Best Rattle Can Varnish?

[Astartes Consul]

The topic title is quite self-explanatory really. Looking for some recommendations on the best brand of rattle can (matte) varnish!

 

Particularly, how does the Army Painter one hold up? And is the GW one worth the price? 

 

 

[Arkhanist]

GW spray varnish is better than it used to be, but it's satin, not matt, and rather pricey. Army Painter has always been reliable and good quality for me, but from other reports you do need to be careful making sure it's not too hot or too cold, and it doesn't react well to high humidity; no spray varnish does, but AP can be a bit more sensitive perhaps. 

 

The gold standard is testors dullcote. Finally available again with an EU-compliant formulation, it's by consensus the best there is, though also £5 for a tiny can - which is about 1/4 the quantity in an AP can. It is VERY matte.

[Astartes Consul]

GW spray varnish is better than it used to be, but it's satin, not matt, and rather pricey. Army Painter has always been reliable and good quality for me, but from other reports you do need to be careful making sure it's not too hot or too cold, and it doesn't react well to high humidity; no spray varnish does, but AP can be a bit more sensitive perhaps. 

 

The gold standard is testors dullcote. Finally available again with an EU-compliant formulation, it's by consensus the best there is, though also £5 for a tiny can - which is about 1/4 the quantity in an AP can. It is VERY matte.

 

Thanks! I'll probably give the AP one a go then and if I'm not convinced see if I can grab some of the Testors. 

[Marshal Vespasian]

I have had bad experiences with Army Painter frosting on me in the summer, in the sun.

 

GW Can varnish worked well for me, very matte. I had a very old bottle of purity seal. Not sure they have that anymore.

 

Liquitex matte varnish came out very neutral, never frosted on me. Use it for metallic stuff and terrain now.

[Stoic Raptor]

For aerosol matte varnish, nothing beats Testors Dullcote.The cans are small, and expensive - but the finish is durable and beautiful

I have miniatures painted in the early '90s that I Dullcoted and they are still good-as-new, with no signs of wear.

[StruManChu]

Dullcote is unquestionably the best Matte Varnish around. I've not tried the new EU-legal formula yet, but if it's even half as good as the old one then it's still better than everything else.

 

I've had some success with Liquitex Matte as well. Neither has ever frosted on me, but I definitely prefer Dullcote when I can get my hands on it.

 

I'm still stuck for a good gloss though. I've used Halford's Gloss a few times on the recommendation of a friend, but I find it has to go on too thick in order to get even coverage, which defeats the purpose somewhat. I hate airbrushing gloss varnish on because it takes so long. Not to hijack the thread, but if anyone can let me know a good reliable gloss rattlecan, that would be very helpful!

[Ranulf]

Another vote for Testors Dullcote here, nothing comes close - beautiful matte finish.

 

-Ran

[Razblood]

Vallejo stuff is pretty good, though I've only used the satin. Goes on thin and is pretty tough.

[Brother Eleysium]

For aerosol matte varnish, nothing beats Testors Dullcote.The cans are small, and expensive - but the finish is durable and beautiful

I have miniatures painted in the early '90s that I Dullcoted and they are still good-as-new, with no signs of wear.

 

Would you say this is better than liquid clear coat? I generally brush mine on due to so many bad experiences with frosting from standard matte varnish. 

[Stoic Raptor]

The reason people may get frosting with spray topcoats is purely environmental.   If it's too hot or dry outside, the varnish will dry with a granular look. Too cold, and it will run. More importantly, humidity is the enemy of clearcoats. Spray when it's too muggy outside, and you'll find all of your hard work is now encased in a kind of cloudy layer of varnish. It's possible to rehabilitate these afflicted models in various ways, but the best advice is not to spray when the weather isn't right.

 

As far as durability?  There's not a single acrylic brush-on varnish in existence that is as resistant to chipping and wear as Dullcote.  It's also sold in a brush-on bottle but it doesn't clean up with water, and the fumes from the varnish are almost as bad as the fumes from the thinner you'll need to clean up with afterwards.

 

Shake the can, make sure it and the room are close to "room temperature" and mind the humidity, and spray varnish will work just fine.

[MithrilForge]

Testors dulcote for my vote, you spend sooo much time painting your models, i think it's worth the cost to coat them right without fear of frosting them or yellowing or any other fearful thing that happens with clear coats

 

i have used a can of GW's latest satin sealer on terrain and i will admit that it has been good 

 

Mithril

[Brother Eleysium]

The reason people may get frosting with spray topcoats is purely environmental.   If it's too hot or dry outside, the varnish will dry with a granular look. Too cold, and it will run. More importantly, humidity is the enemy of clearcoats. Spray when it's too muggy outside, and you'll find all of your hard work is now encased in a kind of cloudy layer of varnish. It's possible to rehabilitate these afflicted models in various ways, but the best advice is not to spray when the weather isn't right.

 

As far as durability?  There's not a single acrylic brush-on varnish in existence that is as resistant to chipping and wear as Dullcote.  It's also sold in a brush-on bottle but it doesn't clean up with water, and the fumes from the varnish are almost as bad as the fumes from the thinner you'll need to clean up with afterwards.

 

Shake the can, make sure it and the room are close to "room temperature" and mind the humidity, and spray varnish will work just fine.

 

I live in a very humid climate in, so I am aware what causes the issues, I am just gun shy to use the sprays because of it. I have had several models ruined when conditions appeared to be perfect, but it was just humid enough sadly... Really appreciate the info, and thank you for letting me hijack the thread.

 

I think I will stick to the Vallejo Matte Varnish, but I really appreciate you all following up with me. I like Lahmian Medium, but it has a tendency to come out somewhat shiny.