As with any of my models, I prefer a matte finish and will seal my completed projects with a matte varnish like Testors Dullcote. These particulates are suspended in the varnish. Difference Between Matte or Satin Varnish? There is a need to varnish your miniatures and models. I may have to go back to using the expensive Testors since I paint for gaming and expect most of my models to get a fair amount of handling. If you can cool your aerosol spray varnish down (~12C or 53F) before spraying it, this will also help prevent the frosted effect. I do plan to get more Dullcote when it becomes more readily available. Pingback: Learning Bench 2019-10-30 – Hobby Painting Brussels. Twitch link in our Bio! Using Tamiya and others. It isn't about anything more than the bottom line--I would imagine they invest a serious chunk of money into the scale model paint lines, and if the return on the investment isn't there, the shareholders squawk. I found what I needed at a not so local Hobby Town and it was the ONLY bottle of the stuff they had. *NM* Tamiya Flat isn't a true flat--more of an eggshell sheen. Use a matte spray varnish to create an evenly lit surface across the entire miniature. Oh yes I should clarify. In case you've been checking the Testors.com website and wondering why it hasn't been updated for God knows how long, here's why. I used Testors Dullcote in a spray can, and shook it thoroughly for about 90 seconds. The enamel #2936 High Gloss Clearcoat in a spray can no longer exists, though you can still get a 1/2 oz bottle of Gloss clear enamel. On the lacquer side, automotive lacquer sprays have dropped from 32 to 19. My Alternative to Testors Dullcote: a Water-Based Matte Varnish In a non-scientific survey of several website forums and social media outlets (i.e., reddit, Facebook, Cool Mini or Not ‘CMON’ painting forums, etc), I found that almost all miniature painters agreed that varnishing was important for their gaming miniatures and board game models. A little dry heat goes a long way to a nice finish , Excellent tutorial! What is the best varnish for painted miniatures, e.g., Warhammer and military scale models? You’re merely adding extra layers of a transparent medium over your model. After you have sealed the decal with thin coats you may apply a heavier coat if you want. But I found other products to replace them. In this article, I provide the core information you need to know for properly varnishing your models for gaming, display, or photography. Thank you. So, you’ve spent hours painting miniatures. The matte finish of these varnishes help even out surface reflections that can easily distort the hard work your put into the model. Drying/hardening time depends a lot on absolute humidity. However, the product description on Liquitex webpage (https://www.liquitex.com/row/products/professional/gessoes-mediums-varnishes/matte-varnish/) clearly states: I think this is important to take into account for better result. For miniatures, there is no added benefit in terms of protection for your models. The earlier Model Master, small square bottle Testors and the late, lamented Pactra Scale Flats. Well, yes and no. That's 22 fewer bottles than I listed in my initial post, when the count was 94. If you’re sharing images of your models, present them in the best light possible. As I said in and earlier post, hobby shops get their products from distributors. This is useful for custom-made banners that you might printout on computer paper. Free newsletter with monthly updates (no spam). One of the guys at my LHS told me today that Testors & Model Master has been sold by Rustoleum to PPG (ppg.com). What paint brands? It comes in a small can, but lasts a long time. The worst paint that I have seen for long term life is Humbrol. I've used MM since it's inception as my go to paint for my business. I remember when Testors launched their first branded acrylic in the early 1990's--the short-lived and little lamented Model Master Acrylics--and then the more successful Model Master Acryl line a few years later. Testors Dullcote spray varnish is an aerosol based medium, which means that it could produce harmful vapors. Overall, I’d use a non-aerosol based varnish on models where you don’t want to create a hazardous environment for people (or pets) around me. July 27, 2019 in General Modeling. There's also Tru-Color ( http://trucolorpaint.com/ ). The result should be a fully clear, transparent and non-reflective surface. This is the non spray version of the flat lacquer. The models will have a more consistent overall look. and the information blitz that Testors launched to make sure we all "got the word" on the hows and whys of the line. Gunze makes a dead flat--been using it for some time now. However, if the solvent dries poorly (e.g., absorbed into the paint underneath or mixes with ambient moisture) the dry particulates previously in solution clump-up. You can carefully wipe off the oil from the model with a dampened paper towel with soap and water (do not soak the miniature). Overall, the best clear coat for miniatures for gameplay or display are those you can spray with even layers that enhance contrast and protects surface detail. Spraying a varnish is the best way to evenly coat a model. Do I just need to shake it more? If it doesn't sell or sell well enough, it doesn't survive. Testors official FAQ regarding their paints and other useful tips.. When it comes to my modelbuilding guides, I will have to incorporate a section in each of them discussing the changes in paint availability as well as where to find what they need. If you’re applying on a vertical surface, only