Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So I've recently got round to basing my DE army and it looks very pretty and all that, but my powers of prophecy tell me that in a few months I'll be having to do it all over again. My foam trays are covered in snow and so is a good quarter of the table of the GW I was playing at yesterday. I've been having this problem with other armies too (apart from ones I've based with sand. Sand seems to stick, bizarrely).

So, how do I stop the flock falling off? Someone suggested varnishing the base, would this work?

Spray varnish the base that way you dont remove any flock with a brush and it will seal all your flock and paint perfectly, as long as you dont spray to much.

Ok, that sounds good, thanks for your help

Any UK-Dakkites know a good place to get cheap spray varnish from? This stuff is new to me...

Haven't used snow, but with sand I use heavily watered down PVA glue and just lightly brush it across the whole base. Seems to seal it very nicely.

Varnishing the base will work fine, and you can usually get them at your local crafts/paints store.

I would also use thinned down white glue... cheaper than varnish and works just as great.

You should varnish your models, however, it will prevent the paint chipping, so you can varnish the flock at the same time as your model.

Testors Dullcote is my favorite spray varnish.

Watered-down white (PVA) glue also can work quite well for basing applications like this.

You may wish to test some varnishes out before just applying to your entire army. Some can make your models unnaturally shiny.

So unless you want that you probably should test the stuff you purchase first.

Krylon Krystal Clear is a good alternative. Go to any art store and they will have matte varnishes for sealing paintings et al.

 Grey Templar wrote:
You may wish to test some varnishes out before just applying to your entire army. Some can make your models unnaturally shiny.

So unless you want that you probably should test the stuff you purchase first.

Which is why the Omnipotent Emperor (TM) supplied us with the holy Matt Varnish

 Ifurita wrote:
Krylon Krystal Clear is a good alternative. Go to any art store and they will have matte varnishes for sealing paintings et al.

i've used this product and I can tell you it dries quickly but tends to dry with a satiny finish. Not a full on future shine, but a noticeable gleam persists after use.

 Requiem wrote:

 Grey Templar wrote:
You may wish to test some varnishes out before just applying to your entire army. Some can make your models unnaturally shiny.

So unless you want that you probably should test the stuff you purchase first.

Which is why the Omnipotent Emperor (TM) supplied us with the holy Matt Varnish

To Ward off the scratches

Ok, so any old matt varnish from my local craft store should do the trick? After having tested it first, of course.

Woodland Scenics "Scenic Cement" isn't expensive and is thin enough that you can apply it after flocking. It's intended for just what you are asking about. It will strengthen the bond between base and flock and won't add any shine.

As for matte spray, I've found that hardware/craft store matte sprays almost leave a touch of a satin sheen. I don't mind it, but it is there. If you want truely flat, I recommend a brush on matte varnish (head to your local art store) watered down a bit, or Testors Dulcote.

Awesome, thanks for the help!

As I say, it may take a few goes to find the right thing but as long as I test it on a single model first, I shouldn't ruin the look of my army!