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Hey, i was just wondering what everyone uses as a final coat on their models. I have been using the GW dull coat but think it looks a little too shiny. I want something that is completely dull, any suggestions?
Also i've never used water slides and have started messing around with them, in what order do you apply them? is it waterslide then finisingh coat, or finishing coat then the waterslide?

Testor Dullcote

water slide first. for the perfectionist I think humbrol make something to paint over a waterslide before varnishing to make the 'transfer' part invisible - that nasty shiny bit around the colour. Somehing else to watch...if you ever try weathering powders use these AFTER varnishing - the varnish ruins them!

what are weathering powders and how do you use them? What affect to they create? any links to some examples you could provide would be awesome.

If you're going to decal the model it's best to do so over a gloss coat. This will minimize silvering and bubbles. I use Krylon Crystal Clear, usually 2-3 coats, then decal, then another coat of crystal clear, finally testor's dullcoat. It sound excessive, I know, but the peace of mind is worth it.

I use a pretty light spray of the GW stuff. It's worked well in the past. Armory (I think that's how it's spelled) used to be a cheaper alternative that worked well back in the day, but I haven't seen it at the local hobby store in some time.

covenant84 wrote:water slide first. for the perfectionist I think humbrol make something to paint over a waterslide before varnishing to make the 'transfer' part invisible - that nasty shiny bit around the colour.

Know what Humbrol product that was? I flipped through their site but didn't see anything that was for transfers

I brush on some gloss varnish to the parts of the model likely to be grabbed and over the decals, then use testors dull cote.

sorry, no idea what the product was called, saw it years ago being demonstrated at an aircraft show I was dragged around.

Weathering owerds are like a chalky dust 'make-up' type thing that you aply to a model after painting. They can be dusted on to create a similar effect to many coats of very light drybrushes or can be mixed with a bit of water, applied to a model and then rubbed off the raised areas leaving dirt in the recesses. Military and railway modelers use them quite often for weathering things whereas GW will usually drybrush on dust dirt etc.

havn't used them myself so i wouldn't know if they're worth reconmending. I would assume not, I'd be a bit worried about them being worn awayquickly due to the amount of handling our models are used, but may be suitable for display pieces.