Recomended Matt Varnish

[Happy]

Painting related, (sort of) don't usually have to varnish my stuff.......because i don't paint enough to worry about it, and i always have them mounted in movement trays. HOWEVER, I found myself in GW today, trying to replenish my metals, and thought I would replace my Matt Varnish.....................I was told by the 12 year old behind the counter they don't sell matt varnish anymore, and have not done so for years, in a brush on format anyway. I could buy an industrial sized aerosol spray version, if I wanted.I declined the offer.
So,where can i buy brush on Matt Varnish, and whats recommended by those (you guys) in the know.
Cheers for any, and all advice. Gordon

[roma912]

Vallejo do a brush on matt varnish as do Windsor & Newton. Had good results with both. I am avoiding spray varnishes in general after several mishaps with "blooming".

[Happy]

Cheers Roma,yeah familiar of the old blooming from spray ons. Off to research best place to buy it online!!
Thanks again Gordon

[arumbaya55]

HI, i'm new in this forum, but i've painting miniature figurines for a few years. About the varnish I first go with humbrol gloss varnish and then TITAN BARNIZ PARA CUADROS SATINADO. It's an artistic varnish I buy here in Spain, I don't know if it's possible to find it abroad, TITAN is the name of the company. It's not expensive. With a bottle of 250 ml. you can varnish a complete 28 mm. army. And it's halfway between matt and satin.
I like the effect.

[steve29651]

Gordon, Best spray in my opinion, Testors Dullcote, never had a problem with it, only getting it.

Now available from Maelstrom, mail order.


Steve M

[Matt1066]

I'll second the comment about Testors. Superb stuff. But if you want brush on then I've heard good things about the W&N offering, but I've not tried it.

Cheers

Matt

[Ceriath]

I've used Testors and it does give you a very very matt finish. For the last couple of armies I've painted I've used the two stage brush approach from the Kevin Dallimore painting guide. First coat Humbrol gloss followed by W&N Matt. Takes a couple of days as you have to ensure the gloss is fully dry before applying the Matt. Interested to hear other peoples recommendations though. Cheers Wayne.

[Axebreaker]

I use GW satin as I don't like to wait which gives the protection of a gloss without the shine if applied in bursts and not too close. Make sure to shake very well and apply in a semi warm dry area. The only mishap was when I failed to shake the can.

Christopher

[bigredbat]

Testors; equally great from the bottle or the can.

[Happy]

cheers guys,been away for a week in lakes, so first time I have had to reply, due to no internet.
Testors it is then, though will be a brush on job, as I really don't like even the thought of spraying it on wrong.The control freak in me won't let me do it!

[bigredbat]

For an easy to use and cheap alternative to testors, Saxon Dog recently suggested W&N Galleria Acrylic Matt varnish to me. You can use it as a wash with a little black or brown ink mixed in, like one would use floor polish. It's good stuff, I'm finding it very useful for when I want to varnish and shade at the same time. Cheap, too.

[Mithridates]

Simon - good idea of Saxon Dog. Was thinking of using Army Painter but the W&N is a good water based option.

Garry

[bigredbat]

Hi Garry, it's useful stuff; good in that it both adds depth of shadow and makes things matt in one go. I will still use AP on whole figures, but I'll use the W&N for finishing stuff, and on bases.

BTW Does anyone know a spray varnish that is mostly matt but has leaves a slight satin sheen? I need something like this for varnishing horses.

[Happy]

Having few issues tracking down the best varnish for me. Windsor and Newton, It appears i can buy at my semi-local arts supplier,testors, i cannot find anywhere in brush on form, lots of aerosols available though, and don't want sprays.

Im presuming (may be wrong) that the windsor and newton matt varnish, is water soluable?

[bigredbat]

Hi Gordon,

The W&N Galleria stuff can be bought cheaply in large bottles and is water soluble, which is a plus.

Antenociti usually have the Testors brush on stuff... that's where I've bought mine in the past.

Cheers, Simon

[Happy]

Been to border reiver today, where the highlight of show was me looking for Matt Varnish, to brush on.

The result was pitiful, but managed to buy a Vallejo Matt Varnish. I had a choice of that.....or nowt!!

Anyway, got it home, gave it a good shake (as per instruction) "popped" the dropper bit out so I could get me brush in, and brushed, what could be described as "milk" onto my sheilds?????????????? I have done 12 (for the 12 cav) and stopped, as i'm not sure I'm using my time wisely, nor, am I convinced this stuffs any good..........THOUGHTS PLEASE.

Should it be milky?? is it any good? and should it be as thin,as said, milky colour, milky consistancey?????

Am I wasting my time??, should it be thicker?

[bigredbat]

But how did it look dry?

I've never used the Vallejo stuff, myself, usually a Testors man. Just recently started with using the below as a medium and top coat over gloss varnish; good stuff, and cheap.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Winsor-Newton-G ... 844&sr=1-2

Simon

[Happy]

Following on from yesterdays experiment with Vallejo matt varnish, i'm pleased to say (suprised??) that Vallejo matt Varnish, is, well, Matt, in texture and appearance!Its dried Matt, without any yellowing (thus far).

However, don't take that as a recommend from me, as I have no idea what i'm comparing this too.Its dry,none-yellow and Matt.

Maybe the most fantastic product in the feild of varnish, and i wouldn't know,I do however remember why I don't like vallejo paints...........bottles are awfull (still) and maybe only slightly better than the new GW paint pots, which self close, making getting your brush in bloody hard work.

[Yimpkin]

Casual visitor here.

Having had many failed attempts at finding a good matt varnish follwoing a succession of disappointments with Humbrol Mattcote (used to be superb, but now poor), I hit upon Revell matt varnish - straight from the tin with only a minimal shake. So far no yellowing and a dead matt finish which dries very quickly. I apply this over a coat of the cheap craft paint type gloss or silk varnish which is only used as a protective coat.

Worth a go.

G.

[armchairviking]

I have found W&N Artisan water based matt varnish pretty good. It is available from Hobbycraft.