Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to do the test and post the results. I was just about to try Tamiya X-22 myself as an alternative to Testors Clear Gloss thinned with lacquer thinner! Also, much thanks for the hint about where to obtain the "unobtainium" Have been wanting to try that as well, but could not find a viable domestic source.

Thank you for taking one for the team Wil! great little test!

The leveling thinner method seems to me to be the way to go. Good video BTW. Newish (coming back into) the hobby and I like your channel. Nice to see a fellow engineer nerding out.

Will I,m from South Africa and not completely new to scale modeling. I would just like to let you know that every bit of information you give is much appreciated and good to have as it is difficult finding all the products and equipment here.. Thanks your work is really much appreciated.

My opinion on X-22 Enamel: Straight it the bottle it's great for coating small parts like canopies and cockpit parts. If you paint it onto the model without thinning it, it leaves some visible brush strokes but when you run your finger over the surface it's as smooth as glass. It also dries quite quickly (straight out of the bottle) but self levels.

Thank you for taking the time to do this. I need to do a clear coat over Tamiya acrylic and want to use the Tamiya gloss, but the Alclad looks great. I hope the Alclad can go over the Tamiya acrylic. One other note - Tamiya makes a paint retarder, that may slow down the drying time of their gloss paint and allow it to level off better. I am currently looking into this option.

Well here's the thing. It's going to be one of two scenarios, one is your looking for an as is finish where it's good enough for that particular project. The second scenario is regardless of the finish you're going to polish it to take it to the next level, it really doesn't matter how shinny it is. In the second scenario all that matters is that the gloss coat with one or several layers can stand up to polishing compounds so hardness is the key factor here.

Thanks as always for the test and demo videos, Will. Huge help to your brother & sister modelers!

X22 with Tamiya lacquer thinner is perfect for my armour modelling needs, so i'll be trying that one. Thanks for such a great informative video👍

Is this x22 good to spray over steel or silver color to make it harder (durable) ? Or to mix them together from the bigining

Thanks for the great video. I guess one questions is for a particular model such as a high end car model that you want a super glossy factory look, as opposed to just a good all around glossy finish. I don't think the test panels would really be up to the standards of a super gloss. However panel three despite the orange peel you described (which could be taken care of by experimenting with pressure and technique) was the best. I've tried several products, floor polish several coats with very good result. Minwax acrylic gloss varnish. Again very good finish. Vallejo gloss varnish. so so but good. I've tried finishing with Carnauba paste wax. After a few coats very nice finish on top of a spray on gloss. Down side is trying to get was out of the tiny cracks. Buffing with Nylon stockings. Dryer sheets. In the end unless you absolutely need a super gloss for those special high end car models most of the above works fine. For me in the end good ole floor wax several coats then buffed and the minwax acrylic gloss varnish works fine for 80-90% of your gloss needs, plus price per volume they're much cheaper to use. Like you said everybody uses what works for them. Just another point of view from my experiences. Looking forward to your next video.

Theoretically this same procedure should work the same with Tamiya XF-86 Flat Clear & Mr levelling thinner, right?

Great info Will. I appreciate you taking the time to do this.

Want to try the X-22 clear for my next project, since I need a precise way of applying clear coat for decal applications. Currently use a conventional cheap automotive clear spray (both gloss and flat), as well as a glue washed down back then without airbrush for finishing. Decanting the clear spray onto a bottle might be a viable option, but I want to take a bit of a peek of the tamiyas clear coat for my airbrush Good thing I found this video, all of the questions in the mind had answered and made it clear- the question whether needed for thinning the clear acrylic before airbrushing or straight through spray, as well as the outcome if either approach and technique is used. Now I wonder if this also applies to the flat and semi gloss version of tamiya? Can I use a rubbing alcohol to level down the clear in place of the tamiyas provided thinner? I hope this reach out, so I can lay out my J2M2 build after my term. Heres a sub! Thanks :3

Well this may be an old subject but I just discovered another super high gloss finish for Tamiya paints. Like others I found X22 unaccepatble to use and I had some frosting or orange peeling. While searching for some help videos I came across this one (which is a great video btw) and started thinking about others who use a floor polish. Then it hit me that some time ago I had painted some cement with acrylic paints and sealed it with Behr gloss cement sealer. I still had some so why not try it. WOW it sprayed out like butter with an amazing high gloss finish! So give that a try and let me know how you like itas well. Wish I could post a pic. JW

Do you know if Tamiya clear coats are okay to spray over clear plastic? Im wanting to use matteclear coat on a diecast car that i used Tamiya weathering kits on. I've also used Tamiya weathering kits on the windows. Now im wanting to seal the model with clear coat. So yeah, just wondering if the clear coat is safe of the clear plastic windows or if it can ruin them by frosting/clouding them up.

Great explanation and proof of method Will... Nothing more telling than having it in your hand.. I'll have to get some Mr Color Levelng Thinner!

