Army Painter varnish?

[Charlie_]

So, I've been using the Army Painter brand matt varnish for the past few months. No problems.

However lately I've noticed sometimes it's not as matt as matt can be.... Considering it says on the can "anti-shine" and "super matt varnish". My models are still shiny. I have a strange suspicion it's satin varnish.

I think this corresponds to when I moved onto my second can. The first one was nice and matt.

Strangely, loooking on the can, despite saying "matt" all over the place, in the fine print it says "ANTI-SHINE, Satin Varnish."

So which one is it??? It can't be both... right???

I've also got a small pot of their anti-shine which I've just brushed over my latest batch of 'satin' models, and it seems to have worked fine.

Looking at their website, they sell cans of both matt and satin varnish. So which one is it I've got? Very odd.

By the way, if it is satin.. How does satin protect compared to matt? I wouldn't  mind giving everything one coat of satin followed by one coat of matt. I don't own any gloss spray varnish.

[Cherno]

Strange, I thought the anti-shine spray varnish was completely matte... At least it was for the can I owned. I stopped using it after a frosting disaster, and since then only used their brush-on satin varnish.

As for protection, I think the rule of thumb is the more shiny it is, the more protection you get. That's why some painting guides will recommend a coat of shiny varnish followed by matte. However, my personal opinion is that for regular wargaming use, even a single coat of matte varnish is more than enough. I reckon you could even not use any at all if you manage to keep the figures from bumbing against each other and hard surfaces, as well as staying away from munching fatty finger food while handling them

[olicana]

I reckon you could even not use any at all if you manage to keep the figures from bumbing against each other and hard surfaces, as well as staying away from munching fatty finger food while handling them

I never varnish, instead I paint with Humbrol enamels. Very occasionally a horse will suffer a little tail clash damage but, other than that, I've not seen any gaming wear and tear. More damage happens when stands of figures snag on jumpers and crash to the floor but varnish wouldn't help in that case - c'est la vie.

[obsidian3d]

I haven't tried their spray, but I've used a few other ones. The one time I had frosting with a spray varnish I was able to fix a lot of it by brushing on some of the Army Painter matt varnish from the dropper bottle.

[Jeff965]

This is the stuff I use, never had a problem with frosting or anything else and it gives a lovely Matt finish.
http://www.winsornewton.com/uk/shop/oils-solvents-mediums-and-varnishes/artists-matt-varnish-5-07-us-fl-oz-150ml-can-3034981

[Gary Peach]

Used many types of spray on, Its says Matte but turns out Satin... at 1st, takes a week to Matte fully.

Most reacted in the damp.

Changed to this.

Belton Molotow Premium Spray Paint Varnish Matt £4.70

Matte and usable in all weathers as it says on the tin.  Fog too

[Charlie_]

Perhaps I'll try a different brand once this can is finished!

Until then, I guess I'm happy with one layer of spray 'matt'/satin followed by a layer of brush-on matt.

[The Voivod]

I I use the anti shine when I dip, But I only give it a very slight dusting and it works a charm.
I can imagine if you five it a full coat it doesn't come out quite as matt.

I believe it has been developed mainly to be used with their dips.