AK Interactive Ultra Matte Varnish 60ml – The Original Dead-Flat Acrylic Formula
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"The Original One" – AK Interactive's own product page labels this as "the original" — the pre-3rd-Generation formula that launched the ultra-matte category in scale modeling over a decade ago. Still in production because competition painters specifically request it over newer reformulations.
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Extreme Thin Consistency – Noticeably thinner than AK's later reformulations and far thinner than Tamiya or Model Master flat coats. Most airbrushes spray it straight from the bottle without pre-thinning, which saves the step of mixing a separate working cup.
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Built for Display, Not Handling – The high matting agent concentration produces the deepest possible flat finish but makes the cured coat more fragile than standard matt varnishes. The right choice for figures, busts, display models, and photography subjects. Gaming miniatures that get handled regularly are better served by a more durable finish.
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Eliminates Reflection for Photography – Glossy finishes blow out white balance under studio lighting and obscure detail in macro photography. This varnish kills every trace of shine — why 28mm and 75mm bust painters use it for portfolio pieces and social media submissions.
📝 Product Description
Standard matte varnishes leave residual sheen that reads as unnatural on figures under focused display lighting. AK Interactive Ultra Matte Varnish takes that sheen to zero — what one reviewer described as "so flat that your black becomes a black hole." This is AK's pre-3G formula, kept in production because many painters have used it for years and trust its specific behavior over newer formulations.
The 60ml dropper bottle is the smaller, lower-price option in AK's ultra-matte line. For modelers who varnish occasionally, or who want to sample the formula before committing to a larger format, this is the right starting size. The waterborne acrylic chemistry is odorless, non-toxic, and thins with AK-712 Acrylic Thinner when heavier dilution is needed. Apply only as a final sealing coat — not a preparation varnish.
💡 How to Use
Shake the bottle thoroughly before every use — the matting agents settle at the bottom and must be fully redispersed or the finish will be patchy. Apply over fully cured paint and completed weathering. For airbrush application, the thin consistency usually sprays directly from the bottle at low pressure in multiple light passes. If heavier dilution is needed, use AK-712 Acrylic Thinner (not AK11500, which pairs with AK's 3rd Generation line). For brush application, dip lightly and apply in thin even strokes without overworking. Two light coats produce a more consistent finish than one heavy coat and reduce the chance of the cured surface powdering under handling. Allow 12 hours for full cure before handling. Test on a scrap surface first.
📐 Specifications
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Brand: AK Interactive
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Product Name: Ultra Matte Varnish
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Product Line: Original Acrylic Varnish (pre-3rd Generation)
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Finish: Ultra Matte (Dead-Flat)
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Style Number: AK183
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UPC: 8436535571838
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Formula: Waterborne Acrylic, Non-Toxic, Odorless
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Volume: 60ml Dropper Bottle
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Compatible Thinner: AK-712 Acrylic Thinner, or distilled water
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Apply Over: Fully Cured Acrylic, Enamel, or Lacquer Paints
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Best For: Figure painting, bust painting, competition entries, display models, photography
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Drying Time: 12 hours full cure
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Country of Origin: Spain
