Skink:
Hey guys! I have a metal model full of edges & spikes (veeeery easy to chip), so I must seal it! The problem is, how? Which products to use? I never sealed a model in my long career of hobbyist :o! So please, help me out! I am based in Europe, which means that I am not willing to pay costly shippings from Down Under or the States ;P!
Fuggit Khan:
For more than 30 years I’ve used Testors brand ‘dullcote’ lacquer spray on my models. Simple shake and rattle can, works great and none of my models/miniatures have ever chipped.
Geist:
Like has been said above Testers makes a great clear seal. Just make sure when you spray you dont clump, to avoid build up. Works a charm every time.
Skink:
Thank you guys! How do you use this product though?
A ) First a gloss lacquer, then Dullcote to kill the “shininess”?
B ) One single light coat of Dullcote, in a sunny day, holding the can far away from your model?
C ) A thick layer of Dullcote?
Fuggit Khan:
Gloss coats on models is only needed if you are applying decals. The gloss finish (along with decal solvents) will eliminate the decals from “silvering” from air trapped below the decal.
No decals being applied? Then don’t bother with gloss coats.
Room temperature works best, apply two light coats, allowing about 15-20 minutes between each coat.
Don’t hold the can too close, will cause runs. Not too far away either, will cause what hobbyists call “orange peeling”, basically the spray will dry in mid air if held too far away, so it causes a lumpy effect, which looks exactly like the texture of an orange peel.
Skink:
Gloss coats on models is only needed if you are applying decals. The gloss finish (along with decal solvents) will eliminate the decals from "silvering" from air trapped below the decal.Darn. Sounds complicated. Anyway, Dullcote is actually sold in UK stores, but the law doesn't allow them to ship cans overseas (dang)... And I am having a hard time in finding the product in German shops. Any other brands? Fellow European users???
No decals being applied? Then don't bother with gloss coats.
Room temperature works best, apply two light coats, allowing about 15-20 minutes between each coat.
Don't hold the can too close, will cause runs. Not too far away either, will cause what hobbyists call "orange peeling", basically the spray will dry in mid air if held too far away, so it causes a lumpy effect, which looks exactly like the texture of an orange peel.
Fuggit Khan
Helblindi:
This is probably not very helpful, but I seal with Lahmian Medium, and it works for me… The few metal models I own seem to be doing ok with that…
Abecedar:
Testors do the Dullcote in liquid form as well. I’ve only used it over army painter dip due to it coming out so shiny
Skink:
Testors do the Dullcote in liquid form as well. I've only used it over army painter dip due to it coming out so shinyWhich army painted dip? And how do you apply the dullcote afterwards? Diluted? Straight on with a brush???
Abecedar
Abecedar:
I’ve used “Army Painter” Quickshade Strong Tone on my Saga armies. Link below.
I was told to always brush it on as dipping can create to much coverage in places and the Dullcote just straight on with a brush.
One of them has a drying time of 24 hours minimum but I can’t remember which one.
http://www.chaos-dwarfs.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=15821&pid=269547#pid269547
TheHoodedMan:
I used GWs purity seal long enough and had good experiences but some people say they have grey areas on their models after spraying.
So I changed to Tamiya TS 81, which is regarded a top finishing spray for models (but probable not so protective like a gloss varnish).
Jackswift:
I don’t always seal (not always a fan of the result on a finished model). Only selectively depending on the model usage. When I do I have used brush on Matte Varnish by Golden. Paint on works better here as half the year I cannot spray outside due to winter temps (even prime with acrylic gesso to keep the brush on theme). Just make sure the bottle is well shaken/mixed and test it on something first to make sure it will come out how you want it. Unmixed or too heavy a coat and you start getting a shine which is annoying and hard to get rid of (without spraying on a coat of testors dullcoat 
which is my go to spray varnish when I have to spray). Cheers
Skink:
Thank you for your feedback guys! Unfortunately I can’t find Dullcote here in Germany… But I found Vallejo Gloss & Matte finish. Has anybody got experience with these???
Darkmeer:
I use liquitex matte varnish (like you use on paintings). I really think it works well, so I keep up with that.