The 5 BEST MATT VARNISHES that really work! (spray/airbrush/ultra matt/budget-friendly) 

Here’s a tip for varnish frosting: just apply gloss varnish. It completely disappears and then you can Matt it down again like it never even happened. Also I’d like to share my experience with poly-Urethane varnishes from Vallejo. I’ve used these through my airbrush and with paintbrush for years and have never had an issue they are my go to for sure. -ultimately finding what works for you matters most. For rattle cans, here’s a key tip for me: warm the can in warm water for 20 minutes prior to shaking it for 1-2 minutes. It will be evenly dispersed and reduce the likelihood of undesirable finishes. Happy painting all

As per Vince Venturella's advice I find 3 drops of ultra matt to 1 drop of satin varnish, through an airbrush, to have the best finish of any varnish out there. Definitely worth a try.

Army Painter Anti Shine (and Aegis Suit) are the best spray can varnishes I have ever had. I never had any frosting with them, compared to other brands like Citadel and Vallejo.

I've been brushing AK Ultra Matte on with brushes for years now - Great result every time.

Always nice to see overview videos like these. Not many channel do them.

Got started with varnish the other day when I realised I needed some to help waterslide transfers blend a lot better. Tried some Humbrol from a bottle at first which was terrible, but the Army Painter stuff was pretty good. Definitely left a slightly satin coat which didn't look bad by any means, but I found shaking the absolute hell out of the can for a few minutes gave nice results, even in low temperatures.

I have been using Vallejo matt varnish for ages now and for the cost its really nice. At first, I brushed it on manually but now I use it with the airbrush and it works nicely. Unfortunately, the varnish isn't super matt, but that's the only negative I have experienced.

Some advice regarding the ultra matt varnishes: Lucky Varnish Ultra Matt really needs 24 hours to cure. Mount the model on a painting handle or piece of cardboard to spray and don't touch it afterwards. Even if the varnish seems dry, it's very easy to rub off. Green Stuff World's Max Matt cures a bit faster, but still needs a couple of hours before it's safe to touch. Keep in mind that ultra matt varnishes in general are not that durable and pick up scratches and buffs easily - the more matt, the more delicate a varnish will be. For gaming, I recommend using the spray varnishes mentioned in the video, or using regular matt varnishes, preferably with a coat of gloss varnish first. A list of all the products & where to find them is available on my website: taleofpainters.com/2022/02/top-tip-stahlys-best-matt-varnishes-for-painting-miniatures-spray-brush-on/

I remember my first frosting experience... I varnished in my cold basement and left the minis to dry there. Not very optimal... But cleanup was surprisingly easy. Took some olive oil and applies it generously to the minis and left them for a day or two. Then gave them a bath to clean off the oil and varnish them again and not there is no sign of them ever being frosted. Nowadays I leave them to dry afer varnishing in a room temperature room and sometimes under my desk light and have never had any frosting happen to me. For varnishes I tend to go for Montana Gold matt varnish spray cans and they give them a pretty nice matt finish and they are reasonably priced at €8.5 for 400 ml here in Sweden. According to the can they also recommend applying it in two layers for an even matter finish but I have never needed that. And as a fun side note, their gloss varnish has the product name T1000, which I find amusing enough to share.

I use Vallejo rattlecan varnishes (gloss, satin and Matt). Matt is ultramatt, satin kinda matt, gloss is great for pre oil work. This is when I want to somewhat save the brushstrokes. If I want to blend the drybrush and contrast paints i use 3$ cheap rattlecan matt varnish as a first varnish (it's usually kinda glossy), wait for it to dry 24hours, and varnish it with Vallejo matt or satin varnish (depending on the miniature details: metallics, wardrobe, etc). This way i get smooth transition as the cheap hardware store varnish does the dirty cheap trick blending for me 😎 One thing important to remember is, you kinda want to go ultramatt as your first varnish, and you can drybrush it later gradually with satin and/or gloss varnish just the tip drybrusb for the shinier parts. You basically follow the zenithal rules for varnish also. The only time you want to go with gloss as your first varnish is if painting slimy or sweaty effects.

Right now using the vallejo mecha varnishes. They need to dry longer but are pretty resiliant etc. Also the matt varnish is like reeeeeally matt. Can recommend so far.

I use dilluted Vallejo Matt Varnish with brush. The finish is a bit glossy but it still looks acceptable for me. If i need the ultra matt finish i use the same varnish but with the airbrush :D

I know you were commenting on how some matt vanishes leave a grainy finish, but this grainy finish is actually necessary as a tooth (grippy surface) if you use any type of weathering powders to finish off detailing your models, just as a satin or gloss finish is needed for washes. So it really is subjective depending on the level of detailing each modeller likes. You can get a flatter finish, without the tooth with the matt varnishes you airbrush if you thin the matt varnish 50% with water for the final sealing coats...

Great to see someone include MiG products. While their paints can leave a little something to desire (except the sweet DIO line), their Diorama, Auxiliary products and Kolinsky brushes are top notch imho.

AK Ultra Matte mixed with Citadel Contrast Medium. Goes on with a brush, looks like an airbrush finish, very smooth and not patchy. Adding more contrast medium increases the satin finish if required.