Hi Will, great video. I've have a few questions for you, 1) what's the difference between Aqua Gloss and X-22? 2) can I use enamel based weathering products such as AK-Interactive on top of Aqua Gloss or x-22? 3) can i seal my enamel filter and wash with xf-86? And 4) can I use x-20a to thin both x-22 and xf-86 for spraying. Thanks

Will have you ever tried VMS Vantage modeling solutions clear coats I love all of VMS product's top notch company I think you will definitely like the Finish. I would loved to see you make a video on VMS products.

Nice Video, thank you for your time putting this up.

Just a thought. Matt dull coats are equally contentious and emotive. . The added bonus being the dull coats can frost over, especially on dark paint jobs. I swear by mig ammo matt varnish which is yet to let me down. . I wonder in the future you may consider a similar test on dull coats please?

Is it okay to blast the clear coat with a hair dryer to speed up the process? I want to fix my Transformers Prime Dark Energon Knock Out figure and is my first time using tamiya clear coat.

Any thoughts on Mr. Hobby, Mr. Clear Gloss airbrushed on? It’s a lacquer based concoction, quite thick before thinning and I’ve not tried it yet.

Hey Will, I guess my question and concern is how the lacquer thinned x-22 will react with my XF Tamiya painted surface(s). What paint were you glossing over here? I'm really struggling with gloss coats for doing washes and decal application. I will have to test it out on my own mule. Appreciate your videos!

Used x 22, now there's a few white fingerprints and white marks on it? Is there a way to remove? What should I do

Good test Will. Thanks for sharing

Thanks for the video Sir! Great work, got a glossy-job coming up and found your great video on the subject! Hope everything is good! :) Dave Sweden

I think that another good test for these gloss coats would be to test what we actually put them on for. Try putting a decal on each coat and maybe see how an enamel wash behaves on each.

Mate great video. One question. When you sprayed are 6 what psi did you use? Many thanks

4 is a tad nicer than 5. Interesting to hear you talk about having a virus! and here we are!

Will, I used microscale liquid decal film to restore some older decals. The decals went on great. I was wanting to use Tamiya TS-13 gloss to seal them. And then go back over them with the TS - 79 semi-gloss to finish it up. Are these clear coat safe over my decals? Want to make sure they don't wrinkle them as I've had this happen before. Thank you Johnny

Can the x22 make a blurry plastic glass transparent?

Hi Will, another cool video. I agree that the result of clear coating can be only explicitly demonstrated with video. I want to share my experience in searching "perfect" gloss clear. First, it really depends on the purpose. If you need some gloss on aircraft model just to apply decals and washes, then the main requirement to clear coat for me is that it should be sandable (to eliminate any imperfections, e.g. dust particles) and shrinks well (to save all surface details). And if it dries fast, then it's just another advantage. In this case you can use X-22 as you did in this video. You do not need perfect gloss surface here. And any of the surfaces on that F-22 would be Ok (maybe exception is area Nr 3). Also Gunze acrylic would do the same. BUT. In my experience the best solution is Johnson Pledge Future Wax, which is sold in USA. You guys are very lucky out there to have it, because it is a bit expensive to get it into Europe. I highly recommend it for you! Really! But if you need perfect glossy surface, then I look at this like this. Again, if there are narrow panel lines, rivets, etc. on the surface, then I would do the job with Pledge Future. You can even apply it with brush! For airbrush you can reduce it with vodka or X-20a acrylic thinner 1:1. But for the cars, where the surface is simple with no much details, I would go either with 2K urethane clear coat (Zero 2K, automotive clear) OR I also found that Gunze TopCoat blue can do the great job! Also I heard that guys successfully use Tamiya TS cans. But that TS paint does not like other paints then TS :) It is very risky to apply it e.g. on Tamiya acrylic. On my last bike I use 2K R-M clear coat after paint job is done to smooth it out and prepare for decals. I also apply it on top of decals. But 2K clear is hard to polish to 100% glossiness and use Gunze TopCoat as a final clear coat. It is super glossy and easy to polish. Here is a proof: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g6eXeJyKzdHLfn0.html Enjoy

How does the Tamiya thinner react with decals? I'm laying Tamiya down acrylic and applying decals with MicroSet/MicroSol. I would like to use Tamiya Flat (X86) over the entire model. I really like the idea of blasting the model with thinner but not sure how the: A - thinner with X86 will react to the final finish and B - thinner with decals. Your expert advise is greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

Im still trying to find MY gloss varnish to suit my needs. I think its at the top three most difficult tasks in my modelling. Im occasionally having nightmares with orange peel. I think no.1 looks quite neat.

How does one keep 'floaties' (airborne dust, lint etc) from ending up in ones gloss coat?

were any of the solution more tacky than the other?

How you use Tamiya semi black x - 18

Hello...If my tamiya x22 dried up in the container can I revive it?

Why do you overspray with thinner after gloss coat? Do you overspray thinner on paint as well? Thanks for doing these video's I know it takes a lot of your time, but I learn so much from them.

