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Made in us
Nurgle Predator Driver with an Infestation





Eugene, Oregon

Hey all trying to figure out the best choice for some sealant/varnish for my minis and was wondering what you all use/recommend. Was considering buying a can of the rust-o-leum "clear matte varnish spray" but wanted to wait and hear opinions on what you all recommend. I know for a fact I'd rather have matte than gloss for most of my minis as if I ever need glossiness I can always paint on some 'ardcoat but wanted something more widely applicable to use on larger minis and to do larger batches of models with.

Hit me with your varnish selections!!!

Blistered Be.
40k: : 6500
2000(GK allies -Sons of Opet)
3000 Sons of Malice( played as primaris Salamanders)

AoS: 5500 
   
Made in us
Gargantuan Gargant





Binghamton, NY

When you consider this question, know one thing, above all else: Matte varnish is more fiddly than gloss. MUCH more. What works for one person may not work for you - temperature, humidity, how much you shake the can, how far you spray from, etc. matters much more with a matte varnish than a gloss.

That said... for specific recommendations, I swear by Testors Dullcote, available at any craft store, as well as most specialist hobby stores. Others work, whether applied by brush, airbrush, or aerosol can, but NONE have been as consistent nor given as nice a finish, for me, as Dullcote.

The Dreadnote wrote:But the Emperor already has a shrine, in the form of your local Games Workshop. You honour him by sacrificing your money to the plastic effigies of his warriors. In time, your devotion will be rewarded with the gift of having even more effigies to worship.
 
   
Made in jp
[DCM]
Incorporating Wet-Blending





Japan

Living in a country where precipitation and humidity are nearly constant, I prefer brush-on sealers. I use Holbien Matte Varnish, mostly because I can get it locally.

Now showing Catachan Jungle Fighters and World War zombies!

Painting total as of 30th November 2025: 136 plus a Deva King statue

Painting total as of 12/31/2024: 107 plus a set of modular spaceship terrain and two walkers and a quad mech and five giants



 
   
Made in au
Veteran Wolf Guard Squad Leader





Tamiya Flat Clear (TS-80) is the only thing that you will ever need.

 
   
Made in us
Mauleed




Pennsylvania

For me: Testors Dullcote for the win. I've had frosting of the models happen on a semi humid day with other retail brands or some that are labelled Matte that aren't truly flat but have a subtle satin finish to them. I've actually corrected frosting of minis by spraying them shortly after with Dullcote.

β€œTo be bitter is to attribute intent and personality to the formless, infinite, unchanging and unchangeable void. We drift on a chartless, resistless sea. Let us sing when we can, and forget the rest..”
― H.P. Lovecraft 
   
 
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