18 replies to this topic

[Luethar]

Hey all,

Once your mini is painted what do you use to "seal" the paint job?

Lue.

[ub3r_n3rd]

I think the consensus around here from all I've been reading is Testor's Dullcote

[Inarah]

I hit it with a clearcoat like Rustoleum Crystal Clear first, then Dullcote. Dullcote can rub off if the figure is handled. The clearcoat won't.

[Metalchaos]

I don't manipulate my painted model often, so I only apply a matt seal coat on them and leave then on my display shelfs.

I'm currently using an anti shine matt aerosol varnish from The Army Painter company. I personally prefer matt varnish because other sealer tend to make the model seems like plastic.

I can then use brush-on gloss varnish on specific area like blood, acrid or whatever part that would look more natural with a shinny apparence. I'm actualy using Vallejo brush-on sealer, I have to admit I never tryed Reaper's brush-on sealer yet.

I have had bad experience using Armory sealer. I didn't shake the can enough and I ruined a paint job.

Citadel GW product are just too expensive for my taste.

[haldir]

Tamiya's clearcoats are pretty nice to use. Just don't use the pearl if your going for a non sparkly figure...........

[Adrift]

I'm currently using an anti shine matt aerosol varnish from The Army Painter company. I personally prefer matt varnish because other sealer tend to make the model seems like plastic.

I also use the matte varnish spray on sealer from The Army Painter. I'm thinking of switching to Testor's Dullcote in the future; I'm undecided.

You just have to be careful to only do short spray bursts and not oversaturate the mini.

[CashWiley]

Another using Army Painter matte spray. I've only done one mini with it (currently painting my second, Ogre will be my 3rd) but it's SO much better than the brush-on I used back in the 90s, even the matte brush on. Really makes for a nice crisp looking mini, but I dislike gloss.

[Furongian]

I have had bad experience using Armory sealer. I didn't shake the can enough and I ruined a paint job.

Me, too. One quick shot gave my miniature an opaque cloudy finish that ruined the paint job.

I just use Reaper brush-on sealer now.

[Girot]

Depending on the model and what I'm gonna use it for will determine what I personally use. I used satin polyuriethane spray for my Tyranids. They are a little shiny but it fits the bug look. Otherwise I'm using generic matt varnish for other stuff that isn't largely metalic.

[Niranth]

Krylon Gloss (2-3 coats) and Krylon Matte (1-2 coats) Both are non-yellowing. Everything I've painted is for some game and will be handled, sometimes a lot.

[smokingwreckage]

I usually go for Dullcote because I have to leave my painting for months at a time and I can just carry on from where I left off. For stuff that was going to get handled a lot I would likely then do a gloss spray on or matt brush on. I might then hit it with dullcote again.

[Pingo]

The general consensus in the art materials world is that matte finishes do not actually protect paint finishes. Whether varnishing a painting or protecting a mini, first one uses a (usually glossy) sealing coat, then if one wishes a matte finish one applies something matte.

So first something to seal the paint, then Dullcote.

[Qwyksilver]

Two layers of testors gloss cote. One layer of dull to kill the shine.

[psyberwolfe1]

I don't because I have so many layers on a figure I think it makes my paint jobs hard as rock. If I do It is usually Krylon Krystal Klear Matte.

[Metalchaos]

You just have to be careful to only do short spray bursts and not oversaturate the mini.

It's also the way I do, short spray bursts. It's better to come back and apply a second thin layer rather then just one thick coat. I always seal my minis outdoor, so it's better when there is not too much wind. Other way even matt sealer can look shiny if you need to spray it too close to the mini because of the wind.