use very thin coats at a time. Additionally, Testors Dullcote spray varnish is vulnerable to adverse “frosting” behavior if not applied under optimal conditions (low humidity <50%). Thank you! Using Testors Model Master paints, I derived the formula for the Pilot version nacelle domes and the copperish-gold paint for the area behind the deflector dish, while Mike Anderson, a model builder and consultant for Polar Lights’ 1:350 scale model, derived the rest of the matches. But I always let it dry until I can't smell it, and this can take several days. As a routine procedure, I try to apply no more than 3-4 layers of any varnish. They're still on the Rustoleum website, along with the same products in 1 oz bottles. Disadvantage of water-based varnishes: The disadvantage of water-based varnishes is that they are essentially acrylic mediums (with suspended dry particulates). Does the 1:1 proportions require distilled water? Now, you want to protect your work with a varnish. The bit regarding cure and dry time is question #10: TESTOR ENAMELS: Enamels require 48-72 hours for a full cure. Some models in my gallery have a water-based varnish coating, but I eventually cover these with a stronger enamel-based varnish for longer term storage and display. Any news about this new line? I don't like their paints anymore so no effect for me. Check out my gallery where you can see models that I used Testors Dullcote on. We can moan and groan all we want, but RPM isn't going to change their collective mind any time soon. Then give it light coats of DullCote to kill the shine. Robert's post re:Rustoleum selling Testors & Model Master to PPG has yet to be confirmed. It’s a brush on varnish which provides an amazingly flat finish – noticeably flatter than Testors Dullcote spray. To protect your minis, you need to seal them with a varnish. Alternative sources. An isolation coat is usually a gloss medium and a permanent non-removable sealant that physical protects the paint surface from overlying varnishes. It can be relatively easy to rub-off a water-based varnish (just soak a cotton tip in water and scrub). … Believe it or not, they also lumped naval enamels under the figure enamels heading. again, Tamiya offers a great flat clear and semi gloss as well. I sprayed a model boat I made with Testor's Dullcote following assembly, and … So, the varnish won’t be as durable or long-lasting as an enamel-based spray varnish like Testors Dullcote. Everything you say is true. After a little time has elapsed, wipe off the oil with a clean paper cloth. Should I try airbrushing? I used to used Testor's Dullcote, but since they changed the formula, it is not the same at all. And that includes their 2 part system colors that require Ultra Gloss Clear Coat for a proper finish. That's right, the time is here, and we'll be reading the best and announcing the winner on today's stream at noon Pacific! Keep in mind that the only things we know for sure are as follows: The Rustoleum/Model Master online catalog that I listed in the post that started this thread is the latest documented list of MM available colors that I'm aware of. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Based on the True North website and a telcon with their president, I have a very positive first opinion of the product. Awesome! Airliners (Braniff), civil aircraft, real space, sci-fi (Star Trek), https://www.rustoleum.ca/product-catalog/consumer-brands/testors/. This doesn’t mean that satin varnishes will have a glossy finish, but your models will have a light reflective quality to it. If you waft it on as a mist that gently falls on the model its virtually dry before it lands. Ensure proper ambient conditions to reduce the risk of a matte varnish clouding over a painted model. Not only is Metalizer gone, so is Metalizer sealer, which is a perfect neutral clear coat that can be brushed over decals without having to spray the entire model. The last time I used Testors tube glue, I was still buying Monogram model kits for a dollar. For a dull finish, I overcoat Future with Testors Dullcote lacquer, and have had no problems. This provides additional protection for cleaning and dusting a canvas painting. Gloss Classic White lacquer and the required clear coat  are two of the dearly departed products. Worse, keep in mind that NO Metalizer colors were listed on the latest Testors website, but 11 are listed on the Stevens International site. Suffice it to say, a varnish does all the final work for completing a professional paint job. Put another way, it's all about financial performance. Do I need to carp about all of this? CONSIDER A PHOTO LIGHT BOX, Learning Bench 2019-10-30 – Hobby Painting Brussels, https://www.liquitex.com/row/products/professional/gessoes-mediums-varnishes/matte-varnish/, https://alkony.enerla.net/english/the-nexus/miniatures-nexus/miniature-hobby/how-to-use-miniature-varnish, Spray more than 6″ away from the miniature, Don’t use in ambient humidity greater than 50%, Apply in super-thin layers with a synthetic brush, e.g., a wide flat-thin brush, Clean off your brushes and work surface with clear mineral spirits or turpentine (Testors has a branded cleaner/thinner, Useful for concealing wet-slide decals on models (“a perfect finish”), Protecting custom inkjet printed banners and standards. An isolation coat (usually a gloss medium) prevents the “cloudy” or “frosted” appearance that can occur when applying a matte varnish (more about this below). I can hear you asking about Dullcote and Glosscote. Gloss or satin? A matte varnish contains dry particulates (like microscopic powder), which provide the non-reflective