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I played around with some artist paints on a recent model, and now his skin is shiny. What is y'alls favorite way to dull down the model when it's done? I have a cheap airbrush that I use for priming, that I could also use for spraying a matte clear coat, but I'm not averse to buying a rattle-can if it's that much better.

-Coh

In the past i used GW clearcoat. but now i use matt varnisch from a discont and it as good as the GW one. 3.50euro a can. it gives a nice matt finish even if some paints are a little gloss when painted on to the model.

My idol, Lincoln Wright's goto matte varnish is AK Interactive Ultra Matte

I prefer satin rather than pure matte - I use Vallejo's airbrushable varnish (product code 62.063).

Testor's Dullcoat is the only way to go for me.

Warptide wrote:
Testor's Dullcoat is the only way to go for me.

I’ve found that Testor’s Dullcote is too aggressive? Volitile? It reactivates inks and such, making them run. I’ve recently been very pleased with Mr. Hobby’s premium top coat.

I swear by Krylon-Low Odor Clear Finish (matte).

Yeah conditions need to be perfect for Testors. But I've found that true of most rattlecan varnishes.

I did not know Krylon made a matte varnish spray. I will have to check that out. Thanks KidCthulu!

 KidCthulhu wrote:
I swear by Krylon-Low Odor Clear Finish (matte).

Ditto, 3 light coats on average from the can from about 12" away, takes about 10-15 minutes to dry for each coat.

Testors Dullcote I think is now "Flat Lacquer". However, I also use Windsor & Newton's Galeria Matte Varnish trhough the airbrush- it only needs a bit of thinning, and it doesn't cloud up or leave too much of a dull look to it. I got the W&N bottle for my pro/ student artworks, but it works on minis too.

Whatever you do, try it on a black piece of paper- I'd spent hours on a perfect paint job and lost it to the "frost" of semi-dry paint still in the nozzle.

I usually use the Army Painter anti-shine stuff.

I use AK Interactive Ultra-Matte Varnish (AK183), that I apply with a brush. Since it's very liquid, I suppose it can be used with an airbrush. Really like the finish of this, although some times I reapply a Satin varnish to metallic stuff because it really dulls the shine.

 TheChrispyOne wrote:


Whatever you do, try it on a black piece of paper- I'd spent hours on a perfect paint job and lost it to the "frost" of semi-dry paint still in the nozzle.

This definitely needs to be said. If conditions aren't good, and you're not using the spray in the intended way you can trap moisture in the varnish. I know you know but this is for the benefit of people who might not. I always use an old mini to test for the dreaded frost.

It's not perfect but you can actually apply more layers of varnish over the bad frosty later to reduce it or even eliminate it. The new layer will go in and drive out the moisture in the old layer. This will work up to 2-4 layers and then at that point it's too thick.

I really like Munitorum Varnish Spray. It's not matte 100%, more like a satin-matte, but I used it on lots of miniatures, it's really cool because it comes as a spray and speeds up the process, however the room temperature and humidity interact weirdly with it..Overall solid option, especially for bigger models imo.

If you're using an airbrush, I highly recommend Vallejo Mecha Matt Varnish. It's got great coverage, very matt finish, and its pretty damned durable.

I use spectrum varnish from action. So far burnt none of my minis and stood the 1 year of protecting them adequately so I guess it ain't that bad. Yet to see how it behaves in the long run.

I like Testor's Dullcoat, but have had to try out other brands due to a lack of supply in western Canada.

I use Krylon-Low Odor Clear Finish (matte) for terrain.

My two cents,

CB

I use Krylon Fusion Matte Clear. It smooths out brushstrokes nicely and the end product is very flat.

I actually like GW Storm Shield Matte Varnish. AK Interactive's Ultra Matte Varnish is also really good.