Tamiya clear has changed my modelling world. For 3 years I have struggled with the chemical make up of the paints and what clear I then put on before panel line or any oil shading and why I get it so wrong all the time. I grabbed Tamiya clear because I thought what the hell ?? I use there paints why not there clear. I even tried our own Aussie made SMS clear ready to spray and it didn’t work for me 🤷‍♂️ It was more than likely the psi I had set or something but it was shit for me. So back to trying Tamiya clear I can only fuck it up again right. At almost 40 : 60 with Tamiya thinner it went down marvellously 🤟 I then threw out my Tamiya dark panel line wash and just made my own with oils and enamel thinner. This combination has finally worked for me and Tamiya clear is it for me from here on out 👍

Hello Will, when I do a wash following the Tamiya gloss, the solvents be they enamel or turpentine melt the gloss, and the underlying paint. Am I doing something wrong?

Can I thin Tamiya X-22 ENAMEL, not Acrylic with Mr. Color Levelling Thinner?

Hi, if you’ve ever used Tamiya TS-13 what’s your opinion of it, I used it on a Ducati 1199 and it dissolved the decals

everytime i try to clear coat my models it gets all cracked up.i used tamiya rattle can clear coat and same thing.what am i doing wrong i have 3 projects with cracked cleat coar.help a brother out and give me some tips please

Thank you for posting this, helps me out (newbie)

You sound like a saldy ole sailor.... I like it. I also appreciate these tests. You know I just go willy nilly with rattle cans, usually Tamiya but the past few models its been this Vaspar stuff. Might go back to Tamiya 22 with the Mr Leveler. Get better Homie

How does Tamiya Acrylic X22 thinned w/ Mr Leveling Thinner compare to say Mr Color GX-100/114 in terms of durability? I love the finish of X22 but am looking for something tougher.

Have you tried Tamyia Lacquer paint retardant? It should stop the paint drying to quickly.

I really like working with Tamiya's paints, but will never use x-22 clear gloss ever again. Used it the first time on my b-25 kit and ruined it, made it look frosty as if it came out of freezer. I thinned it with tamiya thinner. Not sure if that was the right thinner to use. It completely ruined my work. I am open to any corrections or advice what may have been wrong.

Will hope you feel better . I don't know about you but since I i had to retire and stay-at-home and build models all day to get sick a lot easier Then before when someone comes by me sick I always get sick. But good Video like always

Thanks. As a beginner, this is a great starting point. Sold.

Interesting test, in my humble opinion I think 5 is slightly duller than 4 though. Good to see you at the bench again bud and I hope you feel better real soon.

Great information Brother!!! Thanks

Dear Sir, Isnt Tamiya X22 Clear Gloss meant to be added/mixed into Tamiya Flat Paint, and not using it directly over as a top coat? Its similar to the X21 Flat Base, you mixed it together with the paint before u spray. I am also looking for a acrylic top coat when i come across your video. (i just recently picking up hobby modelling again after 15 years - hell i still have my old stock of Humbol & Testor Enamal paint in my cupboard. i was a noob back then, and still is).

I want to do a wash with winton oil, but I see that your own diluent has turpentine, I do not know if I will have a problem, what oil diluent would you recommend? I am new to modeling and I don't want to ruin my tank

One big thing, and I know, I know... its been done to death, BUT: Is there a replacement for the old Future Acrylic Floor finish? Something cheap? Something made of Wondertanium?

dude u are dope im subscribing

Thank you.

X22 with leveling for me.

Why lacker thinner will why not x20a for x22 ?

Probably a stupid question: why thin acrylic x22 with lacquer thinner and not with x20a acrylic thinner?

Is the thinner X20 or X20A???

Yeah, a pain .... is this X-22 Tamyia. I tried a 10:8 X-22:X-20A with 20% flow improver from Vallejo and no avail. I guess i gained orange intolerance

My primary comment is attached to the first left comment but I just wanted to note: USAGundamstore.com (specifically if you’re in the US) is truly the all around best online modeling store I’ve been able to find - they have far better prices then others and of course considering no over seas long and expensive shipments And they are always expanding the store and adding many great new products that we used to have to get from across the pond for a premium so I’m glad you mentioned them. They are fast - inexpensive and have an amazing loadout. It’s obviously mainly Gunpla and sci-fi but they also have incredible prices and selections for tools and supplies and the like. You can easily save $8-$12 on a bottle of MR. Leveling Thinner over amazon or eBay

excellent thanks :-)

Oh boy I remember I used my matte coat tamiya spray can and it completely destroyed my corsairs paint and decals

Look what did you do to that raptor!

pledge for the WIN

Hi Will! Can Tamyia X-22 be used straight out of the bottle, just like Humbrol Clear? If not, how do I thin it to be used on acrylic paint? Thanks!

The Rapid Thinner supports dullness...

Good video

hmm, interestink, i think i have a bottle of x22 knocking about somewhere and may have to give it a go unless of course i can source some aqua gloss in the meantime. always get me thinking which some would say is a bad thing!

12:37 Hi cat! 🐈

The Leveling Thinner supports glossiness...

The spray can works way better.you won't deal with any of that

i like ur videos will

Clear demonstration of how no one cares about the date or weather five years later. Or where you got stuff. A conclusion would have been appreciated, too.

PS. clear gloss nail polish is something to look into. Nail polish colors dry very glossy.

😴

Thinning acrylic with Lacquer thinner. LMFAO!

Thinning an acrylic with lacquer thinner. That’s a fail right at the start.