ScottWashburn | 08 Sep 2020 10:10 a.m. PST |
So what do you folks use to seal and finish your figures? I've used Testor's Dullcote spray for many, many years and have been very happy with it. But it is getting hard to find these day, not sure why. I've tried other spray-on matt varnishes but none of them seem to work as well and a few have been disastrously bad. So what would you recommend? |
Garand | 08 Sep 2020 10:19 a.m. PST |
In terms of Testors, Rustoleum announced they are killing much of the Testors line. I am not sure what will still be around, probably the little square bottles & associated hobby products with that. But the MM line & MM Acryl lines are getting killed. I use either Krylon flat clear, or use Tamiya Acrylics flat base mixed with Tamiya Gloss Clear (this is the proper way to use it!) thinned with lacquer thinner & sprayed through my airbrush. Damon. |
Fat Wally | 08 Sep 2020 10:47 a.m. PST |
Windsor and Newton Professional Matt spray varnish. |
Night Owl III | 08 Sep 2020 11:02 a.m. PST |
I've found the brush on works just as well if you can find it and a bottle of this will probably last for years.
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Big Red | 08 Sep 2020 11:16 a.m. PST |
Windsor and Newton Professional Matt Varnish. Used Dullcoat for decades but W&N has it beat hands down. Got mine at Blicks. |
rmaker | 08 Sep 2020 11:56 a.m. PST |
I use Ceramcoat brush-on. Works fine. |
NOLA Chris | 08 Sep 2020 12:26 p.m. PST |
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leidang | 08 Sep 2020 12:28 p.m. PST |
Regular testor's dullcote is the same formula as the Model Master's version. AFAIK they are not killing off Dullcote just the Model MAster's brand. |
jdpintex | 08 Sep 2020 12:30 p.m. PST |
Windsor and Newton Professional Matt Varnish. If I can't find W&N, then I use Krylon UV-Resistant Clear Acrylic Coating (Matte). Although I also use this on terrain as it is cheaper than W&N. |
Stew art | 08 Sep 2020 12:34 p.m. PST |
I've been using vallejo Mat varnish and I think it works well. |
45thdiv | 08 Sep 2020 1:14 p.m. PST |
Aquanet super hold hairspray. I have been using this for 30 years now. No paint chips and no discoloring over time. |
14Bore | 08 Sep 2020 1:22 p.m. PST |
Yeah always use to use Dullcote but it's hard to find, have been using Krylon flat spray. |
joeltks | 08 Sep 2020 1:25 p.m. PST |
Another for Windsor and Newton Professional Matt Varnish. |
MajorB | 08 Sep 2020 1:44 p.m. PST |
I just use acrylic paint (Coat d'Arms) that is naturally matt. No need for any sort of varnish or or other finish. |
Major Thom | 08 Sep 2020 2:42 p.m. PST |
I was using Testor's Dullcote, now I am using Tamiya Clear Flat. |
Zephyr1 | 08 Sep 2020 2:44 p.m. PST |
I prefer Dullcote, but use acrylic matte varnish on the cheaper (Bones) minis. I'm still skeptical of using brush-on, though, as I worry about the varnish sticking to other surfaces/minis (even after dry), so I use it thinned down… |
John Leahy | 08 Sep 2020 3:19 p.m. PST |
Totally agree with Windsor and Newton Professional matte spray. Plus you can use a Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon to buy it. I'm an old Dullcote user. It doesn't get close to being as flat as Windsor Newton. Thanks John |
Herkybird | 08 Sep 2020 4:09 p.m. PST |
I use Xtracolor XDFF brush on, and on occasion if it dries a bit gloss use a coat of Lahmian Medium from GW. |
Syrinx0 | 08 Sep 2020 5:08 p.m. PST |
Yet another for Windsor and Newton Professional Matt Varnish. I mix W&N Galeria Matt varnish with Tamiya flat base when I use my airbrush but for a ready to go can, the W&N Professional Matt varnish is the best matt I have used. |
cfielitz | 08 Sep 2020 6:49 p.m. PST |
I like Krylon's matt spray. Seems to work as well as Dull Cote does and much cheaper. |
jwebster | 08 Sep 2020 9:39 p.m. PST |
Part of my justification for an airbrush was so that I could stop using rattle cans I think varnish is important to protect minis. I use ink washes a lot, so a good matt finish is important. A decent flat matt will required gloss or satin varnish to add gloss back to weapons, armour, etc. I have had the best results with Vallejo Premium 62.062 (polyurethane), but it's a little hard to get hold of, hobbylinkc usually has it. Unless they've changed it, it is not correctly labeled for sale in California Vallejo polyurethane matt varnish 27.651 is nearly as good, bought a big bottle from my LGS. It's pretty thick but airbrushes very well without dilution for some reason Airbrushing liquid varnish would be very economical if I didn't keep knocking over the bottles. Haven't tried any other varnishes (other than dullcote in cans), but have never heard anyone say anything bad about the Windsor and Newton John |
Blackhorse MP | 09 Sep 2020 5:43 a.m. PST |
Count me as another of the Winsor & Newton faithful. I used to swear by Dullcote until I saw people talking about W & N here, so I gave it a try. I was stunned. Flattest varnish evah! Give it a try, you won't be sorry. p.s. There's no "d" in Winsor.
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Thomas O | 09 Sep 2020 6:50 a.m. PST |
Krylon flat matt spray is my preferred, I have also used Rustoleum Dead Flat and it is my 2nd choice for figures. For terrain I have been using High Hold hair spray, seems to work well is cheap (go to the Dollar Store). |
Stosstruppen | 09 Sep 2020 6:59 a.m. PST |
Dullcote is my go to, has been for decades. I buy off Amazon, no problems sourcing yet. |
bjporter | 09 Sep 2020 8:36 a.m. PST |
I contacted Testors directly and the representatives that responded to my emails confirmed that they are NOT discontinuing Glosscote or Dullcote. Very shortly after the Hobby Lobby finally got a restock of both. Presumably the recent shortages are related to supply and demand and the virus. When I couldn't find Dullcote, I did try the Windsor Newton Professional. It is extremely flat, which is nice. I got a few small raised spots on some figures. I think it was splatter of some sort. I was able to carefully pick it off of a few figures and had to touch up a few others. |