attributes of the medium. After using Testor’s dullcote over it, they were much less sticky but still. This ensures that the varnish solvent and the powder/particulates in the matte varnish are mixed. You can use a matte varnish, but yes, a satin varnish would retain more reflection. thanks, Some varnishes are slower to “cure” if they aren’t mixed well. If you are using enamel clear coat, automotive clear coat, acrylic clear coat, urethane or lacquer you must first use a thinned out coat. Testors Dullcote Lacquer 52ml Bottle. Can't remember when they first created it, but I suspect some 40 years or so. But, an isolation coat with a gloss varnish can prevent “frosting” of a matte varnish. They will look great for photographs, too! The finish makes the model. When a surface is coated evenly before the solvent evaporates, the dry particulates act as a non-reflective and transparent surface. The best two matte varnishes for protecting miniatures include: QUICK TIPS FOR HOW TO USE TESTORS DULLCOTE SPRAY VARNISH, QUICK TIPS FOR HOW TO USE BRUSH-ON TESTORS DULLCOTE VARNISH, The #1 Reason You Want to Use a Gloss Varnish. If sprayed as a thick layer, it will take longer. Hold your hair dryer about 6-12 inches from the model and apply hot air until you feel the model is warm to the touch. With a matte finish, your models retain their color and contrast under a variety for lighting conditions. Hobby Town...at least in my location...carries all of the MM enamels, but every time you check the paint aisle there are more "discontinued" stickers. This is a useful and informative article. The best matte varnishes are spray-on type sealants, such as Testors Dullcote. Overall, the best clear coat for miniatures for gameplay or display are those you can spray with even layers that enhance contrast and protects surface detail. I applied the dullcote in warm and dry air (the stairs in my apartment building) and made several light coats on each side from about 8 inches away. Clear acrylic spray does give a good surface to work on, and also has the added advantage of keeping the card from absorbing atmospheric water vapor over time. Worse, an article on the same project is having to be revised to incorporate the paint changes, as well as using valuable editorial space to let readers know what's going on. This is great for smaller models that you might want to have stand out on the tabletop a bit more. Thank you for this information for those of us that still use Testers enamals. You can get a humidity gauge/monitor from a cigar shop or. At least for now. Acrylic paint loves to absorb water (even when you think its dry). This is the only detailed article about best practices on miniature varnishes I found and I very appreciate the information it gives. A Quick Guide for Using Varnishes on Miniatures, My Alternative to Testors Dullcote: a Water-Based Matte Varnish. The following methods work with aerosol based spray matte varnishes, such as Testors Dullcote, Army Painter, Krylon, and GW Citadel matte spray varnishes. How badly each of us is gored depends on our individual requirements. In retrospect, I shouldn't have posted my comment without any evidence. I have old Pactra paint that my Dad bought in the 1960's and it's still usable. Too bad. You can get a 4-pack on Amazon for $8.50 per 3oz can (with free shipping for … And yeah, it is sad to see an industry icon leave our hobby, but there are other products out there. RELATED: WANT BETTER MINIATURE PHOTOS? That means that the non-metalizer MM colors have dropped by an additional 1/3 to 61 instead of 94. But, you can still get the Wet Look Clear and High Gloss Clear. By using a gloss medium first (no particulates), you reduce the risk of the matte varnish appearing as a cloudy surface. Thank you for the share – and great article. Varnishes also improve photographs of your models. Did you just ruin your miniature with a frosted matte varnish? I have used Liquitex Matte Varnish with a brush, but recently, I’ve tried to use it and it seems to have lost all of its matte-ness. When the matte varnish is applied via spraying, the solvent the particulates are in helps coat the surface evenly. One of the main ones in the U.S. is Stevens International. I, personally, have bought three or four bottles recently of MM flat black and had one or two go bad in the bottle before I had a chance to open it. Can you go to your local hobby shop and get these? Water moisture in the air may be absorbed into your acrylic paint (on your miniature), which then interacts with how the matte varnish coats your model. After the model has dried, re-apply the matte varnish using the frost-prevention methods described above. What about Vallejo Airbrush thinner? The final result of all partitions sprayed was VERY difficult to photograph since the biggest difference couldn’t be photographed – the smoothness or “feel” of each section compared to Dullcote. Chemical changes...generally forced by the EPA...have resulted in many paints going bad in the bottle before you ever open it. I had just gotten a number of colors in and had not had a chance to used them yet, mainly due to my wife's second knee replacement surgery. I will be using the paint for my next ebook and will also report in this forum about my experience and opinion. I wouldn’t use a gloss varnish as you may lose some of the perceived color of the metallic you’re using. *NM* Tamiya Flat isn't a true flat--more of an eggshell sheen. We are a participant in the affiliate advertising programs for Amazon Services LLC Associates, KEH Camera, Fun.com, and Blick Art Materials. When the stocks dry up... then it's