"Matt varnish after Moana" Topic

For years I've used Moana as my matt varnish, and always had outstanding results. It was also local and cheap.

What are other people in NZ using now? I'd always got my varnish from Gordon Harris; They have spray varnish from Golden, Pebeo, Schmincke and Windsor & Newton. Have any of you used any of these, and what's your verdict?

In the UK I swear by brushed on Winsor (note the spelling) & Newton Galeria acrylic matt varnish.

I also used Moana for years until the supply dried up. I now use Testors Dullcoat spray from the local Model shop. It sometimes dries a bit shiny but a light brush of peobo matt varnish from Gordon Harris soon sorts it out.

Drain off some of the liquid from the top of the peobo first and use just enough water to just dampen the paintbrush went you start

I'm curious as to why a brand of varnish is named after one of the beachside suburbs that separate my suburb from the sea.

Thanks for the spelling tip, Jim. I'm currently using brushed on Pebeo, but it's a bit thick at times; perhaps I just need to thin it more.

I'm curious as to why a brand of varnish is named after one of the beachside suburbs that separate my suburb from the sea.

Probably because Moana is Maori for sea, though how that got to Australia, I don't know. I know there are some streets in Canberra named for NZ joining the Federation, something we haven't done yet.

I use Nuart Matt spray. 400g spray cans last me a long time.

W&N Galleria is good as is Daler Rowney Soluble matt acrylic varnish. Both can be brush painted or airbrushed.

I tend to use DR. I doctor it to have more matting agent to carrier and it dies super matt. When you buy it let the bottle settle out so the matting agent goes to the bottom, then pour off at least half the clear carrier liquid.

Mix up the matting agent with the carrier that's left in the bottle and test it. Chances are it's dry rapidly leaving lots of white streaks and spots. Add in a little more carrier and repeat until it's just at the point of drying super matt but without white streaks or spots.

I have a few 28mm plastic figures painted very dark blue that I use as my test figures when making a new bottle of varnish.

I used to use Moana for MANY years but gave up on it when it gave a granular finish. Tried NuArt, but found the matt finish variable. The last spray I used was a French brand, bought from the French Art Shop when it was in Ponsonby Road. it gave the best matt finish I have ever known but at NZ$60 a can it should have too! I now use the Atelier brush on Matte Varnish that I got from Warehouse Stationery. It gives the best results for me and a single 250 ml bottle for around NZ$30 has coated litterally thousands of figures.

Thanks. I'm trying Testors Dullcoat from Mighty Ape. Works well, but small cans.