Clear coating miniatures

Just wondering how many of you clear coat/seal your miniatures after you're done painting. I used to use Floquil (which I don't think is available anymore) then moved to Testors Dullcote. I always have to test the Dullcote on the wood where my minis are first to see if it's actually dull or has a sheen. Sometimes I've gotten the odd can that has a satin finish, which is what I DON'T want. Then I give a very light spray from pretty far away to minimize globbing.

I have always used Humbrol acrylic matt spray and from the tin. I get a good matt finish most of the time but it has caused the odd issue over the years!

Thanks for input Coldm. Sounds like no matter the product, there's bound to be the odd batch that causes a glitch.

I tried Tamiya matt spray varnish after many years of not using it and it gave a good result.

Thanks OTB!

I bought a can of Testor's Dullcote last year and I just broke it open to do a test spray. So far it appears to be clearing nice and flat as it cures.

I have used that for the last few years with good results but it is harder to get here and my local model shop stocks Tamiya.

I have been using Testors Dullcote for a long time.

Yeah I never strayed much from the Dullcote over the years, except for a brief year with Floquil. Haven't really tried anything else.

I forgot how much I love the lacquer smell.

I use Mr Hobby super clear matt varnish since many year and I’m very happy with him!

I use the Winsor and Newton matt varnish. You can get it through an airbrush wich speeds up application
Here is a link to Amazon, I know its in German but you can find it on .com as well

https://www.amazon.de/Winsor-Newton-3040802-Schutzschicht-Acrylbildern/dp/B002AF6QTC/ref=asc_df_B002AF6QTC/?tag=googshopde-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=256379870113&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5219487921788640894&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9043746&hvtargid=pla-350590171393&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Over nearly 50 years I have tried just about everything and since they started taking all the good ingredients out of varnish about 10 years ago, because idiots were drinking it, its become quite difficult to find varnish that is seriously matt rather than silk.

Then I discovered Pebeo Matt picture varnish WHICH IS FANTASTIC. By far the best varnish I have ever used.

It comes in Acrylic and Oil paint versions but I have tried both on figures and both work.

Interesting. Might have to give that a try.

Is that the spray? Or the bottle for brush on application Paul?

Paul@ Empress wrote:Over nearly 50 years I have tried just about everything and since they started taking all the good ingredients out of varnish about 10 years ago, because idiots were drinking it, its become quite difficult to find varnish that is seriously matt rather than silk.

Then I discovered Pebeo Matt picture varnish WHICH IS FANTASTIC. By far the best varnish I have ever used.

It comes in Acrylic and Oil paint versions but I have tried both on figures and both work.  

A good tip. I just did a search and see that my local art stores stock this too.

Nice. I'm trying to find it locally as well. My GF will have to pick it up though, as I'm kinda quarantined for the time being.

I think a spray version of the Pebeo is what I'm trying to find first.

I'm wondering if this will work. It's Pebeo Matt Varnish. It doesn't say "picture" varnish, but I think it's the same thing:

https://store.opusartsupplies.com/sagro/storefront/store.php?mode=showproductdetail&product=95577

Yes thats the stuff.

You can get the acrylic one which is the best for me as I paint in acrylic. It has a white tin with blue bands.

Or the same thing but for Oil paint. Thats the one in the picture with the yellow bands.

Due to the virus I could not get much of the blue one so risked it and ordered some yellow and it has worked the same so all good.

As you can see its a spray can. Just follow the usual instructions for these things and all is good.

Perfect! Thanks Paul!

Here is a post I put on TMP on the topic when someone asked about DullCote.

"Best Clear Flat Spray Ever"

I have been using clear flat spray on figures since Dullcote first came out. I have been painting wargame figures since at least the early 60s. The cans kept getting smaller and the price higher.

Then some years ago I started having trouble with it not always drying flat. People attributed that to temperature (too high or too low), too much humidity, too thick of a coat, too soon after my gloss clear coat, too soon after my paint job, and to a change in formula due to meeting EU standards.

Other people said it always worked for them.

I tried a number of others, just about every other clear flat spray with only mixed results.

Then I tried Winsor & Newton Professional Matt Spray Varnish. I started using it at least since 2017.

Here are the results after spraying 100s of figures and lots of vehicles, buildings, earthworks and other terrain pieces.

Temperature in the 40s F - dried flat.
Temperature in the low 90s F - dried flat.
Humidity 92 per cent - dried flat.
Thick coat - dried flat.
Thin coat - dried flat.
Sprayed clear gloss (Krylon or Rustoleum) at 1:30 pm and W/N Matt at 4:00 pm, same day, - dried flat.

It has never, ever failed me.

My experience with clear sprays made in the US is that "matt" or "matte" usually means semi-gloss or satin. W/N is made in Britain and matt means perfectly flat.

The price from Dick Blick is very good. It has always been discounted. I have not price checked for a while, but the last time I did I found Dick Blick’s discounted price is $9.56 for 400 ml (13.53 ounces according to Siri). That is less than 71 cents an ounce.

The cheapest I saw Dullcote was 3 ounces for $4.77. That is over $1.59 per ounce!!

I read at least one post saying W/N was more expensive than Dullcote. The price per can is a lot more, but you get a whole lot more.

Here is a link to the product at Dick Blick:

www.dickblick.com/items/00486-1006/

Don't be put off by the warning that the paint has to dry for at least 6-12 months before applying the product to the paint. That may be for artists oils which take an extremely long time to thoroughly dry unless a drier is added. I do it within hours of my gloss coat which I put on the day after I finish my painting.

I sent Winsor & Newton an email asking about shelf life as I intended to buy six cans at a time. The response indicated that the question was interpreted to mean a can that had been started. The answer was that there was no known shelf life limitation. What I bought in April of 2018 is still fine.

If you try it, I hope your results are as good as mine.

***Note. Winsor & Newton also makes a General Purpose Matt Varnish. It is a different product. Cheaper it seems. My experience is only with the Winsor & Newton Professional Matt Spray Varnish.

Tom

@ Tom: Thanks for posting that.

@Paul: Got my Pebeo Matt Varnish yesterday. Gave it whirl today. AMAZING STUFF! Dried super flat.

It's nice to know that Tom - I can get that stuff here too.

BravoSix wrote:@ Tom: Thanks for posting that.

@Paul: Got my Pebeo Matt Varnish yesterday. Gave it whirl today. AMAZING STUFF! Dried super flat.

EXCELLENT!!!!