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Hi all. I started my vostroyan regiment, and I've been painting as much as I can. Ido prime before I paint, but I know metal can still chip. Is there a matte spray that can prevrnt the models from chipping, all while retaining the models paint job integrity, and that doesn't make the model look glossy and shiny? Help is appreciated!!!

I have had good success with two coats of Krylon clear gloss followed by two coats of Krylon clear matte.

The gloss give a "harder shell" than simply using flat or matte clear by themselves.

xraytango wrote:
I have had good success with two coats of Krylon clear gloss followed by two coats of Krylon clear matte.

The gloss give a "harder shell" than simply using flat or matte clear by themselves.

It's imperative to me that this doesn't turn the model shiny.

I do the same thing as xraytango.

Lay down the gloss, then put the flat over that.


If you do it that way it won't turn shiny, just make sure each coat is dry before applying the next or else it might craze and look really bad.

Also make sure you shake the can really well or else everything could cloud up.

You can also use those layers with a good brush on varnish. Vallejo has good ones. Again though, make sure each layer is dry before adding the next.

1. Gloss

2. Flat


Won't be shiny.

You might try it on a spare model just to be sure before you go for your final product, but I have had great success with this technique and I think you will too.

xraytango wrote:
Lay down the gloss, then put the flat over that.


If you do it that way it won't turn shiny, just make sure each coat is dry before applying the next or else it might craze and look really bad.

Also make sure you shake the can really well or else everything could cloud up.

You can also use those layers with a good brush on varnish. Vallejo has good ones. Again though, make sure each layer is dry before adding the next.

1. Gloss

2. Flat


Won't be shiny.

You might try it on a spare model just to be sure before you go for your final product, but I have had great success with this technique and I think you will too.

I really appreciate it man! Just out of curiosity, I have three questions:

1.) what are the benefits of the brush on varnish v.s. The spray?

2.) if using brush varnish, how liberally do I spread in on?

3.) what is the benefit of applying the gloss varnish before the matte varnish?

1. The brush on type is not as susceptible to atmospheric conditions such as humidity, generally speaking. Too humid and spray paints don't behave very well. They can "pill-up" or "fuzz out". Also you have to keep the spray in motion (generally if you spray prime you already do this) or else it will pool and be too thick in places (though clear isn't so bad for obscuring details as you can see through it, but it looks horrible if too thick).

You can also thin the brush on type with a little bit of water, but I nearly never cut it with water. I just make sure that I don't load down my brush too much (like paint, similar technique)

2. Don't be afraid of it, but don't glop it on, go easy.


3. The gloss gives you a harder, more protective coating than the matte or flat. I think of it as a hard candy shell. The flat knocks off the shine, but over time the flat can wear off due to handling exposing the shine again. When/if that happens just re-apply the flat (that's why I use two coats of flat, still haven't worn through yet)

I do gloss then matt varnish like a lot of people above.

The trick to getting a good matt coat is to warm the varnish gently and stir it very well to make sure the matting agent is completely dissolved and distributed in the medium.

The same for using spray matt. Don't heat it too much, just hold the base of the can under hand hot water for a while.

I use 'ard coat and then Vallejo's matte varnish after the previous coat has tried for about a day.

I've done what everyone else does here and put down a gloss coat (two coats of FUTURE floor polish, to be exact) and then a layer or two of Liquitex Matte Varnish to calm it down.

Unfortunately I can never quite get it down to that crazy super-matte finish I get when I'm done working with stuff like pigment powders or whatever, you know? It's never "primer-matte."

I could be doing something wrong, but I don't really care. It's as close to matte as makes no odds, and I guess those super-matte finishes are something reserved for display pieces. Minis you don't plan on handling often, so you don't ever have to hit them up with a gloss varnish.

You are doing something wrong, RottenDeadite - using Liquitex Matte when you want a matte finish! I hate the stuff, personally, but others use it quite happily. Regardless, it's pretty much universally recognized that their particular formulation is more on the satin side of matte. Switch to another brand or use their Ultra-matte if you want a flatter finish - application technique can only take you so far.

OP: I'd recommend Testors Dullcote. As a lacquer, it's a bit more resilient than most of the acrylic varnishes available. It also gives the most even, dead-flat finish of any of the brands I've tried. Consistently, too - haven't had the stuff frost up on me, once, across dozens of models.

I'd feel confident in the protection of two good coats of Dullcote, but I, like many others, usually do a single coat over a few layers gloss varnish. For me, it's less about the specific strength of gloss vs. matte (which I would argue is negligible, for our purposes) as economy. Multiple layers are best for protection and Dullcote is more expensive than many of the alternatives. Using it only for the top layer gives me the look I want while stretching each can further - any old gloss will do, underneath. Krylon Crystal Clear was my weapon of choice until I picked up a Future equivalent (Pledge FloorCare) and started airbrushing it for my gloss coats.

Is it okay to use Dullcote lacquer over games workshop paints? Does the Dullcote lacquer affect the paint on the figures?

husker074 wrote:
Is it okay to use Dullcote lacquer over games workshop paints? Does the Dullcote lacquer affect the paint on the figures?

To answer your question, yes you can use Dullcote over acrylic paint with no problems.

Next time just start a new thread instead of necroing an old one!