How/what do you folks seal your paint jobs with?

[jimbo13]

Hey everyone, what do you use to seal your paintjobs and how do you do it? Looking for matte sealer.

[Carlson793]

Cheap, clear rattle-can paint from WalMart, Target, etc. Keep a can of matte and a smaller can of gloss on hand (note to self: you're about out of clear matte).

[Jacinda]

I start with Liquitex Matt Varnish and brush it on straight from the bottle.  Depending on the look I want, this may be topped with a very light coat of Purity Seal.

[Phantomzero17]

Krylon Crystal Clear

[Tyberos the Red Wake]

Army Painter "Anti-Shine" Matt Varnish. I like the rough texture it gives, and it dries fast. It also comes in brush-on form to match.

 

Testor's is probably the best as it's a high quality lacquer varnish, but it is expensive and comes in small cans.

 

If Krylon's matte varnish is as good as their gloss and colors, it's probably the best, cheap option.

 

I dislike Vallejo's brush on matte because of its long cure time and resinous qualities. It's fine for their primer and thinners, but not for a matte varnish. It is super matte though if that's what you're looking for, but it's strange to handle such a smooth feeling model that looks so matte.

[Gurth]

For metal models, I first put on a coat of cheap hardware store gloss varnish from a spray can. Once that’s dry I add a coat of matt varnish, for which I used to use GW’s but now use Army Painter’s — basically because that’s what I can get where I live. For plastic models, I skip the gloss varnish, since paint adheres far better to plastic models than to metal ones, so they don’t need to extra protection of a strong gloss coat.

[Kierdale]

I use Mr.Hobby spray-on matt varnish.

 

With all spray on varnishes be careful not to put it on too thick or it can mist.

[ShinyRhino]

Testor's Dullcote. Nothing I've used has ever topped it.

[Aspecti]

I use Vallejo's satin varnish with an airbrush, it's a nice compromise between matt and gloss.

[Noctus Cornix]

Purity.

[Ironwulf]

Over the years, I've used a few different sealers, but my favorite (and most consistent) is Testors. For minis that are likely to be used on a tabletop, I prefer to give them a layer of Testors Glosscote first, followed by a layer of Testors Dullcote. The gloss protects, but the dull flattens it back out. Some things may get masked off so that the Dullcote doesn't flatten them, and they stay glossy. On some minis that are never meant to be on the tabletop, I will sometimes skip the Glosscote and just hit 'em with the Dullcote (usually display-only minis).

Years ago, I used GW and Armory sprays for the initial gloss layer, but after some inconsistencies in various cans, I decided to go back to using only Testors for the final varnish.  After painting minis for 20+ years, GW has changed paint suppliers for their sprays multiple times. Testors has remained the same reliable product for me.

My 2 creds. YMMV.

[Stoic Raptor]

I prefer brush-on acrylic varnish - particularly, Vallejo's Matt Varnish.  The reason why?  I find that people who don't know what kind of varnish they should use aren't often aware of the damage they can do to their painted minis with improper application of spray varnish.  The road to happiness is littered with the minis of people who sprayed it on when it was too hot, too cold, too wet or too dry for aerosol varnish - and those who sprayed it on too heavily or over work that wasn't fully dry.

 

For these reasons, I prefer to brush on varnish.  It allows for more precise application, lets you seal different areas of a model with different levels of luster, is far less likely to go on too heavily, and can be done indoors without fumes.  Yes, it takes a bit longer overall, but I've never had a brush on varnish "frost" on me or run in streaks.

[jimbo13]

I prefer brush-on acrylic varnish - particularly, Vallejo's Matt Varnish.  The reason why?  I find that people who don't know what kind of varnish they should use aren't often aware of the damage they can do to their painted minis with improper application of spray varnish.  The road to happiness is littered with the minis of people who sprayed it on when it was too hot, too cold, too wet or too dry for aerosol varnish - and those who sprayed it on too heavily or over work that wasn't fully dry.

 

For these reasons, I prefer to brush on varnish.  It allows for more precise application, lets you seal different areas of a model with different levels of luster, is far less likely to go on too heavily, and can be done indoors without fumes.  Yes, it takes a bit longer overall, but I've never had a brush on varnish "frost" on me or run in streaks.

So question for you, so how heavy does the luster depend on? More varnish more luster?

 

-Everyone thank you for the responses it has all been beyond helpful, this community rocks!!!!

[Stoic Raptor]

No, the luster depends on the kind of varnish you use - matte, satin, or gloss.  For most applications on a miniature, matte looks better - the hard shine from gloss varnish looks artificial and can do a number on fine details and highlights.  However, it is more durable - so many painters put down a coat of gloss varnish and then take off the shine with a coat of matte varnish.

[AJB2K3]

Winsor and Newton Matt Varnish