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Hi all, I've recently gotten back into the hobby proper but I'm having to prime my miniatures by hand due to being in an apartment, and as such the paint on my minis is at risk of coming away when I handle them.

Has anyone got any recommendations for a non-spray matte varnish?

I use Liquitex , it has been great for me,
not sure if it is the same name over that side of the Atlantic

they also make satin and gloss varnish,
and I've started gloss coating the figs first, then going over with matte, to provide that extra bit of paint protection

Chris

Several companies make non spray can clears.

Liquitex, Masters, Windsor and Newton, Citadel, Vallejo, Golden. I'm sure even Army Painter makes a clear.

I use Vallejo and Liquitex. Vallejo to brush on, Liquitex to AB on.

I use Windsor and newton brush on. It's the flatest matte varnish I've ever seen


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However you won't get much protection from it. It's more for finish. You just need to be careful handling your models.

Pebeo also makes a really nice matte varnish. Supposed to be for canvas paintings, but works fine on miniatures, just water it down 50%.

I use the coat d'arms matt varnish and no issues so far. It's available here and only £2.50 a pot
https://www.blackhat.co.uk/product/139-matt-varnish/

I use AK Interactive Ultra Matte these days.

I used to use the Army Painter Anti-Shine Matte rattlecan, but I was always disappointed that it wasn't as matte as I expected, it was more of a satin to my eyes. The AK stuff is completely flat, it's just what I was after. I airbrush it, but it's OK for brush too.

 Bellerophon wrote:
I use AK Interactive Ultra Matte these days.

I used to use the Army Painter Anti-Shine Matte rattlecan, but I was always disappointed that it wasn't as matte as I expected, it was more of a satin to my eyes. The AK stuff is completely flat, it's just what I was after. I airbrush it, but it's OK for brush too.

I hear this AK Interactive ultra matte varnish is the best one for brushing or airbrush, for which is why I recently bought one yesterday. Tell me, since I'm also starting out, what is a recommended brand of brush sets to use with this varnish? Or does it matter at all?

I live in an apartment and have no issues using the Chaos Black primer indoors. Use a cardboard box for spray control and a little window venting, I have no trouble with the smell or anything to cause serious issues.

I tried using a non-spray before and just didnt like the uneven coating. But then, I suppose I may have needed more practice at it, which I was not willing to put up.

Neverwinter27 wrote:

I hear this AK Interactive ultra matte varnish is the best one for brushing or airbrush, for which is why I recently bought one yesterday. Tell me, since I'm also starting out, what is a recommended brand of brush sets to use with this varnish? Or does it matter at all?

Really it shouldn't matter - a brush is a brush. I can't say much more than that because I've never applied it with a hairy stick. I enjoy using the airbrush for a nice, even coat without having to worry about brush strokes, pooling etc. Though I know that doesn't help much if you don't have an airbrush.

Thanks all, I can get the liquitex stuff in my FLGS, but will take a look at the other brands recommended