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In the past I have used the Citadel spray-on matte varnish. This varnish creates a very slight textured sheen on most of my men. As you can imagine, this has been very irritating. This has happened with successive bottles of varnish so Im guessing its not just me. Has anyone else encountered this problem?

Also, can anyone recommend a non-GW brand of matte varnish. I am looking for both a spray-on and brush-on kind. Also, how do people varnish their character models? I have been using the GW spray kind but dont like the final effect.

Citadel matte varnish and all matte varnish will do that if you don't use it properly. Your holding it too close and are spraying too much on.

I use Krylon products

A good friend of mine introduced me to Testor's Matte spray.
I will never use anything else again.

I use Vallejo brush-on. Beware, though--Vallejo "matte" is the equivalent of house paints' eggshell, a very slight step glossier than true matte.

I'd never touch GW brand sprays of any type. I've heard a couple horror stories, and even though the product may be good in general, why pay extra for the chance to ruin my minis?

No thanks.

Krylon, Testors, and Rust-Oleum are all good brands that perform well. I currently use Krylon Matte over Rust-Oleum gloss. The result is a nice just-slightly satin coat that protects very well.

For a true dull coat, I hear you can't beat Testors.

Use Testors Dull Cote. You can even buy it at Michaels and use one of those 40% off coupons.

I strongly recommend Armory, which I can get at my FLGS. I spray it on, and I can't see it, but I can tell it's there, since the paint doesn't come off, which is the ONLY way I know it's there.

I've tried Krylon, and they recently switched the formula, resulting in that annoying sheen.

I also dislike Testor's Dull Cote. It is what it says, but IMHO, you end up with the other issue, it makes the colors much darker, and duller.

When I put on a varnish, I want to protect my existing paint job, not make a subtle modification. I've spent WAY too much time and effort trying to get it the color that I wanted it to have a bunch of spray on crap ruin it for me.

FWIW, I can usually tell a testor's coat w/o asking the owner, they have a very distinct discoloration to them. I guess it looks good if you want the weathering done for you, but I don't want to have everybody view my model through a slightly brown haze. Just looks like it's been in a smoking booth or something.

Sorry, did I mention I dislike Testors?

GW has stopped selling their purity seal matte spray varnish in Australia for almost 2 years it was so deffective when they changed to the new formula.

I have recently switched to Krylon spray varnish as it became available at my FLGS and it really is fantastic.

I've never used the GW varnish. I use a variety of varnishes either spray or brush depending on the circumstances.

I usually do a coat of spray polyurethane gloss as a basic sealer. If the model has decals on, I paint over the decals beforehand with acrylic varnish, because polyurethane solvent dissolves decals. Once everything is dry, I finish with brushed on matt varnish. I've never found a spray matt that is really matt. Apparently Testor's Dullcoat is the best.

If using enamel type matt varnish it's important to very carefully mix it to fully dissolve the matting agent. This can be done by warming the tin in warm water while stirring. This is a hassle so recently I have started using acrylic matt which is much easier to mix.

Depending on the model I use several varnishes in different areas. Most vehicles look best in a satin varnish (available in acrylic) while cloth obviously is best in matt. I may pick out details such as jewels and eyes in gloss.

Testors Matte Varnish-the last Matte varnish you'll ever need.

when I used it,it sprayed out a white puss like substance on my models. Then i sprayed it it again and it worked by then white paint was drying on my orks.

I use a couple coats of Future (Kleer in the UK) followed by Armory Matte spray. I just picked up a few cans of Testor's Dullcote (new formula) and have yet to try it.

Floquil Flat Finish. Made by the Testor corporation, but cheaper than Dullcote.

It also blends decals right into the paint too. Use Future, apply decal with micro set, dry, cover with Future, and then Floquil. Seamless.

I do as most here have said.

Spray with the Krylon gloss then Testors dull coat over the top.

I have noticed using just straight Testors will some times mess up blends and darken pigment,so, thats why I do the Krylon first.

As far as I know krylon makes Gw spray paint in the us. Gw can't ship spray paint on air planes. I use krylon cristal clear and the mat spray.

Humbrol Matte spray for me. Works fine.

gorgon wrote:Use Testors Dull Cote. You can even buy it at Michaels and use one of those 40% off coupons.

QFT

I don't spray-on varnish. Ever.

Testor's paint-on dullcoat (and glosscoat) works just fine.