Varnishing Figures

[mick]

Hi All.
I have finished one of my figures- a fusilier from Metal Modeles- but was wondering if it is normal to varnish them with something like dullcote to protect the paint? I am worried that if I varnish it it may damage some of the appearance of the figure. Do you guys varnish or not?
Happy Easter,

Mick

 

[Jim Patrick]

Mick, I used to dullcoat all of my figures but I found, in my case, that it did change the appearence and finish I had worked for (sometimes, suprisingly, for the better). Personally, I like what I can do with paint and not need a dullcoat. There are PLENTY of painters here who swear by it. The choice is really yours.
What you need to do is concider the figure you have. Is it too shiny? Is the sheen that is in place not realistic ? Sometimes a sheen, in certian areas, is desired v.s. a flat, dullcoat.
If I were you, I'd find an old figure and spray it first. If the results are what you were looking for, then go for it. If not, maybe you should try something else.

Hope this helps, Jim Patrick

 

[KeithP]

It's always a risk to scratch paint or damage during "dusting ops", I suppose.

I have mine semi stored in a glass cabinet out of harm (and sunlight).

I don't spray any coat when complete. You do run the risk of changing gloss to dull or vice versa.

I really don't think you need to to do it. Although I don't transport my figures to shows (yet ).

Jims comment about testing it on a old figure is a good idea if you choose to go ahead. Testing new techniques on experimental heads, figures or primed plastic sheets has saved me many a fubar.

Keith

 

[mikec55]

Mick,

Happy Easter to you. Personally, I always spray a little Dullcoat on my figures. It just seems to add a little oomph to the paintjob. Of course, at this point in my hobby career, my paintjobs can use all the extra oomph they can get. So far, I haven't had any Dullcoat disasters. Since Dullcoat does dampen things down a bit (hence, the name Dullcoat) & I might still want to keep that relatively shiny look in places, like rifle butts, I bought a bottle of Model Master Acryl which is a brushon glossy look where you want it after using Dullcoat. If you use it, you should definitely experiment on a spare part to get a feel for it because a little goes a long way. Good luck. HTH

Mike

 

[turcao]

Happy easter !

I usually Dullcoat all clothing of my figures, but always protect skin areas.
Skins have natural bright that should be kept.... fabrics don't.

Try to mask the face and skin of your figure with Teflon tape ( like a Mummy ) and airbrush the dullcoat ( diluted 1/1 with thinner ).

Regards,

Arthur from Brasil

 

[mick]

Thanks all for your replies.
Mick