Varnishing question

[Mudpuppet]

Hey brothers,

 

I asked this in the painting and modeling forum but got no response so i apologise for wrong forum post.

 

Is testors dull cote much much better than GW spray matt varnish? and if so do you know where i can order it from in the UK? Cos nowhere in edinburgh stocks it. So would have to be a web order.

 

Many thanks,

 

Mudpuppet

[Gumo9]

I think you can get it from vendors on amazon. I'm never going to use GW's "purity seal" again after it has consistantly ruined several models.

 

From now on I'm going to use paint on varnish for the small stuff (valejo satin and matt arrived in the post this morning - going to try them tomorrow). I was also thinking of trying testors dull cote myself for things like buildings.

 

G

[Chairman_woo]

I hear good things about "army painter"'s matte varnish, have a can sitting around at the mo but have yet to use it. The GW stuff is ok provided you shake it VERY well (like 1-2 mins solid min) and dont use it when its especially wet or cold out. And always, ALWAYS do a test spray!!!

[Mudpuppet]

Hmm, ok thanks chairman woo. Might give the GW one a go on a few old skellies or something.

 

Mudpuppet

[Arkio]

just make sure the can tempurature is the same as the model/air temp. this is particularly important for metal figs.

[Gumo9]

I just wouldn't risk it - living in northern England we don't get many dry sunny days. Even when we do, I have shaken the can non stop for 3+ minutes, had the can sitting in the same room as the intended model, sprayed at the correct distance and taking care not to put a thick layer on.... and still I get the mist of misery on the mini !!!

 

Tried the paint on varnish from Valeyo yesterday and it is great. The satin gave me just the right sheen I was looking for on amrour and the matt is perfect for bases and faces. Cheap as chips too.

 

G

[Mudpuppet]

Hmm, good info on the paint on varnishes Gumo. I think if the spray varnish is bad in northern england it would be terrible in scotland.

 

Cheers,

 

Mudpuppet

[Zealot Of Chaos]

I haven't had any issues with the Matt Varnish from Armypainter, its always done the trick for me, but then again everyone the world over knows that the SW of England is a tropical haven.

[BorisBC]

lol it happens all over the place with spray's - I've just had to strip 20 odd mini's that an undercoat screwed up. I think it was due to a cold night were in Adelaide, South Oz, cause a week later in the middle of the day, it was fine! Grrr.

 

Anyway, if you can't find Army Painter, you can use a wood stain from a hardware shop, as it's basically the same thing.

[captain Mungo]

From what I've gathered sprayvarnishes are sensitive to temperature and humidity, just like many sprayprimers. And again like sprayprimers there's also some technique involved to help improve on the results.

 

My go-to place for painting tips has some useful comments on the subject:

http://thepaintingcorps.blogspot.com/2009/...ps-varnish.html

http://thepaintingcorps.blogspot.com/2009/...ing-primer.html

 

Personally I'm a fan of spraying a thin layer of glossy varnish first, since its harder and less likely to fog, and then add a layer of matte varnish on top. I haven't had any issues with any particular brand that couldn't be blamed on poor environmental conditions, sorry I can't be of more help there.