"Converting gloss figures to matte finish" Topic

Ok, I am sure this has been asked before, but here goes; I bought some toy soldiers at a show this past weekend. Some very expensive out of production toy soldiers that were apparently sprayed with a gloss finish as the former owner was a gloss collector, not a matte finish collector.

If I were to spray these with Testors Dullcote, would the gloss finish be gone and the original (or close to orginal) matte finish be the end result, or will the dullcote dry to a white haze and completely ruin the figures.

Any assistance/advice would be appreciated………..

I spray with a gloss finish to protect a figure. I have heard that gloss is tougher. Maybe yes, maybe no.

Then, to make it look "normal", I spray with Dullcote.
Works fine.

If you have reservations, it's best to mask a figure with plastic wrap, and do a test spray on an inconspicuous area.

I also spray with Dullcote figures that I have varnished with The Dip. This is a glossy urethane stain.
Again, the Dullcote works fine, with no hazing.

If you DO get hazing, it's a humidity issue. I forget if it's because the humidity is very low, or very high. Or, a temperature issue? Idunno, it's never happened to me.
It's cured by spraying again with gloss, and then spraying with Dullcote when the conditions are better.

What he said.

Gloss is stronger because there are fewer (or no) solids in it. The chemical bond between molecules is chain to chain with nothing to get in the way.

Many of us use a gloss coat prior to the matte finish. Unless there is a problem with your spray – you should not have any haze. Be sure to give them a good cleaning though (light detergent like dish washing liquid). Oils from handling and the environment over time can cause issues under sealants.

High humidity can cause havoc on priming. I would say you want 50% relative humidity or less. Low temperatures can cause problems too. You can get around this by putting the can in warm water (you do store you cans INSIDE your house, right?) If you keep your spray cans in the garage, they will need to be brought up to room temperature. 70 degrees F and up will work fine, a few degrees cooler shouldn't matter but I would still warm up the cans in warm water.

Never spray paint on a very humid day or a rainy day. You can get around some of these problems with a home made spray booth and spraying inside. Your climate control in the house also controls humidity to a certain extent. If you are lucky enough to have a dehumdifier, you are really set!

As John says, gloss or semi-gloss first. Let dry thoroughly and then matte varnish. There are matte acrylic varnishes as Craft stores that may be a better value than Dullcote but the Testors is legendary for working well. Me, I use a satin coat and get a semi-gloss. Doesn't look right for clothing but I paint a lot of stuff with armor. Will probably be going matte now that I am painting WWII and Napoleonics again.

And yes, gloss is more durable John. A well known fact in the paint industry. The Shakers used it in their home because of durability when handled and scrubbed.

I think John and the other respondents pretty much answered your question well enough! I will only add that if you read the rather small print on any can of spray paint, or varnish they recommend not using the product in temparatures below 50F degrees, or above 78F degrees. Also, never spray when the relative humidity is above 50%.

I like many gamers/collectors use a gloss coat as a first coat (for the protection), then flat coat a second coat (for the right look). I will use a piece of balsa wood, or a stirring stick that's been painted as a test piece before I ever spray a figure. Once I'm satisfied the test spray is right I know I can spray the figures under the current conditions.

Ok, I am sure this has been asked before, but here goes; I bought some toy soldiers at a show this past weekend. Some very expensive out of production toy soldiers that were apparently sprayed with a gloss finish as the former owner was a gloss collector, not a matte finish collector.

If I were to spray these with Testors Dullcote, would the gloss finish be gone and the original (or close to orginal) matte finish be the end result, or will the dullcote dry to a white haze and completely ruin the figures.

Any assistance/advice would be appreciated………..

How about don't do it? You bought "toy soldiers" right? Not wargame miniatures that were painted by someone and gloss varnished for protection. Toy soldiers, as a rule, are painted with gloss paints to capture that retro look. Spraying Dullcote on out of production toy soldiers will ruin their collectability and value should you wish to resell them.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

The figures were painted with matte finish paints, then the former owner glossed them.

What I am trying to do is restore them to their original, ie, matte finish.

The reality is by him gloss finishing them, he in fact ruined the collectability of them, I am trying to get them back to the original look, thus the dullcote over the gloss coat.

The hazing/frosting risk is a real one with spray varnishes though it's only rarely happened to me, but always do a test spray on something not valuable first.

Or better still, use a brush on matte varnish. I especially reccomend this with figures of any real value.

The reality is by him gloss finishing them, he in fact ruined the collectability of them, I am trying to get them back to the original look, thus the dullcote over the gloss coat.

Sorry to read that.

The "gloss finish is stronger" is one of the great myths of this hobby…

Spraying Dullcote over a gloss finish will certainly cut the gloss, but it will not look as flat as if you used Dullcote in the first place.

You will get something closer to a "satin" finish instead.

Whatever you do, Double G, don't inadvertantly reach for the Primer instead of the Dullcote.

After purchasing the figures from The Glosser, did you inform him that he was an applehead for gloss coating them?

"Whatever you do, Double G, don't inadvertently reach for the Primer instead of the Dullcote."

This is a rite of passage for every miniature painter. And for all those who protest that this will NEVER happen to them – just wait . . .

The "gloss finish is stronger" is one of the great myths of this hobby…

this is true. very big myth. not based in fact.