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I've heard many people say that they use Testors Dullcote on their models, but I always thought you couldn't use a lacquer on acrylic paint?

It is perfectly ok to mix mediums that are once the first is completely dry.

I always use a gloss varnish then putt the dullcote on top.

 Orinoco wrote:
I always use a gloss varnish then putt the dullcote on top.

I've also heard this a few times, what's a good gloss varnish to use?

Some people say that a gloss coat is stronger and more durable.

I drown my models with Testors Dullcote and I use GW, P3, and Vallejo Paints on them. I have NEVER had a problem with Dullcote.

If you are crazy paranoid about your models you could put down a gloss coat first, but that is just one more step and one more place for things to screw up - I have had horrible luck with gloss sealer (frosting, grit, etc.)

Gloss varnish is indeed stronger (some folks on Dakka could quote lab tests to that effect), but I honestly don't think it makes an appreciable difference to the wargamer. For us, an extra coat will do more good than changing luster. Besides, lacquers are generally stronger than acrylics, so I wouldn't be surprised if Dullcote trumped an acrylic gloss (of course, I have no idea if it actually would) in strength.

I put down a gloss coat (sometimes multiple) under the Dullcote not because it's specifically stronger, but because it's cheaper. Not inherently so - most brands charge the same for equivalent cans, regardless of luster - but I've found gloss coats to be less finicky than matte, meaning I can buy cheaper brands without sacrificing quality, whereas I insist on the finish of the somewhat more expensive Dullcote. I get both the look and protection I want for less money this way.

To return to the question in the OP, mixing mediums directly will make a mess of things, but you're fine once they dry. There are exceptions when harsh solvents in the new layer might affect the underlying one (lacquer and enamel sprays can make some inks re-liquify and run, for example) or adhesion will be hampered (painting acrylic over unsealed oils). Varnishing over cured acrylic, though, is generally safe.

Sorry about the thread-cromancy but I've been using Dullcote matte recently and felt I should post my experience of both the spray and the brush on product.
Initially to seal my Necromunda minis I was just using a spray of Dullcote to protect them. The matte effect is excellent but the metals are slightly less vibrant than they were before the coat. Also paint has chipped off so they would either need more thin coats or a more durable finish than a light spray of Dullcote.
So after my spray ran out I decided I would get some brush on stuff cos I've got a load of Pitslaves and Goliaths to seal and want the metal to be shiny so brushing on gloss/matte finishes would allow me to achieve a nice effect. The gloss I'm using is Coat d'Arms gloss, the matte is a 51ml bottle of Dullcote.
So first I hit a Goliath ganger with the gloss, then I decanted a bit of the Dullcote onto my (messy with dry paint) paint palette. As I was applying the Dullcote I noticed I was getting smears of paint onto the model. The Dullcote was attacking the paint on the palette and it was being brushed on to my mini! So then I used a clean receptacle (the plastic from a blister pack) to continue applying the matte. Again, I was getting coloured streaks. It was coming from paint hidden in the ferrule of the paint brush I was using to apply to paint. I was using an old brush but it looked clean, but evidently not. So I cleaned the brush in some zest-it and gave the brush a good cleaning with some masters brush soap. The matte went on no problem.
Next i put some on a gloss varnished Goliath heavy. Everything was clean and the matte went on no problem. For some stupid reason I also matted the metal of the autocannon and the result is pretty poor. The metal has absolutely no lustre and actually looks cloudy. Whoops. So i need to re paint that sucker.
Next I varnished another Goliath. I gloss coated him as was my now method, and then applied the matte. I must've missed I little bit of the minis neck with the gloss though cos as I painted the matte on the paint started to smudge. I had pooled up quite a bit of matte in that area (stupidly) as I had just dipped the brush in the Dullcote and was drawing the matte out from one point on the mini. But I noticed the paint smudging and could see the paint coming away from the mini.

So what I've learned with Dullcote is-
Use a very clean brush to apply it.
If you decant it out of the bottle, make sure the new container is clean.
Varnish the mini with another product first.
Use thin coats.
Don't use it over metal paint.

Hope this helps!

cardyfreak wrote:
Also paint has chipped off so they would either need more thin coats or a more durable finish than a light spray of Dullcote.

This isn't really surprising. Dullcote is just a matte finish, it doesn't add any real protection. If you need chip protection do a gloss coat first since it's thicker and more durable, and then do the matte layer to kill the shine.

So first I hit a Goliath ganger with the gloss, then I decanted a bit of the Dullcote onto my (messy with dry paint) paint palette. As I was applying the Dullcote I noticed I was getting smears of paint onto the model. The Dullcote was attacking the paint on the palette and it was being brushed on to my mini! So then I used a clean receptacle (the plastic from a blister pack) to continue applying the matte. Again, I was getting coloured streaks. It was coming from paint hidden in the ferrule of the paint brush I was using to apply to paint.

This is why it's a spray varnish. There's probably all kinds of nasty solvents in it (read the warning label about how bad it is if you inhale it) that will dissolve paint. When you spray it that stuff evaporates fast, and there's no dragging force to disrupt the paint before it dries again. As long as you spray it from the can like you're supposed to you won't have any problems with streaking.

For some stupid reason I also matted the metal of the autocannon and the result is pretty poor. The metal has absolutely no lustre and actually looks cloudy.

Yep, that's what a matte finish does, and dullcote is very good at it. If you need some areas to be shiny at the end then either mask them before you spray or paint them later.

 Peregrine wrote:

For some stupid reason I also matted the metal of the autocannon and the result is pretty poor. The metal has absolutely no lustre and actually looks cloudy.

Yep, that's what a matte finish does, and dullcote is very good at it. If you need some areas to be shiny at the end then either mask them before you spray or paint them later.

Or spray with Dullcote, and then go back over the parts you want to be shiny with a brush-on gloss.

 Peregrine wrote:

cardyfreak wrote:
Also paint has chipped off so they would either need more thin coats or a more durable finish than a light spray of Dullcote.

This isn't really surprising. Dullcote is just a matte finish, it doesn't add any real protection. If you need chip protection do a gloss coat first since it's thicker and more durable, and then do the matte layer to kill the shine.

I do this as well. Then I go back over the dullcote with brush-on gloss for lenses and other glossy bits, as suggested by insaniak.

 Todosi wrote:
Some people say that a gloss coat is stronger and more durable.

That'd be because it's true.

Gloss is for protection. Matt is to take the shine off.

Matt varnishes do not offer anywhere near the protection of the gloss ones, but they do tend to leave our toys looking toylike.

I usually end up with Glosscoate first anyway to help me with decals, then hit them with dullcoate to fix them and take off the shine