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Hi all,

I use the Army Painter “Matt” varnish but it’s much more like a satin that leaves a sheen. This is fine for models such as my Tyranids but on my Guard it is extremely noticeable due to the flat surfaces. Can anyone suggest an alternative varnish which is an actual Matt finish? I live in the UK.

Before anyone asks - I varnish as I have kids that like to touch things!

I use Vallejo Matte Varnish shot through an airbrush, and it's almost as flat as Testors Dulcote (which is the flattest I've used, but can be hard to get). I've also heard great things about AK Interactive Ultra Matte, but haven't nabbed a bottle to try out yet.

You want the anti shine matt varnish to have a flat look

 Valander wrote:
I use Vallejo Matte Varnish shot through an airbrush, and it's almost as flat as Testors Dulcote (which is the flattest I've used, but can be hard to get). I've also heard great things about AK Interactive Ultra Matte, but haven't nabbed a bottle to try out yet.

I'd actually say Testors Dullcote out of a rattle can is more of a satin than a matte, at least when I use it, but I think it's a nice satin for vehicles, I use it for my scale model aircraft. Though airbrushing the tinned version of Dullcote is slightly more matte.

The most matte finishes I have are when I airbrush a matte varnish rather than rattle can, or just use a paint that is advertised as matte.

I think in general, more matte has more chance of frosting.

I swore off rattle can varnish after a particularly nasty frosting incident and went to airbrush. After few years of doing the hideous airbrush varnish cleanup, I decided to give rattle cans a go.

Found some W&N Professional matt varnish in the Range and it's been great.

These days, I spray indoors with a spray booth, so I don't know if that's helped with the frosting issue. Surprisingly, I've not been moaned at so far!

I use Pebeo's artist brand of matte varnish from a rattle can and I've gotten decent results out of it. I go for two or three coats for my gaming pieces and it's served me well to date.

You can get it in most artist shops in the UK.

Testor's spray is pretty much contraband in the UK now, as it contained banned chemicals.

A shame - never had a single issue with it. Warm the can in some water, take it and the models outside.

These days, I use Vallejo matte varnish through an airbrush, using a spray booth to spray indoors. Multiple thin coats, works a treat. Windsor and Newton Galleria matt varnish, although a brush-on varnish, also airbrushes well. Both are reasonably priced and go a long way using an airbrush.

I'd go as far as to say that a cheap airbrush and spray booth are worth it for drama-free matt varnishing alone.

I have used the Army Painter anti-shine spray can, but I find it inconsistent from can to can, the finish changes as the level drops and fristing can happen even after warming and shaking the can. It's expensive too.