"Gun shy in varnishing miniatures...what to trust" Topic

Hello there.

The last time I actually varnished finished miniatures was about 2008.

My usual procedure is to do a couple coats, either a gloss coat first and then a matte coat over the top, or two coats of the matte.

I'm concerned about messing this up. I'm aware of humidity and the factors that can play havoc with spray varnishes, I know you have to be aware of temperature and time of year. I've experienced the dreaded frosting, which I was able to fix by applying a brush-on coat of varnish over it.

But what I'm really asking is, what do you use and trust?

I've currently got in my supply arsenal the following:

Citadel matte spray
Army Painter matte spray
Armory matte spray

Testors Dullcote brush-on
Ceramcoat matte brush-on

One of these surely must be trustworthy, yes? Do you get better results with spray or varnish. Do you have a staple varnish that you stand by?

One note; is that I do remember when using Testors Dullcote (the brush-on) on a regiment of Citadel plastics, was that the Dullcote began to lift, smear, and start to remove the paint coat underneath. I had used a combination of Vallejo, Citadel, and Foundry paints on the unit.

Do you know what could have caused Dullcote to lift off the paint? Could it be that not enough drying time was allowed for the paintjob? I let the unit dry for about 48 hours+. Is there something in Dullcote that eats acrylic paint? I know that it is advertised as a decal sealer, but it also says it can be used to convert a glossy finish over to matte. I assumed you could use it over acrylic paints, but maybe it was only intended for oil paint jobs like Testors paints?

Testors Dullcote Spray.

I have been using Testor's Dullcote spray for over 35 years. I have used it over enamels, acrylics, craft paints, and inks. Never had a bad occurrence with using it.

Now I hope that I have not jinxed myself…

Mike

I live in Cincinnati, Ohio, humidity capital of the western world. I hear that Rangoon can be worse. I spray varnish in the heat of summer, in the cold of winter, in ten-minute breaks between thunder storms. I never have a problem. No frosting, no powdering, no melting of paint, on metal or hard plastic or soft plastic figures.

I usually prime my figures with some spray paint or other, occasionally I use brush-on enamel. I paint over with hobby enamels, or hobby acrylics or cheap craft paint. Usually only one kind of paint on a figure because I hate dipping the acrylic brush in the paint thinner and vice versa, but sometimes I'll use different types of paint in different painting sessions. It doesn't matter, I get perfect, beautiful no-problem results every time. Any kind of paint on any kind of figure.

My routine is:

1. Spray one good coat of Testor's gloss-cote. Four to six passes per side, then turn the set of figures and spray all four sides.

2. Let it dry for 48 hours.

3. Spray a second good coat of Testor's dull-cote. Four to six passes per side, then turn the set of figures and spray all four sides.

4. Let it dry for 48 hours.

5. Spray a third good coat of Testor's dull-cote. Four to six passes per side, then turn the set of figures and spray all four sides.

6. Let them dry to the touch, then put them away in a box. You're done.

Beautiful, perfect, consistent, clear, dead-flat results every time. And a nice, protective armor of varnish so that you just can't scratch the paint off.

I've tried other brands of spray varnish, and I don't like them. They're not as tough as the gloss-cote, not as flat as the dull-cote.

I've tried brush-on varnishes, and I don't like them. They go on too thick, and they tend to yellow after a few years. Feh.

Testors. Spray. Gloss-cote. And Dull-cote. Every time. Perfect.

Michael's has the stuff on sale every week, so I only pay about $3 USD/can.

Dullcot Spray…never use brush on. Do what Zippyfusenet said

I use a brush on varnish from Michaels or Hobby Lobby.

Another vote for Testors/Model Masters spray. The gloss coat gives a wonderful, protective layer, and then if you wish you can overlay it with Dullcote, as Zippy said.

Funny thing is, just this past Monday I had a case of frost occur for the first time in years (we've had some pretty humid days here in So Cal). I resisted the initial urge to curse to the heavens, rend my garments and get utterly ripped on strong whisky, instead waiting a few days for the weather to get less humid (till Saturday as it turned out); sprayed another coat and the frost vanished. It's worth noting just in case this ever happens to you. I once threw a set of figures out in a fit of pique and I regret it now. Patience pays dividends.

Good luck with your project!

Airbrush with hobby lobby/Liquidtex matte brush on varnish. Thin with water. It's the main reason I bought an airbrush.

Testors Dull Cote. Krylon Matte Finish still has some shine.

I use the Delta Ceramcoat brush-on here in central Mississippi as low humidity days are scare as snowy days in Hades. It is not truly matte, leaving a slight sheen to the figure. That's OK with me but maybe not with you. Since you have Testor's Dullcote brush-on, I'd recommend you use it for, hopefully, a true matte finish.

Jim

I, too, use Ceramcoat, but the satin finish. I think it looks better.

for decades swore by Testor's Dull Cote – won over by the Army Painter Anti-Shine – love it, love it, love it – Anti-Shine is all I'll use these days

Dullcote spray for sure. I've been using it since the 70s and have never had a problem.

Zippyfusenet wrote:

I live in Cincinnati, Ohio, humidity capital of the western world.

FWIW, when the city fathers of Cincinnati get tired of people complaining about the humidity, they ship them to New Orleans so they can experience what real humidity feels like.

LT

I said, "…humidity capital of the western world." Nawlins is another place entirely.

I paint with Vallejo paints and so use 2 coats of their brush on gloss coating. When dry I spray on 1 coat of Testors Dullcot. AND I MAKE SURE THERE IS NO WIND (OR ME BLOWING ON IT!). Wind always seems to make the dullcot crackle; No idea why.