Lead Adventure Forum

Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Belgian on 03 May 2012, 04:06:04 PM

Title: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Belgian on 03 May 2012, 04:06:04 PM
Hi, I've been postphoning the varnishing of my precious painted miniatures untill I found a good way to do so. I would like to find a good matt varnish which you need to brush on you miniatures instead of spraying. I have a can of Armypainter varnish but I'm afraid to use it on my precious miniatures.

I would prefer a european based retailler or a Belgian one which ships his goods.

When the miniatures are varnished I will be able to finally play some wargames without caring too much about the paintjobs!

All comments are more than welcome!
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Cherno on 03 May 2012, 04:24:46 PM
I have used Vallejo matte varnish and the results are satisfactory. I also have resorted to brushing it on exclusively after having one experienced one of the infamous matte varnish spray disasters.
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: necrocannibal on 03 May 2012, 04:25:54 PM
I've tried a few, but none of them were really matt. Now I use a cheap varnish (spray can from the Action in the Netherlands, don't know if this shop is also in Belgium) and when thouroughly dried I apply a coat of Testor's Dullcote (again a spray can)...it give a true matt finish. So why not use spray cans? I've been using them for ages without any problems. Just be sure not to use them in a too humid environment...I spray outside and bring the model back inside immediately after the coats have been applied.
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Mindenbrush on 03 May 2012, 04:44:32 PM
From Orctrader's site Daler-Rowney Soluble Matt Varnish
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/orctrader/Articles/Varnish.html
I use the D-R varnish, shake it up and really shake it up, do a test piece to check matt finish, keep shaking, 1 do 3 or 4 28mm figures at a time, then put the cap back on the bottle and give it a good shake before continuing on the next batch of 3 or 4 figures.
Allow to dry for 24 hours and then second coat using same procedure.
Time consuming but no figures lost so far  :)
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Bugsda on 03 May 2012, 04:54:26 PM
Yep, what Mindenbrush and Orctrader said  8)

I think Capt Blood, Malamute, Steve Dean, Kev Dalimore and Uncle Tom Cobley use it too  ;)
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: john Hollyoak on 03 May 2012, 04:59:08 PM
Another vote for Vallejo. They seem to have dropped it from all their lines except airbrushing but you can use it with a brush. Goes on milky white so you can see where you've been. Dries clear. I normally splash it all over, give it 5 minutes and then go back to spread out any puddles. Never had a problem.

Cheers
John
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Dr DeAth on 03 May 2012, 05:00:00 PM
Yep, what Mindenbrush and Orctrader said  8)

I think Capt Blood, Malamute, Steve Dean, Kev Dalimore and Uncle Tom Cobley use it too  ;)

I've been using Daler-Rowney too since reading Orctrader's article and it gives excellent results.
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Malamute on 03 May 2012, 05:04:35 PM
Yep, what Mindenbrush and Orctrader said  8)

I think Capt Blood, Malamute, Steve Dean, Kev Dalimore and Uncle Tom Cobley use it too  ;)

Its true, I can't deny it, I use it, can't speak for old Uncle Tom. ;)

It doesn't improve my painting though ::)
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Zaheer on 03 May 2012, 07:05:09 PM
Another vote for Daler-Rowney.
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Belgian on 04 May 2012, 12:58:13 PM
Another vote for Daler-Rowney.

We have a  winner any idea where to buy this particular varnish?
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Mike Blake on 04 May 2012, 02:47:14 PM
Winsor (sic) & Newton Acrylic Matt Varnish gets my vote. Years of use, always works, hasn't yellowed, readily available from art/craft/graphic suppy shops inc many who do mail order, but does (as mentioned by earlier posters) need frequent shaking and application with a damp brush.
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Orctrader on 04 May 2012, 08:56:57 PM
We have a  winner any idea where to buy this particular varnish?

On line, google Daler Rowney soluble matt varnish

Every "Art" store I've walked into sells it.  Amazon UK has it.  It is ubiquitous.   :)

(http://www.orctrader.co.uk/Images/DR.jpg)
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: cram on 04 May 2012, 10:50:34 PM
I use Daler Rowney too. A coat or two of their gloss, followed by a couple of coats of their matt (allowing the required drying time before applying the next coat). As already stated you need to shake the guts out of it first.
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: zizi666 on 04 May 2012, 10:54:16 PM
The local Art store (Schleiper) has this one :

