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Hi, I use Army painter anti-shine varnish but despite the name it still adds a slight sheen. Are any of the matte spray varnishes true matt? I heard the GW one also puts a little sheen on. I haven't minded the satin finish on marines but i really want a flat finish on what I'm working on now. Thanks!

Testors Lacquer Dullcote has worked for me for 25 years. I use it on all of my miniatures when I am done painting them.

Testor's Dullcote is the best I've found from a rattlecan. AK Interactive Ultra Matte is flatter, but really needs an airbrush for best results.

I've ruined a few too many paint jobs with rattle-can varnish, I stick to brush-on varnish these days. I use the same Americana craft paint brand I use for everything else, never had an issue with it.

brushing on just scares me more than spray. Is there a danger of brushstrokes etc?
Will try dullcote, thought that wasn't well recommended but maybe i got my wires crossed

I also had a bad experience with spray varnish, I'm sticking with brush on Vallejo Matte Varnish. Good Matte finish, holds up for tabletop use. No problems with brush strokes, it's self leveling

 Freeflow44 wrote:
I also had a bad experience with spray varnish, I'm sticking with brush on Vallejo Matte Varnish. Good Matte finish, holds up for tabletop use. No problems with brush strokes, it's self leveling

Heck; if cheap-a__ Americana can get it right, Vallejo brush-on Varnish should be The Tops.

Cheap airbrush plus art matte acrylic varnish beats all imho.

Testors Dullcote for me. A perfect flat finish every time.

The key with spray varnishes is not to spray in cold or damp conditions. Moisture from the air can become trapped in the spray and cause an effect known as "blooming" which appears as a patchy or chalky white clouding of the varnish.

This applies to all aerosol varnishes. For best results, spray on warm, dry days.

When you pray with a can you NEED to make sure its very dry out, not to cold or hot also.

The problem comes when you go outside in either 60 degree or 90 degree weather with 60+ humidity. Even 60+ at 75 degrees you can see some problems.

Also, if you can is cold (in a area of the house that doesn't get to room temp like in a cabinet, there is a reason bottles/paints/cleaners say not to do this) then you need to let the can "heat up". You can also put the can in warm water to heat it up.

I air can all my mini's and they have never had any problems. I've been doing that for 20yrs now. You just need to know how to just like any other tool.

I just use Krylon clear spray paint (matte or satin, depending on what I'm painting). super cheap, durable, quick drying, never a problem.

If you want flat matte that is spray, Testors dull
If you are willing to brush it on, Vallejo mecha matte, Soo matte.
A slight sheen can be desirable though. Under certain lights, super flat looks bad.

 cuda1179 wrote:
I just use Krylon clear spray paint (matte or satin, depending on what I'm painting). super cheap, durable, quick drying, never a problem.

I started using this recently. It slightly darkens the color I think, but is otherwise great.

Testors Dullcote.

Tagged for later searching. I've been wondering this myself. Dont have an Airbrush. Dont mind rattle cans, but was thinking certain models would need a brushing.

Didnt Testors close down though?

Humbrol enamel matte is very matte. I used to use it a lot but now I tend to use brush on from windsor and newton