Sealers?

[Boondocksaint]

I've only worked with resin and acrylics and used testors dullcote.

1.do you guys seal your work between coats?
2. What sealer do you use?
3. Can the same sealer be used for oils and acrylics?

 

[Showlen]

I've never used a sealer; what is it exactly used for? Protecting paints?

 

[Boondocksaint]

Yes showlen

 

[Guy]

I have been doing figures for over 35 years and have never used a sealer. I use oils, enamels and acrylics on most all figures.

 

[Boondocksaint]

Good to know

With larger resin kits we seal in between steps to preserve the work we've done and to protect it when were finished.

 

[Einion]

1. No. (Not usually to be more accurate.)
2. -
3. Yes, depending on which type you use. Dullcote for example can be used over oils, enamels and acrylic/vinyl paints but water-thinned acrylic varnishes may not apply well to oils or enamels, especially by brush.

Einion

 

[Boondocksaint]

How do u get a flat finish

 

[Einion]

I think the best way is to use paint that naturally dries to that finish, as much as possible.

But if you have to use an overcoat of some kind many modellers swear by Dullcote, although there are numerous alternative matt varnishes that are worth considering if it's hard or impossible to get.

Einion

 

[tonydawe]

Dullcote and Testors Lusterless Clear are two spray on sealers I've used for over 20 years and for the most part they work well.

The one major drawback of spraying sealer on your figures is that it reduces all the paint surfaces to an even uniformed level of "dullness". This can be helpful when you're trying to reduce or eliminate shine caused by paint, however the better option, as Einion suggested, is to use paint that naturally dries to a flat finish.

Sometimes you want your figure to have some shine on it (ie. exposed skin, polished leather, metallic surfaces) so the spray on sealer is not always the best option. One way you can avoid killing the shine is to mask the shiny part of the figure before you spray.

I often finish my figures with a light dusting of pastel chalk to simulate dirt and dust, and the chalk needs to a fixed to the surface with a sealer to prevent it from blowing or rubbing off. A quick spray of Dullcote usually does the job.