The Next Step Part 3: Dispelling Humbrol Enamel Myths

In this final advanced airbrushing tutorial, Jay Blakemore shows how to get the best out of enamel paints and in particular Humbrol varnishes, which have recently acquired a poor reputation among some sections of the modelling community.

Missed parts 1 & 2, read the full series here >> 

Humbrol Enamels Eduard 1/48 Macchi MC.202 Folgore

Above: This Eduard 1/48 scale Macchi Mc.202 Folgore suffered no damage to the decals during the flatting process. Here too, the finesse of the finish can be judged by the soft sheen noted across the wing root and fuselage.

Many current modellers use acrylic paints and/ or varnishes to finish their models, though this has not always been the case. On the surface it seems to make perfect sense to use fast-drying, odourless alternatives to the slow-drying, strong-smelling and toxic enamels of yesteryear, so why do some modellers still insist on using enamels and why am I among their chief advocates?

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