manoftomorrow010 712 Posted August 22, 2018 Question for those with more experience than I, do you use a varnish product? What kind? I primarily use Vallejo paints and have seen their brush on varnish bottles, and wondered about picking up a Matte or Satin varnish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stasy 2,483 Posted August 22, 2018 I've used the brush on mostly for effect (gloss to make armor shine) or to fill small gaps. But to protect models, the spray cans of matte clear coat are easier to use if you can. I use Vallejo bottles and I use Rust-Oleum matte in spray cans. I've been told Testors has a great spray called Dullcoat, but haven't found it locally. 1 manoftomorrow010 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBadAndy 616 Posted August 22, 2018 I have mostely used Army Painter (meh) and Testors spray on varnishes. However I have started to thin down vallejo’s Acrylic varnishes and apply them with my airbrush. This gives me a lot more control, avoids issues with weather, spray can performance etc. They seem to work very well although I can’t really say I have tested them for durability. The Satin varnish I typically thin down and brush on to provide an armor shine for stormtroopers. 3 Ubul, manoftomorrow010 and Stasy reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brightguy 113 Posted August 22, 2018 I always use a spray matte varnish as a finish to prevent little chips and wear. I keep some in a bottle around for the occasional piece I want to be shiny. And I've used it to create a flat surface that makes applying decals easier, but I don't decal for legion. 1 manoftomorrow010 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bohemian73 160 Posted August 22, 2018 I use various matte spray can finishes. I find glossy is just too shiny for most miniatures and reflects light more than I like. I use 'ardcoat to make body armor shiny, and standout from cloth or leather. I don't do shiny for armor on vehicles. 1 manoftomorrow010 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jocke01 672 Posted August 22, 2018 Matt spray varnish for my gaming models and some gloss I paint on for special effects. 1 manoftomorrow010 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manoftomorrow010 712 Posted August 22, 2018 Thanks for all the recs and tops. I was hoping I could get away with a spray product I can get at the hardware store lol the Rust Oleum might be my best bet there Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brightguy 113 Posted August 22, 2018 You can use hardware products for terrain, and occasionally priming, but it just doesn't really work for minis. Almost nothing hardware products are designed to be used on have the small detail that models do. Craft products can be a middle ground. But the reason that hobby products are expensive is that they are specialized and small market. There is expensive crap sold to the hobby market too, but generally you get what you pay for. 1 manoftomorrow010 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Tough Guy 362 Posted August 23, 2018 I Always do a coat of whatever gloss varnish I can find, at the moment it's GW's Ardcoat, for protection, followed by a coat of testor's dullcoat for a matt finish. While Matt varnish looks better, in terms of protection it doesn't do much, gloss varnish is a lot harder and is a lot better in terms of protection, so for gaming pieces I Always do a coat of gloss for protection followed by matt for a matt finish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manoftomorrow010 712 Posted August 23, 2018 5 hours ago, Mr Tough Guy said: I Always do a coat of whatever gloss varnish I can find, at the moment it's GW's Ardcoat, for protection, followed by a coat of testor's dullcoat for a matt finish. While Matt varnish looks better, in terms of protection it doesn't do much, gloss varnish is a lot harder and is a lot better in terms of protection, so for gaming pieces I Always do a coat of gloss for protection followed by matt for a matt finish. Interesting! Thanks for the tip. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stainsbury 32 Posted August 23, 2018 I used to paint on varnish or use the army painter rattlecan, or the citadel anti-shine varnish, but since using Alclad II Klear Kote I'll never go back! It's so thin and tough and goes on like a dream. I'm salivating just thinking about how great it is. 'Course, if you don't have an airbrush, then the rattlecan is the next best thing - just do THIN coats, don't let it pool and drip or flood details. 1 manoftomorrow010 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manoftomorrow010 712 Posted August 23, 2018 1 hour ago, stainsbury said: I used to paint on varnish or use the army painter rattlecan, or the citadel anti-shine varnish, but since using Alclad II Klear Kote I'll never go back! It's so thin and tough and goes on like a dream. I'm salivating just thinking about how great it is. 'Course, if you don't have an airbrush, then the rattlecan is the next best thing - just do THIN coats, don't let it pool and drip or flood details. yeah, no airbrush here, so it's the ol' rattle can for me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stainsbury 32 Posted August 24, 2018 21 hours ago, manoftomorrow010 said: yeah, no airbrush here, so it's the ol' rattle can for me Consider a Neo Iwata- they're only £65 and airbrushing is a lot of fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manoftomorrow010 712 Posted August 24, 2018 2 hours ago, stainsbury said: Consider a Neo Iwata- they're only £65 and airbrushing is a lot of fun. thanks, but I prefer the brush Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ubul 887 Posted August 27, 2018 On 8/22/2018 at 6:21 AM, BigBadAndy said: I have mostely used Army Painter (meh) and Testors spray on varnishes. However I have started to thin down vallejo’s Acrylic varnishes and apply them with my airbrush. This gives me a lot more control, avoids issues with weather, spray can performance etc. They seem to work very well although I can’t really say I have tested them for durability. The Satin varnish I typically thin down and brush on to provide an armor shine for stormtroopers. May I ask what you use for thinning, and what is your thinning ratio (for airbrush)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBadAndy 616 Posted August 27, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, Ubul said: May I ask what you use for thinning, and what is your thinning ratio (for airbrush)? I am using Vallejo airbrush thinner. I am still playing around but I find with the primer about a 2:1 ratio works well (two drops primer:one drop thinner). It’s reasonably forgiving but equal parts definitely makes it a little too thin. I have used the primer without thinning and while it works fine as a primer I get a few too many clogs in the airbrush. The thinner helps this a lot (although I still get an occasional clog). EDIT: I got mine in a hobby store but it’s the same as this stuff. Vallejo Airbrush Thinner 200ml Paint https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002X6DTHK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cNeHBbD07SV1F Edited August 27, 2018 by BigBadAndy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mini78 132 Posted August 28, 2018 I also airbrush my finishes with Vallejo varnishes (usually satin) and thinner at a 1:1 ratio. Have done for years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites