Acceptable weather for spray on matt varnish

[hd3]

I'm finally at the stage where I have enough models finished to start varnishing en masse. I've got my mr hobby spray on top coat cans but I"m worried the weather conditions are already too poor. It averages about 70-80 percent humidity around here lately and the weather is cold enough its starting to snow some days. Is this too cold for varnishing? I want to avoid any frosting on my models if possible.

[Grotsmasha]

Warm the can in a bowl of tap-warm water for ~2mins prior to spraying, shake the ever living b'jesus out of it, and use a sheltered area, like a garage (stand in garage, spray outwards from the threshold).

I've found with spray varnish (GW Munitorum) that lighter, multiple passes are less likely to frost.

The weather though is not anything like I've had to contend with, so I would do a test run with a less important model first 

[AutumnEffect]

70% humidity isn't tooooo bad but I'd definitely avoid spraying varnish in anything under 60F-15C personally.

It's just not worth the risk to ruin what you've finished.

[phandaal]

Paint-on matte varnish from Liquitex. Takes longer but you will not end up with a bunch of fuzzy snowmen.

[Karhedron]

By the time Black Friday sales start appearing, I generally assume that it is not worth the risk of varnishing. I stockpile my finished minis and wait for the first warm day in spring.

[crimsondave]

DON’T USE ARMY PAINTER!

 

Testors  will frost up too but I had way more issues with army painter frosting.  I know it’s not the best idea but I spray inside my temp controlled shop with a dehumidifier that keeps it @35-40% humidity and that stuff will still frost up.  Whatever you use, shake it until your arm is about to fall off and make sure it’s not cold.

 

I complained about this several months ago and phandaal among others suggested paint-on so I bought some.  No issues with it.  If you have a lot of models to do it’s probably not what you want.  The easy way to use paint on is just make it your last step in painting where you’re not doing a whole army at one time.

[phandaal]

10 minutes ago, crimsondave said:

Testors  will frost up too but I had way more issues with army painter frosting.

 

2nd this. I had frosting issues even with Army Painter Satin varnish.

[Karhedron]

Halford Satin lacquer has been very reliable for me. For models with armour,  I often stop there. If there are minimal metallics and I want a flat finish, I will apply a light coat of Testors over the top on a dry day. 

[Sky Potato]

I’ve had way too many bad experiences with spray can varnish. Never again, regardless of brand.

 

Airbrush for me. Or using a brush with the airbrush varnish.

 

I use Vallejo Premium Acrylic Polyurethane. Brushes on fine on infantry size models or small vehicle panels if I want to do decals, but on anything bigger, I’d definitely want the airbrush for a smooth coat.