Matte Varnish Spray dilemma and possible solution?

[Helias_Tancred]

Hey all, first off let me say that Testor's Dullcote Matte varnish spray has been my go-to for the last 5 years. It's been excellent! Absolutely loved it, even though it came in those smaller cans. 

 

Then it changed.

 

Now its "Dullcote Matte Lacquer". It's a very satin, glossy-lite can of crap! Very very disappointing. Looks like Rust-O-Leum finally got around to screwing up a pillar of the Testor's line. I've had to use some Matte Varnish out of the pot (Winsor and Newton Galeria) to fix the problem, however I prefer to use a spray varnish.

 

So a close friend of mine picked up a couple cans of Vallejo Matte Varnish spray to use on his terrain set (that I painted). Another good friend said its very matte! lol I'm okay with that. I will be using it in my basement so I'm in a good climate, no humidity, etc.

 

Does anyone here use Vallejo Matte Spray varnish? What is your opinion of it?

 

Thanks. 

Edited October 19 by Helias_Tancred

[Karhedron]

I have used Testors for decades! Please say it isn't ruined. 

 

Does it need more shaking?

[Grotsmasha]

Colour Forge also has a Matt Varnish I've good things about, might be worth testing out too.

[Helias_Tancred]

12 hours ago, Karhedron said:

I have used Testors for decades! Please say it isn't ruined. 

 

Does it need more shaking?

 

Nope. I always shake the [bleep] out of it. I use it in my basement, which sits at a solid 71 degree Farenheit, dry as a bone. 

 

I noticed the new cans say "Lacquer" ... 

 

 

 

 

Also, the Vallejo can of Matte Varnish isn't exactly matte. More like a Satin. 

 

[Helias_Tancred]

So I'm still on the hunt. $20 down the toilet. 

 

 

Edited October 19 by Helias_Tancred

[space wolf]

I typically just use matt varnish, that you paint on...you can find it at any arts and crafts store, or art store.  This way I don't have to worry about my metals' shine getting 'killed' by the spray coat.

[Helias_Tancred]

8 hours ago, space wolf said:

I typically just use matt varnish, that you paint on...you can find it at any arts and crafts store, or art store.  This way I don't have to worry about my metals' shine getting 'killed' by the spray coat.

 

I'm leaning towards that, but I noticed that the one I have, Winsor and Newton Galleria Matte Varnish can reactivate Army Painter and GW contrast paints. Its very annoying, since I use a slap chop method for black power armor (my BT & DA Ravenwing) and my green power armor (DA). I'd love to find a matte varnish out of the pot that doesn't do that!

 

[Karhedron]

2 hours ago, Helias_Tancred said:

I'd love to find a matte varnish out of the pot that doesn't do that!

 

A 50:50 mix of AK Ultra Matt and Lahmia Medium does the trick for me. Not quite "out of the pot" but certainly works well.

[sbarnby71]

Are you using the varnish to protect or remove the shine (or maybe both)?

 

I use Lahmian Medium to remove the shine from my pieces, it offers very little protection, but I like how it gives a more natural finish and I can control it to leave gem stones with a little shine if needed.

[Karhedron]

52 minutes ago, sbarnby71 said:

Are you using the varnish to protect or remove the shine (or maybe both)?

 

At the moment, just to kill the shine. If the piece has any significant metallic areas, I use a satin lacquer to protect it. I then use the Ultra Matt / LM to overcoat the non-metallic areas. This works well for units like Sanguinary Guard.

[Helias_Tancred]

6 hours ago, sbarnby71 said:

Are you using the varnish to protect or remove the shine (or maybe both)?

 

I use Lahmian Medium to remove the shine from my pieces, it offers very little protection, but I like how it gives a more natural finish and I can control it to leave gem stones with a little shine if needed.

 

Ooooh! I'm going to try that! Thanks.

 

[Helias_Tancred]

I picked this up, and I LOVE IT!!!!

 

In due time I will probably try their spray too.