Favorite spray matte varnishes?

[Orjetax]

The spray matte varnish I've used for years is at last finished. It was games workshop stuff.

I'm happy to branch out, and am looking for recommendations.

I need something available in the US.

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[Lord Chaotl Oml]

I use Army Painter Anti Shine Matt Varnish. Should be available in the US

By changing the distance to the miniature you can nicely regulate how flat it gets. But doesnt seem to be much cheaper than GWs spray.

 

[Asslessman]

Same as Lord Chaotl Oml, it actually saved some disasters I had with some other varnishes (making small droplets that left the miniatures white like I had sprayed them with white primer... )

 

[Galadrin]

I use Armory Clear Matte Sealer and it smells like cinnamon and melting brain synapses. Actually, more like the latter... I can't recommend it.

 

[Naagruz]

Krylon Acrylic UV resistant or regular Matte clear is solid. Living in the U.S., there is always Testors Dullcote. Tamiya flat clear through an airbrush is awesome, but pretty touchy & technical. Acrylic matte is badass for weathering projects.

Frankly, I'd stay the heck away from spray varnish/lacquer unless you are working with large projects. From a realistic perspective, there are too many different finishes on a mini; armor is shiny, rust is matte, blood/mud/drool is glossy etc.

 

[Galadrin]

That's a good point Naagruz, I've never thought about it. Can anyone recommend some pots of clear matte varnish? I have to switch soon before I forget my piano lessons...

 

[Naagruz]

Testors Dullcote brush on is great. It's what I prefer to use for getting the shine out of dips etc.

On the other side, I use Testors gloss lacquer for teeth, drippy stuff, & other shiny items.

 

[Naagruz]

Testors Dullcote brush on is great. It's what I prefer to use for getting the shine out of dips etc.

On the other side, I use Testors gloss lacquer for teeth, drippy stuff, & other shiny items.

Correction, it's called "Model Masters Flat Clear Lacquer Finish" now.

 

[Orjetax]

Testors Dullcote brush on is great. It's what I prefer to use for getting the shine out of dips etc.

On the other side, I use Testors gloss lacquer for teeth, drippy stuff, & other shiny items.

Correction, it's called "Model Masters Flat Clear Lacquer Finish" now.

An interesting notion, have not considered brush on.

Googling revealed some horror stories of removed paint though. How do I use this safely?

 

[phreedh]

I've had problems with acrylic brush-on varnish in the past, with colour from the washes bleeding out into the varnish layer (basically, thinned washes weren't water fast so when I brushed on anything clear on top it would pick up a bit of the wash colour).

I've used spray varnish after that, but to be honest the last few years I haven't varnished anything. I'd be willing to have a go at brush on matte varnish again, to see if the washes I use now behaves better.

 

[Rob_S]

Some disasters with spray varnish frosting some models up, ruining the paint work and wasting hours of my time, has sworn me off the stuff. It's Vallejo brush on all the way now.

I still own and occassionally use Testors Dullcoat, though the conditions have to be absolutely perfect outside for me to chance it.

 

[Magos Explorator]

I've been using spray Testors Dullcote for a few years. I haven't had frosting issues (but I am picking about when I'll spray), but do notice sometimes the spray comes in fits and starts and can drip rather than mist. No ruined models yet but perhaps I'll switch to Army Painter stuff...

I did try brush-on in the past (Winsor and Newton) but found that caused washes to run. I have had success with Vallejo brush-on gloss for painting small areas (e.g. lacquered armour).

 

[ardyer]

I can't believe I haven't chimed in on this yet. Buy an airbrush, use the vallejo air varnish. You get all the events of a spray with out the frosting.

 

[Galadrin]

I always found that a frosted model could be wiped down with a rough paper towel and it would take all the frost off.

 

[ardyer]

I always found that a frosted model could be wiped down with a rough paper towel and it would take all the frost off.

I've also been told that a fresh layer of Testor's gloss cote will fix it.

 

[Naagruz]

Googling revealed some horror stories of removed paint though. How do I use this safely?

I should clarify, the Model Masters is enamel & you shouldn't have problems. Typically, enamel over acrylic or acrylic over enamel is a perfect union as one won't solve the other.

Inks are the one medium you have to be wary of with brush on lacquer as they can be affected.

 

[bug16]

I've had problems with acrylic brush-on varnish in the past, with colour from the washes bleeding out into the varnish layer (basically, thinned washes weren't water fast so when I brushed on anything clear on top it would pick up a bit of the wash colour).

I still use brush on but I've experienced the above when applying the varnish quite soon after the paint and ink had dried. If I leave the model for a few days I don't get the problem. I'd rather do that than risk frosting with a spray varnish.

 

[Greater Harlequin]

I have had varying experiences with spray matt varnishes, mainly the fact that they come up semi gloss. As far as frosting is concerned I have a simple solution. I keep an old painted model to hand who is used as a guinea pig every time before I spray anything else

 

[Asslessman]

I always found that a frosted model could be wiped down with a rough paper towel and it would take all the frost off.

I've also been told that a fresh layer of Testor's gloss cote will fix it.

A fresh layer of anti-shine from AP has saved 10 Nurgle champions and palanquin from frost

 

[Con-fusion]

I seal everything with testors glosscoat spray. This fixes inks and lets me mess around with freehand (screw up some nifty design, and it can be wiped off without messing up the mini). Once everything is done, I seal again (typically finishing by knocking down the shine with a coat or two of dullcote, followed by paint-on model masters gloss where it makes sense). This may seem like overkill, but I have little kids who love minis. My painted stuff has to be ready to sustain a whole lot of wear.

FYI: I can confirm that you can undo the frosting by spraying again.