"White Glue as Varnish ?" Topic

I recently discovered that white glue mixed with water 4 or 3 to 1 makes excellent flat finish. I was wandering if it also gives protection as a varnish.

I usually use combination of gloss and flat can sprays, but because of the bad weather and other circumstances it's inconvenient right now.

Have you ever tried watered down white glue as a PROTECTIVE VARNISH and what was your experience? Thanks.

I've used thinned white glue as a protective finish on terrain. It definitely helps. I generally use 33-50% glue, the rest water. Basically you saturate the terrain with a topcoat of thinned glue, being careful not to touch it if it's soaked in and softened the adhesive holding the flock on, and it dries rock hard.

On figures, it should do the same thing. But I'm never confident it works because it's runny and it seems like I can't get a good coat on the high points of a figure -- raised weapon, helmet horns -- which are exactly what most need protecting. So I tried a few experiments but always finished off with a real varnish just to be sure.

I used to think white glue made a poor man's matte finish on figures but eventually decided I was deluding myself. Satin stayed satin. Gloss stayed gloss. However, if it works for you, more power to you.

It can also turn milky in high humidity.

I'd just wait till the weather improves and spray.

I live in the North East USA and weather is bad for at least 3 months. Can't wait that long. I also live in a small apartment and can't spray inside.

I have never heard of this on figs.
Terrain, yes, but I have never had good results with it…

I wouldn't use it on figures, as with age and humidity it will either turn to dust or turn sticky.

Also: test your glue first to make sure it dries clear. I'm having to re-do some terrain after using the wrong white glue… it dried white!

My Elmers white all purpose glue dried clear and flat. I stopped using cheap white glue from China long time ago. It turned my snow yellow and smelled badly.

I'd stick with varnish. Glue will only bring you grief.

White glue (PVA here) was my first varnish when painting 1/72 plastic figures, because it bends with the soft plastic. I always found it a little glossy, but very effective. I still have figures where I used white glue varnish that have kept their paint better than some sprayed ones. If you can get a flat finish with the glue I say go for it.

Get some brush on varnish for these winter months. I have also used white glue to seal terrain but because it does yellow I always use a spray varnish over it….frankly the glue seal is just used to allow the spray seal over any exposed area of foam I might otherwise melt.

I was getting brush on varnish in art stores, but even though they all said "matte" they still came out glossy. I tried at least 3 of them. When I complained to the art store owner he smiled and recommended to use watered down white glue. That's how I discovered it.

I haven't used the craft store brands in years for that very same problem. I recall finding one that worked but even that I stopped using in favor of Vallejo Matt Varnish (I don't brush varnish matte that often and the Vallejo stuff has a superior shelf life).

Vallejo Matte Varnish sounds like something I may try if need be.

The Vallejo label actually reads "Matt Varnish"…so if you have trouble finding it that might be why.

White glue dries milkly looking.
It also gets sticky again in warm humid air.

Go for it!

IGWARG1, I've been known to spray in the laundry room late at
night.

TNI!

i have heard that under development a cyro is being developed with a matt finish for varnishing……