"Good sealant for models?" Topic

I worked long and hard on my last army and finally finished. Does anyone advise against using some sort of sealant? If you do seal your figures, what's a reliable brand that won't destroy my work or make it glossy? (I'm located in the US for purposes of product availability). If this is a bad idea, please tell me.

I've used Testor's Dulcote for years and always had good luck with it.

How many figures?

Arny painter spray varnish gives a very matt finish.

Second the Testor's Dullcote rec.

Third on dullcote.

Fourth vote for Dullcote, but I've had trouble if weather is very hot, otherwise brilliant.

I have been using Testor's Dullcote for over 35 years, I have been stupid from time to time and tried other finishes. Dullcote is the best, hands down.

I also have used Dullcote for years with no problems. Just be sure that whenever you seal coat that it's low humidity to eliminate the possibility of "frosting" on the model.

I use plastidip here in the UK. Its a spray rubber that forms a matt clear coat. Very tough. Then a light spray of matt varnish over it to remove the rubbery feel and you have a very strong covering.

Testors Dullcote for me too

Make a test on something else before you spray your figures. I had a disaster once.

Testors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mike Adams

I use Vallejo matt polyurethane. Tough, flexible and flat.

Why the questions? Why the doubts? Testor's Dullcote is, for me, the be all, end all.

Dullcote or "your favorite brand of paint's recommended sealer". I have used Americana acrylic paints and varnish for 20 some years now and have never had a problem. I never used to seal any of my figures. However, once I started I can't believe I was ever that foolish!

Gave up on Dullcote, recently. It has become too scarce and very expensive here in the UK. Windsor and Newton Professional Matt does the job rather better, at half the price!

To answer the original post, there are some painters here on TMP who advise against sealing to save effort and possible issues; they will say a good primer is all you need.

Personally I am with corporalpat -- I didn't use to seal but now I can't believe I was ever that foolish.

For brands, I too say Testors Dullcote is the bomb.

For alternatives, you're mostly worried about 2 factors: will the solvent eat the paint? and, will it yellow over time?

As a general rule, lacquer is safe over acrylics or oils, so is acrylic, and so is oil. But the best way to be sure the alternative won't eat your paints is to test it. I use a big terrain piece or similar that is easy to re-paint if I screw anything up.

(And I can also say from experience the advice about low humidity is solid.)

FYI, Dullcote is a lacquer, so its solvent base is different from either acrylic or oil paints, and it dries fast. I suspect these factors contribute to its success among modelers as much as its superb matte quality.

For yellowing, read the label about how UV-resistant the product is. Artist quality products will always say. Professional products usually say. Ditto modeler's products. Hobby / Craft products may or may not. If it doesn't say, try the manufacturer's web site, but safest is to assume it must yellow over time or they would have advertised that it didn't.

Although bear in mind the yellowing is mostly caused by exposure to sunlight, so if your figures will always be packed away from UV light, it may be less of a factor for you.

Tarantella: I have about 350 Republican Romans and 60 cav figs.

Is Dullcote an aerosol or do you paint it on with a brush. Brush method will take a while for all those figs…

(I spent 4 years working on the army, so I'm just trying to be pretty safe…)

Most of these varnishes are available in liquid and aerosol form.

It depends on the basing and the amount of handling a figure will get and also if a dip coat has already been used in the painting process (which is a layer of varnish in itself).

There are various options but for heavy wargame use I would lightly spray overall with an aerosol varnish, then brush varnish the usual points of contact ie. heads, horses heads especially the ears, hooves and tails.

After giving plenty of time to dry finish off with another light overall spray.

Shake well and always test such products and techniques on something of no value first! This is not just for getting the technique right but for also being happy with the end result particularly how the colours look. Some matt varnishes take the 'edge' off metallic colours so touching up with a satin or gloss varnish may be in order.

Dullcote that I use is an aerosol.

As Tarantella mentioned, most come in liquid and spray. Dullcote is one of those and comes in a liquid as well. I've use both with no problems. You can't go wrong either way, but always test first if you have any doubts. You shouldn't have a problem, but for your peace of mind-especially after working on the army for so long-simply test it to be sure it's what you like. Remember to use it on an optimal day when there is low humidity. Humidity can be a problem anytime when you're painting.

Dullcote.

Simply the best in my experience.

I haven't seen testers dull cote in years. Where are you getting it?

Speaking of humidity, is that what causes some spray primers to forms a kind of grainy coating? Or is that caused by over priming? 'Cause down here in the Deep South we are no strangers to humidity and that happens to me occasionally…

The grainy primer coating is from the paint drying in the air before it hits the model. It can be caused by too hot / too dry air, spraying from too far away, not mixing the can enough, paint going bad in the can, or a combination of these. Possibly also by high humidity though I am less sure.

Strip the model.

Next time shake thoroughly (3 min). Test spray until you find a distance that puts the paint on still wet. If you can't then try another can. If it works throw out the first can. If neither work then don't spray that day.

Seems to be some love here for Dullcote. I 2nd, 3rd, and 4th that. Simply the best I've ever used. And if you have a Michael's craft store chain in your area you can get a 40% off online coupon too. The other craft stores(Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby) probably have them too.

Mars, you say you've been working on your army for 4 years without any wargaming with it? Wow that's discipline.

No, not quite that discipline….I waited until I had 2/3 painted (and – more imporantly – an opponent)….4/6 "legions" of 16 units (velites ad usque triarios)and at least one cav unit per flank…enough to form a semi-respectable battle line.

Lost some, won some since then. But still haven't used my entire MRR army yet. Maybe after I paint up the Pyrrhic army…