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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Plynkes on March 08, 2008, 10:51:43 AM

Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Plynkes on March 08, 2008, 10:51:43 AM
http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/03/07/13015


Seems we won't be able to get Testors Dullcote in the EU any more. Just when I found what I thought to be the perfect product. I'm down to my last can and am in dire need of something to replace it.


Any suggestions from any of the gang in the EU? I suspect we've had a round-up before. If so I apologise, I wasn't paying attention.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Prof.Witchheimer on March 08, 2008, 11:00:18 AM
I'm using Rustin's Clear Varnish, a bit tricky to use but it's better than Testor.

http://www.miniaturicum.de/product_info.php?products_id=3987

But if you want Testor, I can send you two bottles, dont need it any more, how said, I'm not happy with.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Plynkes on March 08, 2008, 11:04:24 AM
Thanks Prof. Sorry, I meant to say spray can varnish. That's what I prefer. I've had bad experiences brushing on varnish, so I much prefer to spray these days.

Funny about you not liking Testors. It's the first one I found that I really did like. :) The only one so far that gave a true flat finish, rather than a slightly shiny one.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Plynkes on March 08, 2008, 11:36:05 AM
Well, I've managed to russle up a few cans, so that postpones having to find an alternative for a while. Probably for months and months given my appalling workrate.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: pixelgeek on March 08, 2008, 04:20:27 PM
Can you get Krylon in the UK?

They have an archical matte sealant that I use. Smells like hell when it goes on but it is utterly flat and, supposedly, won't yellow.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Orctrader on March 08, 2008, 04:30:18 PM
Sorry, I'm a brush on varnish man myself.  Usiing Daler Rowney Soluble.

http://www.greatart.co.uk/DALER-ROWNEYSOLUBLEMATTVARNISH-varnishes-paints.htm

I have used Testors and liked the finish the spray gave, but prefer the control of brush on.  The Testors brush on is fatal.  Ruined some of my painting.

Quote from: "Prof.Witchheimer"
I'm using Rustin's Clear Varnish, a bit tricky to use...


Any tips on it's use?  I can buy this and if DR ever change their formula...
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Phil Robinson on March 10, 2008, 09:00:21 AM
I'm with Orctrader, as long as you shake and stir it well it always gives a good result.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Antenociti on March 26, 2008, 05:23:12 PM
I got this in on recommendation (daler rowney) and its pretty good. needs good mixing but then all matt varnish does otherwise it goes satin.

never brush testors on to figures without first coating it in varnish - testors is a true lacquer and can strip all sorts of thin as it contains nitro-cellulose (which can make a nice explosive by all accounts).

Testors brush-on isnt affected by the EU ban btw - just the aerosol.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Jules on March 26, 2008, 07:00:08 PM
+1
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: theoldschool on March 26, 2008, 08:23:24 PM
Gelleria matt from Winsor & Newton. Brush on, dead flat and unless you intend to bounce the figures off a wall no need to gloss first.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Antenociti on March 26, 2008, 10:40:24 PM
can also recommend that too! Been using it for ages and really like it - just a shame nobody (other than testors) does a good matte varnish aerosol.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Captain Blood on March 26, 2008, 10:52:45 PM
Pat - I've finally gone with your recommendation and gone for a bottle of Galeria - from Antenociti, natch!
(And can I just say - and not just 'cos here's here - but what superb service. Barely 24 hours from online order to the postman delivering the goods. Excellent. Thank you Antenociti  :) )

Sadly, having been extolling the virtues of brush-on Testors a couple of weeks ago (dead flat, no problems, no 'whiteys', easy to use, my world was complete...) this weekend I applied it to another batch of finished figures, and it completely unaccountably dried with a slight sheen! I tried a second coat. Same thing. I shook it, I let it stand and separate, I applied it in a warm room, I applied it in a cold room - there is just no rhyme or reason to it. What was a brand new bottle of dead flat matt lacquer three weeks ago, is now, inexplicably, a nearly new bottle of slightly satin lacquer...  

:?:  :?:  :?:

WHAT GIVES???!!!!!

So, on we go to W&N Galeria. I shall try it tomorrow...

