What is Reddit's opinion of Vallejo Matt Model Color Varnish, 17ml?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Mod Podge is basically the same thing as Elmer’s glue. It’s great for a lot of hobby things, but I’d be really wary of using it to varnish 6mm infantry. I use Mod Podge quite a lot in terrain projects as both a primer and a sealer for terrain pieces that are going to be handled in game stores.

For your infantry you want something more like

this

Not stupid at all, I'm relatively new too. Just be careful cause the black wanted to run even the next day, so just apply gently. Vallejo Matt Model Color Varnish, 17ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PH9JPA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Z5RDQWAGXSSZPACET0EC

https://www.amazon.com/Vallejo-Matt-Model-Color-Varnish/dp/B000PH9JPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525989636&sr=8-1&keywords=matte+varnish+vallejo

Is that a decent one? There seems to be all sorts of matt varnishes from vallejo. Also do I brush it on or should I airbrush it on?

When finished, you could also put some matt varnish on the black parts of the armor to give it a subtle shine.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm looking at Vallejo Matt varnish, but there seems to be multiple types.

I'm looking for something similar to Tamiya's TS-80 or Mr Super Clear Flat. I looked on Amazon, and I found this matte varnish: Vallejo Matt Model Color Varnish, 17ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PH9JPA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_QZW3xb7HF30PJ

Reading the reviews, do I need to dilute this? Is this a flat clear varnish? And what brush should I use? I'm completely new to modeling as you can see...

Awesome stuff! As a mini painter myself, I would recommend touching up the cloth portions (generally just the non metallic portions) with a matte varnish. That will remove the glossiness and really make the models pop! It will also protect it from chipping and wearing!

https://www.amazon.com/Vallejo-Matt-Model-Color-Varnish/dp/B000PH9JPA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEQal1V-7Yk

So much to unpack here, but here we go:

I don't bother with priming with an airbrush. Airbrush is great for coverage, but a rattle can works just as well for priming and you don't need to clean your airbrush after priming. Rattle cans come in various different colors from Army Painter and are usually my go-to. I've never used Mr Surfacers, but should be the same idea. You're gonna get painting quicker if you don't have to clean your airbrush and rattle cans are a good idea.

Paints: Any acrylic paint will do and thin with water. Army Painter, again, offers up some really nice color selections and have much more pigment in them than Tamiya. Vallejo is pretty on par with Army Painter paints as far as pigments are concerned. There are a lot of paint conversion charts online that you can google. So if the back of your box recommends Tamiya paint colors, then you can find a conversion chart online that will give you the best thing to look at outside of the Tamiya brand. Amazon is good place to buy paints, but ya, you should be able to pickup anything from the local hobby store if needed.

"Air" brand paints (Vallejo Air for example) are great for an airbrush cause you just add them directly to the collector cup and don't have to thin them at all. Also work great with a brush cause you don't need to thin them. However, there's no reason you can't use normal paints to airbrush, just need to thin them with water appropriately (It's what the cavemen did before Air paints were invented).

Top Coat: I use Vallejo Matt Varnish and have had no issues with it. I do this with the airbrush and not rattle cans (Didn't even know there were rattle cans TBH) as if this pools wrong, you get some odd finishes (Can potentially ruin the model). Thin this with water, give a gentle spray over the model and you're done. I purhased that matt varnish about 2 years ago and have only gone thru about 1/3rd of the bottle. You don't use too much of it (Size of the models matter of course) but the stuff lasts forever.

Finally, some general advice. Tear down your airbrush completely when you get it. You need to be very comfortable with this process cause you're going to do it a lot. Before you spray even a drop of pain thru it, tear it down completely, remove all parts and have it down to just the shell. Put it back together again and do this a couple of times so you're very comfortable with it. You are going to clean your air brush a lot, and getting comfortable with how this process works before you start spraying paint is paramount to success.

There's a little tool in the airbrush kit used to remove the nozzle. Make sure you do this also, but be very careful when reassembling as this is a very delicate part. But you need to be comfortable with this process cause you're gonna do it a lot to keep your airbrush clean. 95% of your problems are going to be clogs to dried paint somewhere in the airbrush, so knowing how to tear it down and clean it thoroughly is going to be really important.