time to move on to something new. I forget the number but its pretty widely available nowadays. As of this moment, here's the categories that are listed for enamels and the number of colors available: Figure Enamels. Walthers still sells it although it's listed as backorders with the next shipment expected by Nov 18. However, the vast majority suggested that new miniature painters learn how to varnish their models with a matte finish. Keep in mind that Testors/Model Master is a very small cog in the RPM International wheel. I was using Krylon. How would you varnish metallic paints? Sealing your miniatures with a high quality varnish is the final step to a completed paint job. Squadron is carrying Humbrol. Re-apply the hair dryer heat until the solvent evaporates from the matte varnish. Including certain colors that are listed by Hobby Town as discontinued...and including automotive colors...there are a grand total of 72 colors available to order. Leave a comment below! They are easy to use, durable, and work great to retaining the color and contrast of your paint job. However it’s water based, so reading your article it sounds like it won’t be as durable and protective as the Testors. But for how long is another question.. A gloss varnish will not make the overlaying matte varnish stronger or more durable. Do I Need a Gloss Varnish Before a Matte Varnish? But that doesn't keep our personal ox from being gored. I remember when the Model Master enamels made their debut in the early 1980's (1982, maybe?) Hobby Lobby has virtually eliminated MM enamels, but still have a wide range of Acryl colors. I apologize for that. Follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. To fix any tackiness, you can try and speed up the drying with a hair dryer. There are alternatives to Model Master, both the enamels and acrylics: True North ( https://www.truenorthpaints.com/ )--I gather these are nearly the same formula as the Model Master enamel line. The minis have had plenty of time to dry, I applied the first coat of Dullcote and about 2-3 hours after spraying them, I noticed white specks in several spots on the minis that were not there before spraying. This means they aren’t very different in composition to the paint you used to paint your miniatures. If applied properly, a nice matte varnish will look smooth and keep your color contrast high. Because of the similarities of these varnish formulations, the methods for restoring frosted models should also work for other solvent based spray laquer/shellac-type matte varnishes. You must first apply 2-3 very thin mist coats over the decal; allowing it to dry each time. This is particularly great for photography where you want to reduce “hotspot” light reflections. I have Model Master's that are 15 years and older that are still good as new. Case in point, I needed one lousy bottle of Model Master Steel for a Cadillac Ambulance I'm building for both a client and a magazine article. The pigment is light-fast (it won’t fade in harsh UV light) and will dry glossy. At the very least, the Testors product is convenient. Briefly, frosting or clouding can occur when a matte varnish is applied to a porous or absorbant surface. Sad, but it is time to move on. An isolation coat helps protect the painted canvas if there is every a need to clean or conserve the painting in the future. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I needed it now. I agree with the danger of shelf life. Liquitex Matte Varnish In wet weather gloss takes forever (days), while in dry winter air the flats can be handled pretty quickly after painting. I remember when they discontinued Floquil and PollyScale. As a Testors Dullcote alternative, I wouldn’t say it’s cheaper, but it definitely has a time and a place in my toolkit. Advantage of non-aerosol water-based varnishes: A huge side benefit of using a non-aerosol spray varnish, such as the Liquitex varnish is the cost-effectiveness of it. Since I will have to switch to TruColor, my paint costs for commission work will probably double. Depends on brand and whether flat or gloss. I currently recommend Liquitex Matte Varnish. Most the transparency should have returned to the miniature. A few people suggested that varnishes aren’t necessary, especially when models were destined for display purposes only. MRP, an acrylic lacquer, is one of the current darlings of the hobby, and GSI Creos still markets the Mr. Color lacquers. Large scale 1/32 and 1/48 A/C, 1/35 scale armor, HO railroading, East German and Soviet era uniforms. Testors Dullcote spray varnish is an aerosol based medium, which means that it could produce harmful vapors. IMHO, MM will be lucky to make it to January 2020. The best matte varnishes are spray-on type sealants, such as Testors Dullcote. And no because this is simply the way the free market works. Additionally, Testors Dullcote spray varnish is vulnerable to adverse “frosting” behavior if not applied under optimal conditions (low humidity <50%). Not necessarily, it depends on what paints you used. I’ve been experimenting with AK Interactive Ultra Matte Varnish. I let the sealer dry for at least 10 minutes then sprayed it again – up and down and then across. Gunze makes a dead flat--been using it for some time now. If in doubt between the two types of varnishes, matte vs. satin, lean toward a well applied matte varnish for your miniatures. Let dry. A matte varnish protects and maintains all your hard work painting the model. The liquitex instruction is for brush on application to avoid streaking. CONSIDER A PHOTO LIGHT BOX. Satin varnishes or sealants will have a slight sheen or shine.