sealer/finish advice > maxminis.com- D&D minis, 4th edition D&D

Subject: sealer/finish advice

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Nyarlathotep333
Warrior
Warrior

280 Posts

Alaska

07/24/2008 4:43 PM
I posted this over on Hordelings & thought I'd ask over here as well. Does anyone know of a good brand of brush on matte finish? I've just about had it with the spray sealer I've been using. I sometimes get a frosted look, which seems to happen most often when it's raining out so I'm assuming it's due to humidity. Anyone recommendations as to what kind of brush on matte sealer is good & what online stores sell it? On the subject, how do you seal/protect your minis? Gloss, matte, dullcoate? Multiple coats? Spray on or brush on? I have been using Armory Matte Spray Sealer - two or three coats for sealing my minis. If I need shiny areas I use GW 'Ardcoat and paint those areas on once the sealer is dry.

Demonweb Called Shot: Myconid Feywild Called Shot: Wolf Champion of the Zombie Black Dragon - N333 The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair. - Douglas Adams, Mostly Harmless To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women! - Conan the Barbarian, on what is best in life My Website - Be sure to check out my painted minis gallery!

kestrel.ca
Underboss

1676 Posts

07/24/2008 6:05 PM
I had the same problem with Armory's Matte Sealer and have stopped using it. It might have been humidity, or lack of shaking. Whatever, I stopped. I currently use one coat of Purity Seal (for protection) and then 1-3 coats of Testor's Dullcote for a matte finish. Both are in spray form. When I need to spot seal, I have gloss, satin, and matte finishes that I can brush on, from both GW and Vallejo. 'Ard Coat would work fine instead of Purity Seal as well for protection. Unfortunately for your needs, I manage to get all my materials from my FLGS. Except for the most recent batch, I've been pretty happy with the Purity Seal/Dullcote combination. My last set though hasn't gone matte enough yet. I think one can was running out and I may need another coat before it becomes the matte surface I'd like it to be. Good luck with your sealer search.

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Fun Guy from Yuggoth
Cthulhufnord
Warlord
Warlord

10782 Posts

Umass Amherst Baby!

07/24/2008 6:38 PM
I use Krylon Matte sealer, I never have an issue with it unless it's really old. Regarding Armory spray paints and varnishes.... I've never had good results with them.

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zenthrus
Commander

4803 Posts

SLC, UT

07/24/2008 9:29 PM
Testors' Dullcote gives consistent quality finishes every time I've used it. As far as I've seen it's only available as a spray. Reaper's MSP Brush On Sealer is a very good choice for a brush-on sealer. Liquitex also puts out a very good brush-on sealer. My minis see minimal wear/tear so normally I let them dry for at least 24 hours after painting then seal with 2-3 coats of Testors'. If it's a commission piece or something that might get handled a lot more I'll play it safe and do a light gloss coat (for durability) followed by 2-3 coats of Testors'. I've heard that Testors' can yellow with age but I haven't seen any evidence of that happening with my minis.

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RedSkullz
Warrior
Warrior

230 Posts

Northern Ontario

07/25/2008 8:59 PM
I like using testors dulcote....i have also had great results from a product you can buy in the craft department in walmart...its a flat acrylic sealer, i'll get the company name once i get home from the inlaws. They also have a gloss coat. Just a forewarning, the flat sealer has a bit of sheen. (check out my Chainmail Gnoll Ranger in the crafters corner if you want to see how much shine/sheen it has) Its not truely a flat laquer, but good results and widely available in north america.