When you're ready, spray water thru it against some paper towel or whatever to get used to the trigger. Get very used to how the trigger works and how you can control the flow out of the airbrush. This is boring, but doing this for like 5 or 10 min just to get used to the trigger helps save frustration in the future. I do this with every new airbrush I get (I'm on number 4 for various reasons) cause all the triggers have different tensions and react differently. But doing this dry, without spraying against a new model, helps to get used to it and how it works.

Have fun! And welcome to using an airbrush! You're gonna be amazed at the results and the new things you can do like gradient effects, very nice coverage and your models are going to look amazing!

I use vallejo matt (yes they spell it matt for some reason) finish

https://www.amazon.com/Vallejo-Matt-Model-Color-Varnish/dp/B000PH9JPA

Used it recently on my Ciri Mcfarlane figure to keep the paint on the sword protected. Worked very well. Just diluted it with water a bit so it doesn't glob up.

I just ordered Matt varnish Vallejo Matt Model Color Varnish, 17ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PH9JPA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_i_MJZAFHP216P5KYMMH4Y6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks! Heard some people recommend that one before. Is it this one?

Vallejo Matt Model Color Varnish, 17ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PH9JPA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PjHcGbB8M8M0A

I have tried Vallejo matte varnish, but only on acrylic paints.

Vallejo Matt Model Color Varnish, 17ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PH9JPA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_uicXFbGAS5FG4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Hi there!

Yeah, I think it's manageable! Just, and this goes for any model really, take your time, go over the instructions carefully and enjoy! Watch out for the wheel assemblies, as they tend to be tricky? Personally I attach them as late as possible because they have a tendency to break off during building.

Price of materials is tricky. Are you going to buy an airbrush, or just paint it with paintbrushes?

First of all you need some good glue. I use Tamiya Extra Thin (commonly known as TET) and revell contacta the most.

The paints I primarily use are Tamiya Acrylics. They can be used for both airbrush and regular brushes, they go for about €3.5 for 23ml. Get the black, white, grey and some specific colors for this build. You'll build up your colors as you go along, of course.I recommend getting a good primer as well (if you're airbrushing, not sure about paintbrush).

Don't forget a good Matt and Gloss varnsih; Tamiya has these as well, but for airbrushing I use Vallejo ( https://www.amazon.com/Vallejo-Matt-Model-Color-Varnish/dp/B000PH9JPA/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_21_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KPJYCY6DQZ4FWN07X0QP )

These for sealing your colors and making sure your decals don't silver.

For the rest, you definitely need a good X-Axcto knife. (like, €4?) They're pretty cheap and last ages if you treat them right! Get some spare blades though, as they dull over time!

If you want your decals to lay down good, get some micro set and micro sol ( https://www.amazon.com/Decal-Setting-Solution-Micro-Scale-Package/dp/B01LXZ03W9/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=micro+sol&qid=1562308408&s=gateway&sr=8-1 ) They're about €10. You don't *need* them, but they make the decals adhere to your model much better and give a great look too.

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I think that's about it. Like any hobby you can go as cheap or as expensive as you like. If you need any help, feel free to shoot me a PM!

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Edit: also read this: https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/comments/9dhsqo/new_to_model_building_this_thread_is_here_to/

It's possible that a product like this acrylic varnish for models might do the trick as well. I've never tried it myself, though.

Thanks! Will Vallejo Matte Varnish do the trick? I'm new to the hobby.

This is what I would use.

I know Vallejo has https://www.amazon.com/Vallejo-Matt-Model-Color-Varnish/dp/B000PH9JPA Most other model paint manufacturers will as well but know that it is not water soluble so you will need to have white spirit to clean your brush.

Vallejo makes a good matte varnish, Testors makes a good spray matte varnish, and citadel makes 'ardcoat varnish, though like always, citadel stuff is kinda overpriced.

You could go gloss varnish if you want something very shiny, but I wouldn't suggest it, because it tends to look kinda bad.