I'm prepared to be delighted. Ready to be disappointed.

The inescapable conclusion is that there is simply no magic bullet when it comes to varnishes and lacquers. It's just suck it and see every single time...  :(
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: WillieB on March 26, 2008, 11:46:50 PM
Probably a stupid question but hey... it's me.


Can Galeria Matt varnish be used over oil paint?
Normaly I use Talens matt varnish or Testors but the former is somewhat satin nowadays and the Testors is unavailable or will be soon.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Helen on March 27, 2008, 12:18:17 AM
Dylan, I know I'm not from the EU, but I use Wattyl Estapol Matt varnish and its great. Don't know if you can get it there though, but worth a try.

Helen
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: theoldschool on March 27, 2008, 08:21:08 PM
Quote from: "WillieB"
Probably a stupid question but hey... it's me.


Can Galeria Matt varnish be used over oil paint?
Normaly I use Talens matt varnish or Testors but the former is somewhat satin nowadays and the Testors is unavailable or will be soon.


Galleria is an acrylic based varnish. I see no reason why not so long as the oil paint is absolutely cured, but I haven't tried it so I would give it a go on a test piece first before slapping it on (it's the best way to use Galleria) a painted figure.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: theoldschool on March 27, 2008, 08:24:51 PM
Quote from: "Captain Blood"
Sadly, having been extolling the virtues of brush-on Testors a couple of weeks ago (dead flat, no problems, no 'whiteys', easy to use, my world was complete...) this weekend I applied it to another batch of finished figures, and it completely unaccountably dried with a slight sheen! I tried a second coat. Same thing. I shook it, I let it stand and separate, I applied it in a warm room, I applied it in a cold room - there is just no rhyme or reason to it. What was a brand new bottle of dead flat matt lacquer three weeks ago, is now, inexplicably, a nearly new bottle of slightly satin lacquer...  (


I tried Testors, both spray and brush on for a while. The appalling reek of the spray made it impossible to use indoors and I am afraid the weather here in the Borders meant I could only varnish figures twice a year. The brush on got the brush off when I found that no matter how long I let the gloss varnish dry the Testors was lifting the paint, particularly bad on reds.

Best of luck with the Galleria, let me know how you get on.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Captain Blood on March 28, 2008, 12:00:55 AM
Quote from: "theoldschool"
Best of luck with the Galleria, let me know how you get on.


Pat - a triumph! I'm in love with W&N Galeria  :wink:
(Yes, I know, I'm fickle in my affections!)
Went on very easily, barely any odour to speak of, and seem to dry perfectly matt, with no hint of white bloom / dullness.
The only possible criticism I can make is that (unlike most acrylic based paints) it seems to take quite a long time to dry. But apart from that it works a treat.
I'm a convert!
Thanks for the advice.

Mind you I loved Testors the first time. It's once the bottle has been opened and a few weeks have passed that the true test of product consistency / stability kicks in...

But so far, so good.
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: theoldschool on March 28, 2008, 08:31:43 PM
Quote from: "Captain Blood"
Quote from: "theoldschool"
Best of luck with the Galleria, let me know how you get on.


Pat - a triumph! I'm in love with W&N Galeria  :wink:
The only possible criticism I can make is that (unlike most acrylic based paints) it seems to take quite a long time to dry. But apart from that it works a treat.
I'm a convert!
Thanks for the advice.


I'm glad it worked. You're right about the drying time, I find it best to do the varnishing last thing and leave it over night to dry completely. I think it is slightly different from most hobby matt varnishes in that it is more of a true varnish rather than just a matting agent in a carrier, which is why I reckon you don't need to gloss first.
Like you I searched for a long time for a matt varnish before finding Galleria. Now I won't use anything else.
Pat
Title: Alternatives to Testors?
Post by: Antenociti on April 16, 2008, 01:41:39 PM
Im not sure if this is one of those "you want it to work that way so you think it does" things but.....


i take the galeria matt varnish from inside the neck of the bottle where it accumulates after shaking and goes quite thick.  That seems to dry a lot faster and matter.


could just be wishful thinking though :-0