Using matte finish only

[Flow]

Hello!

I've completed my obligatory time of lurking, and now feel it is time to shamble forth and start asking questions. The information provided in these forums has been *great* so far. This is a new hobby for me (except for those miniatures I ruined when I was 12 (that was a long time ago)), and I'm enjoying it immensely.

So - on finishes. So very often I've read people discuss using a gloss finish first with a miniature to give it a protective coat, and then use a matte finish to cut down the shine. My question is - given that the matte finish also protects the miniature (I mean - doesn't it?), why even use the gloss at all? Shouldn't just using a matte finish be enough?

I'm currently using a satin finish and do still find it to be a tad glossy. I'm thinking of respraying a bit of matte, and wondering if in the future I could get away with only using matte.

Thanks!

 

[Einion]

Hey dude, welcome.

This basically comes down to: play or display? If you need to play with your miniatures it's a good idea to gloss varnish then matt them down because you're applying a thick protective finish that'll withstand a lot of use and abuse.

If you're just painting for display though, just using the matt overcoat is perfectly fine (preferable in fact).

There are a number of previous threads on this subject, here's the most recent one:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums...ed-minis-with-gloss-and-matt-varnish-together

Einion

 

[PegaZus]

Welcome! I've recently stopped doing the gloss first coating on my miniatures. They are display only, so didn't feel I needed super duper protection. What I'd heard and taken to heart is that the gloss coat is there to be a warning sign that the matte coat has worn off and that means it is time for another coat of matte. If it was just the matte, then once it is worn through, the actual paint is then being worn off.

 

[freakinacage]

Gloss is generally tougher so gloos then matte will be stronger, but if you are displaying only, matte would be better, if any at all

 

[Flow]

So gloss *is* stronger - okay. So far these are display only and I'm just in it for the fun. I'll have to pick up some matte on the way home and experiment. I suppose I was afraid of it dulling the color too much; then again, the gloss is just the opposite. I painted an ancient Grenadier werewolf and tried to make his base look like grass. With the gloss it looks more like wet green slime, lol.

Thank you for the quick answers!

 

[Einion]

Gloss can be stronger, it depends on the varnish type mainly.

In a mini-painting context, the gloss varnish is often something more robust like poly and it's applied more heavily; then the matt overcoat is a hobby-level varnish applied thinly, so there's obviously going to be a difference in their wear characteristics for both reasons.

I'll have to pick up some matte on the way home and experiment.

Buy carefully - our standards for matt aren't the same as in other contexts (if you haven't read them, see the many prior threads on matt varnishing).

I suppose I was afraid of it dulling the color too much...

There is a certain inevitability to this. Any given colour will look more saturated with a gloss finish and more pastel (lighter and duller) with a matt finish.

Einion

 

[Flow]

Buy carefully - our standards for matt aren't the same as in other contexts (if you haven't read them, see the many prior threads on matt varnishing).

I ended up going with Krylon - I've seen the brand mentioned fairly consistently here and elsewhere, plus - it's cheap!

 

[Bartali]

Remember a matt varnish will kill any metallics. I normally spray satin varnish over all of the mini, then brush on matt over the non-metallic parts.

 

[Einion]

Remember a matt varnish will kill any metallics. I normally spray satin varnish over all of the mini, then brush on matt over the non-metallic parts.

Wouldn't doing the reverse be a little easier?

What do you use for your brush-on matt by the way?

Einion

 

[Flow]

Here's a related question - is it okay (as in not destructive) to apply spray can matte varnish with a brush? Meaning, can I take a spray can, spray a bunch on, say, a paper plate, and then carefully dab it specifically where I want it to go? Or would it be better to get "brush on" matte varnish for this purpose?

 

[Phoulmouth]

So gloss *is* stronger - okay. So far these are display only and I'm just in it for the fun. I'll have to pick up some matte on the way home and experiment. I suppose I was afraid of it dulling the color too much; then again, the gloss is just the opposite. I painted an ancient Grenadier werewolf and tried to make his base look like grass. With the gloss it looks more like wet green slime, lol.

Thank you for the quick answers!

Its not necessarily that gloss is stronger, its more that it is thicker. If you plan to play with your models they will eventually get bumped around or dropped. Hell even just putting them in the foam trays will rub off a thin matte or satin varnish.

One thing I didn't see mentioned though, and this is super important. Make absolutely sure to allow the gloss coat to dry 100% before following up with a matte or satin varnish. There is nothing worse then being really happy with a paint job to have the varnish cloud up or ripple on the fig. Always allow dry time between coats of varnish.

Also! Here is a nice little trick. After doing the 3 coats (Gloss - Matte - Matte) you can then take a brush on gloss back to any particularly shiny bits like wet gore or super shiny metals for that added depth.

 

[Flow]

That's a good tip!

I'll likely break down and buy some brush on gloss and matte soon; I was just looking for an easy way out.

 

[Flow]

Alright - newb question here.

I bought brush on matte and gloss. Now - I've gotten such in the habit of thinning anything I use. Should "brush on" varnishes be thinned?

I'm leaning towards "yes" (actually, I'm doing "yes"), but looking for confirmation.

 

[noblez]

Yes, is better putting severall thing layers of varnish than a thick one.
Think that if you put to much varnish you are going to change the original.

 

[Flow]

Yes, is better putting severall thing layers of varnish than a thick one.
Think that if you put to much varnish you are going to change the original.

I realized this definitely was true! I didn't thin it even enough. Left a couple of cloudy patches on my miniature's cape that I had to repaint.

 

[noblez]

To do it as thin as possible I ever use aerograf but it is not mandatory.