Varnishing Models (UK)

[pie_masters]

I've finally decided that it would be a good idea to start putting a protective layer over my models as I've noticed that just from holding models when painting that edges are being warn away, so can imagine this is happening when gaming, though as of yet I've not really noticed this other than edge highlighting fading on metal models.

I've been researching online and have a decent idea of the different brands out there and the difference between matte, satin and gloss. (I was considering satin as I paint grey knights with gw metallic paints, but now I think a matte look would look best). I've also read that it is common to use a gloss, with a matte layer over the top.

My question is what do people in the UK use? A lot of the makes I've seen seem to only be sold in the US (testors dullcoat etc). Right now the only ones I can find sold in the UK are Army Painter Anti-Shine (which I've seen a lot of mixed reviews on) and gw's purity seal (which I believe is satin?).

Cheers for any responses!

 

[Bloodhowl]

I am not in the UK, but a quick google search turned up these on Amazon UK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CLEAR-LACQUER-CRAFT-SPRAY-VARNISH/sim/B001URGMWM/2

Looks to be several brands you can choose from. Challenge would be to find a store near you that carries them if you do not want to buy online. Most clear varnishes (does not have to be hobby specific) will work for our purposes. Specific recommendations will vary from brand to brand so you will need input from others that have used them.

 

[pie_masters]

Thanks for the response! I hadn't considered non hobby varnishes, would need to hear so recommendations as you say before using them though. I'll see what I can find online. I'm tempted by the AP anti-shine as I can get it on the UK eBay (should be able to get away with just this within a gloss as well?). Its about the only hobby specific one I can find sold online in the UK. In store i think it's only gw but I might check in a model zone to see if they have anything.

If needed i'll have it shipped from the US (I've got some armorcast effects ordered as it was the only place they're sold) but obviously it'd be cheaper / quicker / easier to buy more local. Just interested what people use as from googling 'grey knight varnish' everyone says gloss then matte, but never say what products they used.

 

[pie_masters]

Looking on amazon I found these as well as a possibility:
http://tinyurl.com/vallejo500ml - Vallejo 500ml Matt Acrylic Liquid Varnish
http://tinyurl.com/vallejo55ml - Vallejo Liquid Varnish - 55ml Matt
Could be another possibility..

 

[Bailey03]

At my painting group this past weekend one of them was strongly recommending Mr Hobby's Mr Super Clear. It comes in flat or gloss and you can get a version with UV protection as well. Mr Hobby is based in Japan so whether you're in the US or the UK you're stuck ordering it online.

 

[Zab]

I switched to vallejo and it's great. You can run it through the airbrush or thin with a bit of water and brush it on in a few thin layers if you don't want to bust out the airbrush rig.

 

[pie_masters]

Great thanks. I don't have an airbrush but i'm happy painting it on if its a similar consistency to the medium gw has released. I might well buy a small pot of Vallejo and a can of army painter and see how the two go. Does the Vallejo come out nicely matte? Cheers!

 

[Zab]

Very much so, but it takes two or three thin coats - they dry fairly fast though.

 

[Trevor]

Humbrol do good spray varnishes.

 

[pie_masters]

Awesome they stock some of their stuff in my local modelzone apparently I'll check it out once i've finished my uni exams!!

 

[Bartali]

I switched to vallejo and it's great. You can run it through the airbrush or thin with a bit of water and brush it on in a few thin layers if you don't want to bust out the airbrush rig.

Another vote for the Vallejo varnishes. You should be able to pick them up on the high street too if you have some model hobby shops near you.

 

[Einion]

I've finally decided that it would be a good idea to start putting a protective layer over my models as I've noticed that just from holding models when painting that edges are being warn away...

So um yeah, don't do that. It's a very good idea to get into the habit of not touching the model's surface with your fingers after primer has gone on. There are two threads on holding options currently on the first page of the forum, this one from just a couple of weeks ago and this resurrected thread from 2008 to get you started.

I've been researching online...

Did you forget to search here on CMON or did your searches not yield any UK-specific threads? There are a few, as well as posts in general threads on varnishing/protective coats from members in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, but since UK is a two-letter word it's not easy to do searches that include it.

Einion

 

[pie_masters]

Thanks i'll take a look at those threads. I've seen people attack models to a cork in videos online. Hadn't really considered it till i noticed the last few models I painted. My only concern is being able to hold a mini at any angle and it reain steady, but i'm sure the threads you linked will cover that!

I have searched cmon, amongst other sites, just failed to find anything uk specific. The ones that seemed most recommended were testors, vallejo and army painter. I remember I looked a few months ago and couldn't find any UK sites selling them. Now i've found army painter from a seller on ebay and vallejo on amazon and possibly my local modelzone I think i'll be exploring those routes. As someone mentioned above Mr Hobby's Mr Super Clear seems like a decent other alternative which seems to be selling by mass on ebay.

I'll have to take a look again through some posts when i get time and see if I can spot some users from the UK, but seems I have some good leads now to go on!

 

[Dragonsreach]

I have searched cmon, amongst other sites, just failed to find anything uk specific. The ones that seemed most recommended were testors, vallejo and army painter. I remember I looked a few months ago and couldn't find any UK sites selling them.

Strange a quick google got me Testors Dullcoate at several UK suppliers:-
Antenociti's workshop
MDP Model Display Products
being two of the ones I've used.

 

[pie_masters]

The first link as well as all others I've found when searching have been out of stock or no longer selling it whenever i've looked (Antenociti's workshop, firestorm, NGTrains, HA etc i've kept them all bookmarked). First time i've seen it in stock in MDP, sure when i checked a few days ago it wasn't. Will snap some up fast i think! Looking on ebay thetrolltrader has also started selling it. I've had good experiences with him so will snap some p quick i think

 

[Ninjii]

I used the GW Purity seal for my work, seemed to work fine...Never bothered with else...was I wrong?

 

[Einion]

I used the GW Purity seal for my work, seemed to work fine...Never bothered with else...was I wrong?

Its quality & properties aside, if it's a GW product you're going to be paying through the nose for it whatever it is. You can look at past threads if you want more details, there are many that touch on this.

Einion