Matt varnish.

StuartH

New member
No not the old guy that used to turn up in forum stories........but the spray on kind.

what does everybody use these days and what can be purchased easily in the UK?

i have a rattly can of testors dull ore (old formula) that will run out at some time, but I gather that they re-did the formula awhile back as it was full of lots of banned stuff (which would account for the smell).

Does the newer stuff do the same job?
 

Ritual

New member
I don't use any. If, for some reason, I need to take off the shine of something I brush on some matt medium.

Unless you plan on playing with your figures (shudder the thought...) there is hardly any reason for varnishing. If I use varnish, it is mostly satin or gloss for the visual effect or that I need it for some particular technique. Never for general protection of a finished mini.
 
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StuartH

New member
I have two very touchy feely kids who are always keen to see all the new things I paint. Hence I need some protection!
 

Bowlzee

New member
I use Tamiya TS-80. Pretty sure it's available in the UK (I live in Australia). One or two coats is more than enough.
 

oistene

Active member
I use Testors, not sure if I have the new one or not (I assume so, since I've bought them recently). Matt varnishes tend to give little protection, though, you need to hit them with something else if you want to child-proof your minis, THEN use the matt varnish to get away the shine.
 

MPJ

New member
Also a big fan of the Testors dulcoat here, sometimes it takes some hunting to find it but it does offer some protection while giving the mini a nice finish. I will often go back with a satin or gloss brush on (I use products from Mircoscale) on certain details that I wish to have that sort of finish (swords for example).

Be young, have fun, drink Coke!
 

Wyrmypops

New member
Army Painter Anti-Shine is a decent matt coat. Really kills off the metallic flecks on weapons and the like though, so they get a final highlight after they've been squirted. For gaming minis I give 'em a sturdier varnish, a satin/gloss coat, to be followed by the more appealing matt coat.
 

VonVilkee

New member
Army Painter Anti-Shine is a decent matt coat. Really kills off the metallic flecks on weapons and the like though, so they get a final highlight after they've been squirted. For gaming minis I give 'em a sturdier varnish, a satin/gloss coat, to be followed by the more appealing matt coat.

Agreed, I game with most of my minis and don't want to have to repaint. I hit them with the Testors gloss then dull it back down with army painter anti shine matte varnish. Best sealing combo for look I've found.

Just make sure the gloss is completely dry first. I give it 24 to 48 hours before the switch.
 
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