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I'm looking for a way to protect my minis, i used some purity seal, and it lightened the colors and killed my gold coloring. Anyone use something else that lasts a while?

i've been using armory clear matte sealer...
cheaper than puirty seal, and doesn't seem to alter the colours...
i haven't had any complaints from customers, so it must hold up well...
i don't varnish my own minis, since i don't play games...

i never had a problem with purity seal, but i know that weather conditions can really play hell with primer and varnish, especially if they are not shaken up enough...

cheers
jah

I know most matte finishes wipe out the metallics but They've never lightened my colors? Maybe it's a "color brightener" like Tide or something (y'know, micro fluorescent particles to brighten colors) Just a guess. Anyway, if I plan to Matte finish a model, I paint my metallics in a solid base color (e.g. grey for silver, orange/yellow for gold, dark orange for copper) and then heavy dry brush in the metal color after the matte finish cures. Works for me and I know a few others that do this in a similar way. Just some ideas for you.

Note: I did use Armory Matte Finish, I haven't found a suitable replacement yet as I still have almost a full can left.

Modge Podge Matte finish: Watered down. A few coats of this stuff makes for a great coat, and a giganormous bottle of the stuff only sets you back a couple dollars at a craft store. It is commonly used as a kind of PVA glue, but when watered down this stuff works better than 'Ardcoat. I also like to brush stuff on, so if you like sprays better than ignore me.

Modge Podge, I've seen it at Michaels. Can you dip it or is it too thick? How does it react with mettalics? Do you have images? I think I'm still in line with the OP.

I am sure you could dip it if you watered it down sufficiently. I have not tried it, so give it a go. I have used it on my rhino on my blog, http://foxphoenix40k.blogspot.com and the metallics seemed ok. I'm too lazy to go find a pic right now, so you'll have to forgive me.

Mod Podge is the name of the actual product.

I just used it to varnish five minis. I used Mod Podge Matte Finish and watered it down about 2/3 MP 1/3 water. I am really happy with the result. It has a very slight satin-y finish but otherwise I'm very pleased (It actually improved, in my opinion, the look of the metals too). I actually dipped them (just to try it out) and used a paper towel to gently soak off the excess. I am really happy with it and the price is right! Like 5 bucks and I have enough to probably do my whole friggin army (4000+ pts of Orks). I will post images on my P&M blog later in the month. Thanks for the suggestion and I hope the OP reads this.

Awesome! Thanks for lending me credibility!

Daler-Rowney matt varnish, Brush on, £5 a bottle, fantastic result, perfect colours, even metals stayed good. Give at leat two coats for decent protection. with brush on, you have more control, less waste, even leave bits you want to stay shiny. and its quite runny, so you easily have time to do all the model without getting brushstrokes. Feth all this spray on pap, never again for me!