Make a shiny PVC surface matt?

[Dan S. MacAbre]

I covered up our nasty artex ceiling with some tongue-and-groove PVC cladding. It's not brilliant, but it was an easy way of hiding what was there (which was truly awful), and I'm happy with it. I'd be a bit happier, though, if it wasn't so shiny when the lights were switched on. It makes it look almost glossy, which wasn't the effect I was after (I did buy matt panels). I was wondering if there's something I can paint over it that will be mostly transparent (it has an unconvincing woodgrain pattern, which I would nonetheless prefer to keep visible), but will take the shine off it? I think buying tins of matt varnish would probably cost a fortune, and might even damage the PVC.

[Andy Burns]

If you've got a few offcuts left, you could test out a matt spray varnish such as this ...

It seems to be available from B&Q/Homebase/Amazon etc

[ss]

I had a photographer that took loads of food product pics with glossy packaging and he used a similar product to stop them glaring, seemed to be successful enough.

[dennis]

He probably used a polarizing filter. They can remove a lot of reflections as long as its not a metal surface.

[Dan S. MacAbre]

Looks good, although I'd prefer not to spray it.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Stuff used in TV was called AntiFlare. An aerosol of, I'd guess, a type of wax. Think it got banned. ;-)

[spuorgelgoog]

Similar products still available, but possibly not the original forumaltion

A very very fine abrasive paper would probably matt the surface - or even polish with something like brasso

Owain

[Brian Gaff]