Strana 10
MR. COLOR GGX
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JOSEF BLAŽEK
existing surface of the model with a result
that we would describe as semi-matte. To the
contrary, the matte varnish, which creates
a very satisfactory flat finish, have another
and fundamental problem, which is the
matting component in the paint causing
a visible ‘graying’ of the surface, and therefore
a change in the shades of camouflage, to which
we can add the loss of our weathering efforts,
if they were applied before spraying with
matte clear coat. Here, in the best sense of the
word, the matte varnish Mr. Color GGX LG113
took my breath away. First, it perfectly dulls
the surface in the first layer, but at the same
time does not create a rough surface with the
above-described effect of changing the shades
of the model. The result is a velvety matte
surface without changes in shades. For this
test, I deliberately applied a flat clear coat onto
a black surface, where the typical problems of
matte varnishes are most evident. In general,
I would recommend diluting the varnishes
with a higher ratio in favor of the thinner.
When adjusting my air brush pressure, a ratio
of 5:1 worked for me. Thanks to the extreme
coverage of the new Mr. Colors Color GGX, we
will achieve the described results without the
risks associated with diluting the varnish too
little. For a deep flat surface, I recommend
diluting the matt varnish Mr. Color GGX LG113
with Mr. Color GGX Rapid Thinner, which itself
helps to create a flat surface. If we want to
slightly reduce the hard flat surface, I would
recommend Mr. Color GGX Thinner, which
helps to create a gloss to semi-gloss surface
and in combination with the flat clear may be
a better choice for many modelers. A similar
logic applies to the Mr. Color GGX LG112, gloss
varnish where we can optimize the degree of
gloss for the individual needs of each modeler
by using different thinners. The last point
that is worth mentioning is the protective UV
properties of GGX varnishes, which we were
able to notice for the first time in the GX varnish
series. Both mentioned varnishes contain
special chemical additives that act as a filter
against ultraviolet light, which is intended to
stop or significantly slow down the aging and
degradation of the model‘s surface over time.
In the case of applying the varnish over decals,
they will not turn yellow even after decades,
which is also true in the case of repainting
clear parts, since some manufacturers use
plastic for clear parts that have a nasty
habit of severe yellowing over time. Another
example concerns vacuformed canopies.
The UV filter also protects the colors of the
model that are prone to losing saturation over
time, such as red or yellow. When applying
Mr. Color varnishes with a UV filter, we are
sure that the result of our work will be stable
for decades and will not change under the
influence of light.
GGX ComPaTibiliTy
As already mentioned, the new GGX series
colors are not a separate chapter in the
development of Mr. Color paints, but are its
next evolutionary step, which has a positive
impact on their compatibility. For the sake of
order, let‘s summarize the possibilities of use.
Mr. Color GGX colors are designed so that they
can be combined without any problems with
classic Mr. Color (C series) and Mr. Color GX
paints. A different situation occurs with the
Aqueous Hobby Color (H series) and Acrysion
(N series) lines. These colors utilize a different
chemical base (water-soluble acrylics and
emulsions). If we try to mix Mr. Color GGX color
with Aqueous or Acrysion color, a chemical
As a guinea pig for testing various Mr. Color flat clear coats, I used a base in the form of black paint, which
I then sprayed with gloss varnish to a mirror finish. This base served as a contrasting surface for creating
a flat surface. I mixed all flat varnishes in the test sample (C182, GX113 and LG113) in the same ratio to make
the test objective and applied them in one continuous layer. Each clear coat could be diluted in individual ratios
and applied in a different number of layers and then better results would be achieved, but the goal of my test
was a direct and objective comparison under the same conditions without favoring individual products. The photo
is taken under direct light without a softbox to make the result more visible. After curing, we can see that the
flat varnish C182 does not create a matte surface as strongly in the first layer as the other two. On the contrary,
GX113 produces flat very strongly, but leaves a rougher surface with traces of ‘graying’ and slightly changes
the shade of the base. Conversely, the new varnish LG113 creates a perfectly deep flat finish without changing
the base shades and came out best among the test subjects.
The test of the gloss varnishes (C046, GX112 and LG112) had similar results to the test of the flat ones,
with the exception that none of the gloss coats visibly changed the shades of the base colors. In conclusion,
it can be said that the difference is mainly in the intensity of creating a gloss finish with one layer, which,
especially in the case of Mr. Color GGX LG112, saves a lot of time and eliminates the need to apply multiple
layers to achieve the desired gloss finish.
INFO Eduard10
August 2026