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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Pappa Midnight on October 30, 2007, 04:37:43 PM

Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: Pappa Midnight on October 30, 2007, 04:37:43 PM: Hi all,
Currently I use Humbrol Matt cote to finish my minis and have noticed that the results can be a little hit or miss.
I mix the varnish and shake it well, then apply a thin coat. Sometime it's OK and other times I still get a satin finish!!! :?

Can anyone recommend anything else?

I was looking at Vallejo or possibly an artist's varnish by Newton and Windsor.

Any ideas?

Regards
PM
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: gilibran on October 30, 2007, 04:46:52 PM: Daler-Rowney Matt Soluble Varnish

Have a look here:

http://forum.backofbeyond.de/viewtopic.php?p=25682&highlight=cryla#25682
Title: Re: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: Malamute on October 30, 2007, 05:12:40 PM: Quote from: "Pappa Midnight"
Hi all,
Currently I use Humbrol Matt cote to finish my minis and have noticed that the results can be a little hit or miss.
I mix the varnish and shake it well, then apply a thin coat. Sometime it's OK and other times I still get a satin finish!!! :?

Umm, I have a bottle of Humbrol Matt Cote that is almost empty which has always produced perfect results.

I purchased two new bottles of the same and now have a similar problem to you, they are coming out satin every time.
:x
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: Hammers on October 30, 2007, 05:16:42 PM: I gave up spray-on matt coats some time ago. Just like Malamute at all say, it is too much of a risk. I do a gloss hard coat and then brush on a reliable matt coat.
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: Plynkes on October 30, 2007, 05:21:54 PM: Spray-on Testors Gloss Cote followed by Testors Dull Cote works for me. Had no end of trouble with Humbrol, but have yet to experience any difficulties with Testors.
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: matakishi on October 30, 2007, 06:07:15 PM: I use Testors Dullcote. After my 'accident' with Humbrol last year I haven't used them again.
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: Ironworker on October 30, 2007, 09:34:20 PM: Well I don't like a totally dead flat finish so i use Krylon Matte Varnish because it leaves a little life in my colors and especially because it doesn't kill metalics. When I want dead flat I use Testor's Ultra Flat but it turns even bright metalics paints into grey so I don't use it often anymore.
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: SirAlban on October 30, 2007, 10:45:38 PM: I always use Vallejo matt varnish, and works really great, never satin
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: pixelgeek on October 31, 2007, 02:23:25 AM: Quote from: "matakishi"
I use Testors Dullcote.

Has anyone had any experience lately with Dullcote not exactly being matte but closer to semi-gloss?

I've had two cans of Dullcote that aren't anywhere near as close to the matte that I used to get from them.
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: Pappa Midnight on October 31, 2007, 07:09:32 AM: Thanks for the replies. Well I'm glad it's not just me who has had some problems!

I'm going to dig out some old painted minis and try a few different ones.
I'm having some difficulty finding Daler-Rowney Matt Soluble Varnish in the UK but I can get hold of Testors and Vallejo so I'll give them a try.
I'll see if I can track down Krylon as well.

Regards
AL
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: matakishi on October 31, 2007, 07:50:26 AM: Quote from: "pixelgeek"

Has anyone had any experience lately with Dullcote not exactly being matte but closer to semi-gloss?

I've had two cans of Dullcote that aren't anywhere near as close to the matte that I used to get from them.

I believe there was a problem with a batch quite recently that was recalled.
Personally I've had no problems at all.
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: KeyanSark on October 31, 2007, 07:51:02 AM: I also use vallejo matt varnish, applied with a thin brush, with perfect results.
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: number9 on October 31, 2007, 03:11:23 PM: I'll also chime in on vallejo matte varnish, though it needs to be agitated really well when the time between applications extends for more than a day or two. I also find the vallejo matte medium works well too. Not exactly sure if there is a significant chemical or compositional difference between the two but I've used them interchangeably with no ill effect.
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: Agis on October 31, 2007, 05:06:21 PM: Quote from: "number9"
I'll also chime in on vallejo matte varnish, though it needs to be agitated really well when the time between applications extends for more than a day or two. I also find the vallejo matte medium works well too. Not exactly sure if there is a significant chemical or compositional difference between the two but I've used them interchangeably with no ill effect.

I have tried it also, but IMO it is still only 2nd best after Testors (which is almost impossible to get in Germany :( ). I even tried the vallejo matte varnish spray, but it is still abit too glossy for my taste.

I will give the Daler-Rowney Matt Soluble Varnish sooner or later...
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: Pappa Midnight on October 31, 2007, 08:28:34 PM: I've ordered some Vallejo to try ( just a small tube) and I'll get some Testors.

Thanks for the replies.

PM
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: Prof.Witchheimer on October 31, 2007, 09:04:29 PM: but you have to clear varnish before using Testors, I had some accidents with it.
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: pixelgeek on November 01, 2007, 04:48:17 AM: Quote from: "number9"
I'll also chime in on vallejo matte varnish, though it needs to be agitated really well when the time between applications extends for more than a day or two. I also find the vallejo matte medium works well too. Not exactly sure if there is a significant chemical or compositional difference between the two but I've used them interchangeably with no ill effect.

The matte medium is the component that is used in the paint and is mixed with the pigments. So its basically the same material that is used to build the paint.

I don't think that it is the same as matte varnish.
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: Phil Robinson on November 01, 2007, 07:14:23 PM: Quote from: "Pappa Midnight"
Thanks for the replies. Well I'm glad it's not just me who has had some problems!

I'm going to dig out some old painted minis and try a few different ones.
I'm having some difficulty finding Daler-Rowney Matt Soluble Varnish in the UK but I can get hold of Testors and Vallejo so I'll give them a try.
I'll see if I can track down Krylon as well.

Regards
AL

Don't know if you have a store nearby but Hobbycraft stock it

Phil
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: theoldschool on November 09, 2007, 09:56:25 PM: Pappa
I've started using the Winsor & Newton Galleria matt varnish. It is quite superb. Straight on over the figure, no gloss first and it dries to a dead flat finish.
It's an urban myth that you need to gloss first, most matt varnishes are just as tough as gloss, the carrier is the same in both.
Pat
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: Hammers on November 09, 2007, 11:13:58 PM: Quote from: "theoldschool"
It's an urban myth that you need to gloss first, most matt varnishes are just as tough as gloss, the carrier is the same in both.
Pat

Interesting There's a lot of people claiming the opposite. My own experience is that you only get a true matt coat from waterbased acrylic mattcoats. These are however not as tough as enamel gloss coats.
Title: Matt Varnish Problem. What do you use?
Post by: theoldschool on November 10, 2007, 11:02:52 AM: Quote from: "hammershield"
Interesting There's a lot of people claiming the opposite. My own experience is that you only get a true matt coat from waterbased acrylic mattcoats. These are however not as tough as enamel gloss coats.

Generally varnishes use acrylic, Vallejo, Galleria etc, or polyurethene/enamel, Humbrol, Blackfriars etc, as the carrier. Testors uses a lacquer hence the appalling smell.
Unless you intend to bounce the figures off a wall (in which case I recommend a yachting varnish) a good quality modern acrylic is as tough as enamel and I have yet to find a matt varnish that will give as flat a finish over gloss as it does when applied on its own. All matt varnishes will lose their flatness if handled too much as the matting agenct makes it susceptible to the natural grease found on fingers.
The other reason I prefer to use acrylic matt on its own is that gloss varnish has a tendency to affect colour tone, particularly browns which go much darker. I have wondered if this is why some Foundry base colours appear to be ligher than one would expect as the Foundry style assumes a gloss followed by matt varnish.
Pat