I am still working on the renovation and rebasing of the 15mm Hadendowa figures in my collection. So far, I have removed them from their old bases, touched up any obvious wear-and-tear damage, and have glued them to their new bases. The next stage will be to give each figure a coat of gloss varnish before I finish of the bases. The latter involves painting the edge of each base with matt black paint and flocking the base with naturally-coloured powdered cork.
A couple of days ago I noticed that I was beginning to run short of Humbrol gloss polyurethane varnish and decided to order some from the Airfix website. I was amazed to discover that it is not in stock ... and when I checked elsewhere online, supplies seem to be very limited ... and some of the supplies that are available are being sold at ridiculously high prices. I have no idea why this situation has arisen, but I did find it rather worrying as I tend to gloss varnish all my figures.
Annoying shortages in odd items are cropping up more frequently. Looking forward to seeing your newly renovated figures.
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteI’ve heard both Brexit and the War in Ukraine blamed for the shortages, but I have also been told that Humbrol were moving away from oil-based paints for environmental reasons.
Whatever the reason, it’s very annoying, especially when some stockists are using it as an excuse to try to charge silly prices.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob....I use Humbrol paints too and the availability is often very hit and miss. I have often found the website out of stock but I find local shops can have supplies. Try Hobbycraft if you have a local branch otherwise its just a case of searching. Regards Tony
ReplyDeleteTony Adams,
DeleteI took your advice and tried the local branch of HOBBYCRAFT … but they had almost no Humbrol paint on sale. They seem to have moved over to stocking Revell paint instead … but they had no Revell gloss varnish on their shelves.
I’ll keep looking … but more in hope than expectation that I’ll find some gloss polyurethane varnish.
All the best,
Bob
If you cannot get Humbrol varnish, I'd recommend the following:
ReplyDeleteWilco Ultra Tough clear gloss
https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-ultra-tough-quick-dry-clear-gloss-varnish-25-0ml/p/0314976
It's water based which makes it easier to wash brushes. Looks cloudy in the tin but applies clear (avoid air bubbles when brushing on). Gives a nice gloss finish and is touch dry in minutes.
Neil
Neil Patterson,
DeleteThanks for the suggestion. I’ll look for Wilco’s varnish when I next visit our nearest branch.
All the best,
Bob
Ronseal or Wickes is another option.
ReplyDeleteSimon
Simon,
DeleteThanks for the useful suggestion.
In the past I’ve used tinted Ronseal varnish (light oak, I think) to add shadows to figures.
All the best,
Bob
Some is available on Amazon, £7.99 for a bottle
ReplyDeleteRadblight,
DeleteThanks for the suggestion.
The problem that I have with the varnish that is on sale on Amazon is the fact that the seller is listing them at twice the price it should be … which seems like they are exploiting the shortage.
All the best,
Bob
There's some on eBay:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150-COLOURS-OF-HUMBROL-14ml-ENAMEL-MODEL-PAINT-GLOSS-MATT-METALLIC-AIRFIX-HORNBY/362873086809?hash=item547cebe359:g:JQUAAOSwZ2ZeY6KJ&pageci=34182ce9-f2e2-466b-95bb-e49f30f5eafc&redirect=mobile
Neil
Neil Patterson,
DeleteThanks for the link. I’ve now ordered some varnish, and hopefully it will arrive before my current supply runs out.
All the best,
Bob