Best Matt Varnish spray?

[Doug ex-em4]

In your opinion/experience which is the best Matt varnish spray and readily available in UK?

Thanks

Doug
.

[OSHIROmodels]

I have used Humbrol matt varnish in the past and it has been pretty good for the most part. Needs a good shake before hand and I've found it best used in short blasts rather than continuously.

[theoldschool]

Winsor & Newton Professional Matt Varnish. The one in the silver can with the black top.

Not the cheapest, but it dries to a dead flat finish and the nozzle doesn’t clog half way through the can. I buy it from Jacksons, but it is available from most good art supply companies.

www.jacksonsart.com/w-n-400ml-artists-picture-varnish-spray-matt-for-oil-alkyd-and-acrylic-uk-only

[Cubs]

Good old Testors Dullcote for me.

Apart from the quality of the finish, I like the small cans - it means the propellant doesn't fail, leaving a quarter of the varnish unused and unusable.

Price is so-so, but for me it's worth it.

[Dags]

The old Figures in Comfort "Deluxe" one made by HMG and now sold by Leon at Minibits and Stu at Col. Bills

IMO as good a finish as Testors, cheaper and available all year round.

[Doug ex-em4]

Thanks for the input. For no other reason than that I like the reassuring sound of Windsor and Newton (an Old School name recommended by “theoldschool” ), I’ve ordered their product. And from Amazon, it’s in the same price bracket as, for example, Humbrol.

Doug

[AngusH]

I've used Testors and Army Painter, and for price and results I'd take Army Painter. Really happy with it.

[Doug ex-em4]

The Windsor and Newton arrived today and a trial blast was very pleasing - excellent finish.

Doug

[theoldschool]

Glad it worked for you Doug
Pat

[Orctrader]

The Windsor and Newton arrived today and a trial blast was very pleasing - excellent finish.

Doug

Just out of interest is this over a gloss-varnished figure or straight onto the paint?

[Lowtardog]

I found that Figures in comfort has worked well, wasn't able to get it this year at York so have gone for minibits, not used that yet though

[Dags]

I found that Figures in comfort has worked well, wasn't able to get it this year at York so have gone for minibits, not used that yet though

It's exactly the same thing; if you peel the label off the tins it says HMG underneath 

[Charlie_]

I've used Testors and Army Painter, and for price and results I'd take Army Painter. Really happy with it.

Personally I was really NOT happy with Army Painter. The few cans of it I went through were labelled 'Anti-Shine matt varnish', but said 'Satin varnish' on the cap, or something confusing like that... (it was a year or so ago)... And it definitely wasn't a flat matt finish I was getting from it. And I had several of their cans (black primers) have the nozzles fail on me.
I made the switch to Winsor & Newton and haven't looked back. I recommend having a look for it on Amazon to find a good price.

I found that Figures in comfort has worked well, wasn't able to get it this year at York so have gone for minibits, not used that yet though

I'd be interested in hearing how the minibits one is, in particular how it compares to W&N, just so I can add it to my shopping list when I get a half-dozen paints from them to make it into a more worthwhile order.

[theoldschool]

Just out of interest is this over a gloss-varnished figure or straight onto the paint?

Apologies for the late reply. I've used it over a polyurethane varnish and straight on to a figure and there is no difference, dries perfectly flat either way.

[Hammers]

This is a discussion as old as the Forum itself and the silver bullet seems yet to be found.

Ever since Testors gave up their formula and I ran out of my last hoarded can of the old stuff, I use a generic brush on acrylic solution.