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Hi,

I just paid quite a bit to have a model painted to lead my wood elf army (a hero on great stag, I'll be posting pics as soon as it arrives ).

Unfortunately, the model isn't sealed. I asked at the GW Battle Bunker in Glen Burnie today, and they said they have a room in the back where they can seal the model for me, and it should be OK since it's indoors and the temperature is moderated.

To do this, I'd have to buy a can of sealant (probably the GW Purity Seal). But they'll be doing the sealing, and that's the stuff they normally use.

What say you? Should I say "yes"? Or should I say yes, but ask them to use a different sealant? The only other one I have access to locally is Armory's matte sealant, or whatever Michael's might carry.

Thanks for any tips!
Steve / RiTides

Sealing is the easiest part of the mini process.

If you can do it inside (preferably between 50-85F with less than 85% humidity) it's as simple as spraying the mini until it looks "wet", let it dry for 1 hour and then putting another coat on (as per Krylon directions).

If you want a semi or gloss seal I'd use Krylon or Killz brand sealant. If you want a truely "flat" seal than I would recommend nothing less than Testors Dullcote. NOTHING on the market will flatten a paintjob better. You can even gloss a model with super high gloss, hit it with Dullcote and it will look like it had never been high-glossed first. I bet Dullcote would dull down a real diamond even.

I'd ask them if they'll accept another brand (probably not since it IS a GW store). If not I'd just do it yourself in a garage or somewhere else warm and low humidity with $3 Krylon or Killz or Rust-o-leum clears. $11 or so for a can of clear is too much.

If you do it yourself make sure to grab a spare sprue (painted or not it doesn't matter) and spray a wet coat and let it dry. It is possible that sometimes, regardless of brand, the clear in question doesn't like that particular weather that day and will dry milky white and not clear. Supposedly it can be fixed but it's safer to just test spray it first (and no, painted or not won't affect the results. If it drys like it supposed to on a bare piece of plastic it will dry like it supposed to over a painted mini; if it dries milky white try again in a few hours when you notice a temp change or moisture change; or wait another day and try again).

I'll second what Fate said about Testors Dullcoat, its what I use on everything I paint.


Why did your painter not seal the model? I can't imagine shipping out one of my customers models without sealing it.

Thanks for the tips guys... I'll let you know what I decide to go for!

Can I get Testors Dullcote in a store (such as Michael's)? Or would I have to order it?

I get mine at Michaels (NW Indiana and Chicago). They have an aisle with Revell models, and in that aisle there's a Testors section with their little enamel paints. You can find it there. Make sure it says Dullcote...their Glossy sealant looks identical.

RiTides wrote:Can I get Testors Dullcote in a store (such as Michael's)? Or would I have to order it?

miceals may have it if not thewarstore does.. NEVER use the GW purity seal, as I personally and a number of friends ahve had wayyyy to many disasters with this.

i don't know about never using GW purity seal...
in the right environment it works fine...
1 degree off in the weather can easily spoil things though...
i've had it happen with many different makes of varnish though...

inside, you should be good to go...
the main problem is the price on the can...
if you are just lookin' to seal 1 mini, those bastards at the bunker should do it for free...

i definitely back all of the praise for Testors Dullcoat, though...
it's good stuff...
you still want mild weather and low humidity if you're gonna spray outside...

cheers
jah

Krylon produces a number of matte sprays. I've used several of them and they work great.