Brush on matte varnish sugestion

[count zero99uk]

Can anyone suggest a good inexpencive water based matte varnish for my minis.

I cant use spray varnish and preferably would need something without too many fumes, (ive not used the stuff so dont know how relevant that is).

I suffer from bad chest problems so need something nice

Also for brushing this stuff on what type of brush would you recomend, size type etc.

Thanks all.

 

[Kris370]

Yeah I wouldnt mind hearing peoples recommendations here either as I bought myself a pot of "matt" varnish last week as i was sick of wasting spray to seal up after each new bit of detail or highlight as i tend to hold in my fingers when painting. Anyway i tested it and am glad i did as this "matt" turned out to be the SHINIEST GLOSSIEST thing in the world ever! lol

 

[DarkStar]

The only brush on matte topcoat I've used that actually was truely "matte" after it dried is Testor's Dulcote brush on. It really does the job, wonderful stuff. However to the OP it doesn't fulfill your requirements of being "nice" at all. It's pretty noxious stuff.

Of all the other matte sealers I've used they've all dried to a satin finish at best. This includes, Vallejo Model and Game color, Reaper, all manner of craft paint, Liquitex and Golden etc...the only truely matte sealer I've used is the Dulcote but again it's not a fume free product and has quite a kick to it. Maybe someone else has found the golden ticket and has a non noxious matte sealer that is effective?

 

[count zero99uk]

Ill pick up some vallejo matt at some point and see what thats like, i have there paints and there pretty good

Unless anyone else has anymore thoughts.

 

[Kalidane]

Future + Tamiya X-21
http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html

Much friendlier than Dullcote and damned flat

 

[MrH]

I use Vallejo brush on matt and it's great.

 

[count zero99uk]

Does it have much of a solvent odor to it?

 

[MrH]

It's not bad at all IMO.

 

[Dragonsreach]

i was sick of wasting spray to seal up after each new bit of detail or highlight as i tend to hold in my fingers when painting.

Better Cure:- Don't hold in fingers.
Find a HOME Brew Centre and buy ½ dozen Demi-John corks. Ideal size to hold with a mini on.
Hold mini in place with either Blu-tack or a spot of El-Cheapo super glue (poundworld special).

To me Testors DullCoate is still the best Spray on Matt Varnish around, BUT it does smell and for someone with bad Asthma it ain't good.
Brush on Testors reputedly has the same odour.
I've used Humbrol brush on Matt varnish, but I've not been impressed with the result. (Plus bottle went Yellow bleeding quickly) Can't remember if that had an odour or not, I suspect it did.

 

[count zero99uk]

Thanks again. Im gonna order a small bottle of vallejo matt and see how it goes. Any advice of brush types to use with varnish as ive not used it before, obviously

 

[Jbickley00]

golden acrylics make water based varnishes that brush on: golden Polymer Varnish. They don't produce hazardous fumes (be sure and get the POLYMER VARNISH and not the MSA varnish, which is spirit based). I am sure liquitex or others make a polymer varnish as well, though. Check Blick.com

The downside to Golden's varnish is that it really should be thinned, and thus you need to take some time working it up (you'll need another container and distilled water to do it right) and the exact ratio is not formulaic-you will have to practice to get the right "feel" for brushing. But in the end, they varnish is terrifc stuff.

 

[DaRat]

Any matte varnish can go satiny or glossy if applied too thickly.

I've used Liquitex, Reaper, and Lascaux. All can work, sometimes just it takes more effort than others. All have to be thinned and carefully applied.

My favorite is Lascaux, which I've gotten from Dick Blick. I usually shoot the Lascaux through my airbrush.

 

[armornv]

I switched from testors Dullcote to Model Master Acryl Matt Clear. I always spray mine, but I don't see why you couldn't brush it on as well. It's a milky white color in the bottle but I've sprayed who knows how many tank models with it and it always dries clear and damn flat. No problems with it yet. Has a slight oder to it. Kinda smells like windex to me. Not sure if it would be too strong an odor for you or not.