How do you protect yours? (Brush on Varnish)

[tring]

Hey people, looking for some advice about protecting miniatures with varnish. Following advice from Ritual I will be using Dullcoat but not the spray. I have had several bad experiences with varnish sprays and I am now going to use paint on varnish only.

So what do you find works best?

Preferably I would like a strong varnish applied first followed by a layer of Dullcoat. Any advice would be awesome and I would greatly appreciate pictures of miniatures you have used your method on so I can see the results.

Thanks in advance!

Tring

 

[QuietiManes]

Brush on varnish has problems of its own. Thickness, paint mixing and getting spread around, etc. I can\'t imagine not using a spray myself. I am lazy though! You might want to try putting the brush-on varnish through an airbrush? If you have one or can get one.

Other than that, I\'m no help at all. I think any glossy varnish/polyurethane etc would work well for you. Just need to get something thin so it doesn\'t cover the model in a quarter inch of goo. Ask around at your local craft shop, they\'ll have something good and cheap almost guaranteed.

The top \"dull\" coat is most important which you\'ve already got covered.

 

[DaRat]

Spray varnishes are easier, but they tend to be more finicky. You have to worry about environmental conditions (no draft, but an area that is well ventilated; not too hot or too cold; not too humid) and you end up breathing fumes unless you get a really good mask.

With brush on, you have a bit more control, but it is slower.

The issue of paint mixing can happen with either if you don\'t make sure that the paint is dried and cured first (24 hrs drying before coating should do the trick).

I suggest using an artist grade gloss varnish underneath your dullcote. I use Liquitex Gloss Varnish and then I either use Reaper Master Series Brush On Sealer, Liquitex Matte Varnish, or Lascaux UV Protectant Matte (I think that\'s what it is called). I\'ve tried different varieties, and I think that the Lascaux is the most matte. But, all of them will end up satiny if you apply them too thickly (so thin the varnish with water and apply thin coats).

All work well through an airbrush (and that\'s what I normally use).

Just make sure that the previous coats are dry before applying the next one, and remember that multiple light coats are better than a single thick one.

 

[tring]

I like the idea of using an air brush and I may start to dabble with it. I am thinking of using the GW pot gloss varnish and doing a 1:1 mix with water to make sure it applies smooth. What do you think? ???

 

[krom1415]

I use humbrol satin brush on first let it dry overnight,
Then use Daler & Rowney matt brush on, when i get this i take a little bit of the carrier out before shaking this helps give it a good matt finish, also dont use much if it pools trouble may occour.
I like the control of brush on, so i can leave twinkly jewels shinny etc also it ends up being quicker for me, varnish dry check, touch up finish, no smelly house with the wife nagging :lol

I\'ve had a lot of trouble with testors as its a laquer not varnish, the brush on is total shite and has fu :drool: cked up several of my figures also spray can do the same.
:drool: turned my scorched brown purple, I know the better painters swear by it, but I hate it with a passion., after two weeks of work can be gone in one blast :flame:

 

[tring]

Originally posted by krom1415
I use humbrol satin brush on first let it dry overnight,
Then use Daler & Rowney matt brush on, when i get this i take a little bit of the carrier out before shaking this helps give it a good matt finish, also dont use much if it pools trouble may occour.
I like the control of brush on, so i can leave twinkly jewels shinny etc also it ends up being quicker for me, varnish dry check, touch up finish, no smelly house with the wife nagging :lol

I\'ve had a lot of trouble with testors as its a laquer not varnish, the brush on is total shite and has fu :drool: cked up several of my figures also spray can do the same.
:drool: turned my scorched brown purple, I know the better painters swear by it, but I hate it with a passion., after two weeks of work can be gone in one blast :flame:

Do you have some example minis I can see with this method on please ? and where can I buy the products

 

[krom1415]

Yes sure, These are done with the above method, if your uk, all hobby shops and art shops have this varnish if your in the USA, I\'m sure it can be got there too. Hope this helps,

http://www.coolminiornot.com/200388

http://www.coolminiornot.com/189782

 

[tring]

OO I think we have a winner! Thanks you very much for your help!