Varnish

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dashing blade
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Varnish

Post by dashing blade » Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:30 am

Varnish?
I dont think i've ever used Matt Varnish on my figures(mostly cos i want to repaint later) However i've reached a reasonable standard and want to save some figures from the threat of chipping.
Who does the best Matt Varnish,and how to apply?
Any thoughts :)

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Greystreak
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Post by Greystreak » Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:47 am

It depends on your type of paint (acrylic vs. enamel), but as an acrylic paint user, I finish my figures with two thin coats of Windsor & Newton's "Galleria" Acrylic Matt Varnish (easy water clean-up). I feel it's 'matt' enough to bring out the transitions in colours, hard enough to protect the figures (it's OK to paint over for 'repairs' and re-varnish), yet still lets the lustre of metallics come through. I've most recently used this technique on the figures here: http://www.leagueofaugsburg.com/fightin ... php?t=2670, so have a look and judge for yourself.
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Post by Cameronian » Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:55 am

I've used Testors dull-coat and Army Painter (both sprays) and found both to work equally well.

A couple of snags however I've come across:
- both turn steel (WG 'boltgun metal' and/or 'chainmail') a dull grey, so re-touching is necessary on weapons and armour
- inkjet paper flags are destroyed, so for me be-flagging is the absolutely last step in a project
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Post by j1mwallace » Fri Apr 01, 2011 10:45 am

in the past i've used good old humbrol but now usually use Windsor & Newton, Gloss then a Matt on top.
I've used army painter. no problems but it is REALLY matt.Sometimes leaves the figures with a strange dry feel.works fine though.
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Post by Atheling » Sat Apr 02, 2011 8:28 am

There's a great Matt varnish called HMG available from Figures in Comfort- it gives the flattest matt finnish that i have ever encountered.

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Post by subedai » Sun Apr 17, 2011 8:34 pm

I use Ultra Tough Hardglaze Clear Varnish (from the local large Homebase) as my first coat as gloss is inherently stronger and more resilient than matt, and for my top coat I use Daler-Rowney Soluble Matt Varnish (available from all good art shops). this way I have the strength of the gloss coupled with the flatness of the matt. Unfortunately both of these are enamel so turps or similar is required to clean the brush.
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Post by Rob Herrick » Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:42 pm

It depends.

I have a collection of varnishes that I use. My spaceships and sci-fi figures I will spray with Testors Gloss Coat or Krylon satin to leave them shiny.

Any time I am working with decals or transfers, I follow the guide on the Little Big Man packages. I'll varnish the transfer with Delta Ceramicoat brish on varish, then hit the entire unit with first a coat of Krylon Gloss, then Army Builder Matt Varnish to take the shine off.

If I don't have transfers, I just use the Army Builder Matt Varnish.
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