(http://www.schleiper.com/intranet/images/ImgGD/IMDB14007002_GD.JPG)
It's for oil colours, but they claim it works equaly well with acrylics. Anyone that can confirm this ?
LINK (http://www.schleiper.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bypass&from=ShowProductDetails&Title=categories&RefEtiq=DB14007002&SerieID=&CFID=966036&CFTOKEN=79785682)
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Belgian on 05 May 2012, 07:57:59 PM
The local Art store (Schleiper) has this one :

(http://www.schleiper.com/intranet/images/ImgGD/IMDB14007002_GD.JPG)
It's for oil colours, but they claim it works equaly well with acrylics. Anyone that can confirm this ?
LINK (http://www.schleiper.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bypass&from=ShowProductDetails&Title=categories&RefEtiq=DB14007002&SerieID=&CFID=966036&CFTOKEN=79785682)

I hope this one is the same as we also have a Schleiper in Kortrijk.  ;)

Thanks for the tip
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: theoldschool on 05 May 2012, 08:15:09 PM
Winsor & Newton Galleria gets my vote. Dries absolutely flat. Make sure you get the plastic bottle with the yellow cap rather than the glass bottle. Don't know why there should be a difference, but there is and it's huge.

One thing though, don't try to brush it out to a thin coat, it will dry glossy it you do. Just slap it on, leave to dry overnight. I've got figures varnished two years ago and no sign of yellowing.
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Captain Blood on 05 May 2012, 08:26:14 PM
Yes, I actually started using W&N Galeria a couple of years ago, and it's very good. It's water based, so I don't know how much real durable protection against knocks and handling it gives, but it certainly provides a dead flat matt finish.
I've been using the stuff in glass bottles, but I shall try Pat's recommendation of the plastic container next, since it sounds like it's even better  :)
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Ray Rivers on 05 May 2012, 08:43:46 PM
I was using the water soluble vallejo matt varnish for quite some time but in the end wasn't too happy with it. Even though I would brush on a couple good coats, it seemed to give off a slightly glossy appearance but more importantly, I found it just wasn't durable enough on large or heavy figures (such as cavalry).

I then tried brushing on their (vallejo) acrylic spray matt varnish (for durability) and after drying, gave it a coat of the water soluble matt varnish. The effect was a very matt finish with super durability.
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Orctrader on 05 May 2012, 09:19:14 PM
The local Art store (Schleiper) has this one :

(http://www.schleiper.com/intranet/images/ImgGD/IMDB14007002_GD.JPG)
It's for oil colours, but they claim it works equaly well with acrylics. Anyone that can confirm this ?
LINK (http://www.schleiper.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bypass&from=ShowProductDetails&Title=categories&RefEtiq=DB14007002&SerieID=&CFID=966036&CFTOKEN=79785682)

I've never used it. 

It isn't the one I use; it isn't the one that is in my article.

But if anyone has used it let us know how matt/flat it is.
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Mitch K on 06 May 2012, 10:57:08 AM
Yes, I actually started using W&N Galeria a couple of years ago, and it's very good. It's water based, so I don't know how much real durable protection against knocks and handling it gives, but it certainly provides a dead flat matt finish.
I've been using the stuff in glass bottles, but I shall try Pat's recommendation of the plastic container next, since it sounds like it's even better  :)

Never had a problem with the glass bottle version, or with using a thin coat. A touch of acrylic flow improver helps, and a big, soft brush (squirrel or pony hair, rather than sable). Never had a problem with the least hint of glossiness. I use a sprayed coat of Pledge floor wax underneath for protection, but I can't say I've noticed that the W&N is not reasonably durable.
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: timlillig on 08 May 2012, 11:49:32 PM
I use Golden Matte Polymer Varnish.  I have found it to be more matte and harder than other spray on or brush on products I have found.

The company's web site lists some retailers in Belgium.  http://www.goldenpaints.com (http://www.goldenpaints.com)
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: oxiana on 09 May 2012, 01:01:27 PM
Winsor & Newton Galleria gets my vote. Dries absolutely flat. Make sure you get the plastic bottle with the yellow cap rather than the glass bottle. Don't know why there should be a difference, but there is and it's huge.

Another vote for W&N. Interesting to hear about potential differences here though, as I've always used the glass bottle stuff and found it be perfect – applies really well, and a couple of coats and your minis are nicely covered. Shake before use and you're good to go.
Title: Re: Matt brush on varnish?
Post by: Belgian on 15 August 2012, 02:18:44 PM
Just saw that Maelstrom sells some brush on matt varnish made by Coat of arms? Has anybody some experience with this varnish?