HELP!
- Problem: Shiny
- Solution: Matte Spray
So what isn't it working?
I keep a mini on the side board to paint on while paint is drying on whatever 'main' project I happen to be pursuing; in this case, the main project is finishing up the Grey Knights for the Little Tim That Could and the side project is this Rune Priest for the Client Pimp in Question.
Now, the Rune Priest was an experiment on a few levels, including a technique for speed painting and basing. I was happy enough with the results there, but I decided to work on 'glowy hands.'
"Well Brent," says I to I, "why not matte the model but varnish the glowy bits?"
(You see what I put up with?)
Thing is, I matte sprayed this miniature two or three times and it's still just as shiny as the varnish I painted on his hands!
Is there something I'm missing?
(What he means is, more than usual?)
It's a meager offering, and no real solution, but I've had good experiences with Testors brand.
ReplyDeleteHow old is the matte spray? Age and storage conditions can mess up a can, I think.
ReplyDeleteI just sprayed some minis with a year old can of matte that had been stored in the garage for the winter. I sprayed when the can and room were warm, but there were still some problems with the results.
The first question is what matte sealer are you using?
ReplyDeleteI have never had Testors Dullcote leave anything other than a dead matte finish after 2 coats, with one coat usually being enough. Krylon 1311, on the other hand, always stops just short of matte, leaving as slight satin finish. I never have clouding or fogging issues with either of these as well.
My current sealing method for gaming models is 2 layers of Krylon 0500 Triple Thick Clear Glaze, then 2 layers of Dullcote. The glaze gives a wonderful gloss coating, and gloss finishes are tougher than matte finishes to give the model a candy shell. The Dullcote kills the shine completely, and brings the model back to a full matte finish. When it's dry, I'll paint on some brush-on gloss medium for jewels, lenses, and other bits that should shine.
This also helps you avoid wearing away the sealer and chipping paint. Instead of seeing metal where the matte has rubbed off and the paint went with it, you'll see a shiny spot on the model and hit it with Dullcote again instead of breaking out your paint.
Dullcote is also great for smoothing out your blends, and it tends to mute the brightest highlights you've done so you can see where you should take them up even further. 1311 leaves the finish close enough to matte that you can use that instead for this trick instead of the Dullcote. They are similar prices, but the Dullcote is a small can and the 1311 is a full size can. When you just need a quick spray to see what blends need to be smoother and/or what needs more highlighting, it's a cheaper alternative.
Testors Dullcote
ReplyDeletetestors dullcoat as well
ReplyDeleteYou have a 50 50 chance it seems matte finish some times it just doesn't do what its suppose to
ReplyDeleteIf it is old, or not mixed well the matte will come out glossy.
ReplyDeleteIf it is a new can you could have got a can that was mislabled.
I've had great results with army painters anti shine mat varnish. It has been marketed on being very mat, as it's supposed to be used after using their dips, which are very shiny.
ReplyDeleteHow old is the flat spray? Age and storage space circumstances can damage a can, I think.I just applied some minis with a year old can of flat that had been saved in the spare room area for winter season. I applied when the can and room were heated, but there were still some issues with the outcomes.
ReplyDeleteSo anything "matte" works by putting down a layer of pigments or translucencey with tiny facets that refract the light and not reflect it. Think of it like a layer of glass shards all facing this way and that. One coat of varnish gives the dullest finish.
ReplyDeleteThe downside of this is that the MORE layers you put down, the less matte it becomes. If you keep laying it on, anything matte can actually become glossy because it just fills in the gaps that refract the light.
I would try one or two light think coats.
Testors Dullcoat is also the best.
Cheers!
M