As always, thanks for going to such lengths to share your experience and knowledge! I have a single can of Munitorium Varnish but am seriously considering buying Mr Topcoat on your recommendation. Especially since I purchased a Stormcast Eternals battleforce and would hate for all that gold to lose its lustre.

How I miss Testors dullcote

I too have had issues with AK ultra matt in the past, but it was from a bottle going bad. Before it did (and my new bottle) have worked without issue. The key to a even finish is to thin it down (even though it is already quite thin). A great advantage of thinning it down is that you also get way more control over the finish you are looking for.

Cool video as always.

You should try Vallejo Mecha Varnish its pretty amazing.

I must join in on recommending Vallejo's mecha varnishes. They cure to a really durable finish which is good for wargame models that are gonna be picked up a lot. They were intended for Gunpla where models have moving parts which will be rubbing together.

I fixed a Munitorum can frosting on me by just brushing on a layer of Lahmian medium straight from the pot. Restored the finish to the same satin as other citadel paints.

Ive used Krylon Matte Finish spray for a while now and really love the coverage. Admittedly I haven't looked to see if it leaves a texture but I haven't noticed anything obvious. Its pretty cheap for what you get as well. I've taken some older models that have some sheen to them and recoated with the matte finish and it brought them right back down to no shine at all

Great stuff friend 👏 👍

Key advice for varnishing, especially with rattlecans is to varnish at below room temperature 15C ideal, but humidity must be in a 50-70% range, this also goes for rattlecan priming.

I'm just going to shout out the Windsor and Newton matt acrylic varnish. Huge bottle for not a lot of money and it really matts everything down when applied through my ultra-cheap single action external mix airbrush. Dilution is not needed with this type of airbrush.

Great vid! Was curious if you've had any experience with the non spray can version of the premium top coat you'd spray through the airbrush?

I totally agree with your choice for your favorite varnish. I'm using this one myself for some time now after i tested out many other and i'm really happy with the results. However, as you have already said, this one is quite expensive. Therefore i'm using AK Ultra Matt varnish and thin it down with some contrast medium which also gives some great results.

If using a rattle can the hands down best is Testor's Dullcote

are there varnishes very protective or do I have to use the gloss, to Matt varnish technique

Windsor and newton general purpose. Goog price, nice finish, never fogs up

I use Humbrol Matt varnish in glass bottle (not the metal pot), with an airbrush. Worked well for my father, work well for me.

I also found the Army Painter spray can to be very satin or almost glossy. I just bought the Air version hoping it's better

I had a can of Krylon crystal clear acrylic coating I used on a lot of my miniatures. Since it left a glossy finish, I would use a bit of Testors dullcote over the top of it, and that seemed to fix the problem. But it's a little ridiculous to have to use two different sprays to get a good varnish. And truthfully, I didn't observe closely if it left any of the grainy look that you've observed in most sprays.

Useful video thanks. What would you advise to use to varnish metallics?

For rattle can I like krylon gallery series matte, this stuff is great and easily available in the US. In ideal spray conditions I too have had Citadel Munitorum ruin miniatures before.

VMS is hands down the best varnish, specifically the matt

Great video. Testors Dullcoat is the best matt spray can I have found.

That AK Ultra Matte 3:1 with AK Satin is a really nice finish.

I just _KNEW_ the no.1 choice in the video was gonna be a Mr. Hobby varnish. I've been using their Mr. Super Smooth Clear Matt for a few years and haven't found any other better spray can alternatives.

Now, I'm not saying everyone should switch over, but I've been using Mr Hobby Mr Super Clear flat for years on my acrylic minis with absolutely fantastic results. I really should pick up some of their topcoat to see if it's the same. I will say that the Mr Super Clear has an ultramatte finish from what I can tell. It's pretty much indistinguishable to my eyes to a layer of AK Ultra-Matte through the airbrush.

For those who don't want to use lacquer varnish then I would highly recommend VMS products varnishes. They are pretty much the go to product in scale modelling for gloss, satin or flat

Yesssss Mr Hobby!

Excellent video! I really wasn't expecting a varnish review. It's a whole little world I've been exploring as well. Currently I have been using Vallejo's premium varnish line (from the Premium Airbrush Color line) and it has been the one I have had the best results with in conjunction with VMS Supplies. At least as far as Matte is concerned. But Ultra-Matte, I'm starting a paranoid conspiracy. Has it happened to you after a while that the varnish "disappears"? I have many miniatures with the varnish and that have not been exposed to the sun or similar, but over time have lost the varnish and have become either Matte / satin to even Glossy. I don't know if there is something I'm doing wrong, or the ultra-matte varnish is much more delicate than any other brand and requires something more. Will something like this happen with other brands, or does Mig Jimenez have this tendency? On the other hand, Premium Top Flat is wonderful, but it's really a shame not to be able to find stock. The limitations of bringing sprays to Latin America is quite difficult... Have you seen Mr.Hobby acrylic varnishes in use? I've been exploring that alternative for airbrushing for example. Once again, excellent video my friend.

thx

I remember how good Model Masters matt clear coat was, a step or two above the Testors stuff and it doesn't leave a yellow discoloration to your models after a few years. Sadly, Model Masters line of paints and glue is now long gone. Mr. Hobby matt varnish is decent, though.

Testors Dullcote is the best matt varnish by leaps and bounds, but I don't think you can get it in Europe.

Thanks for making this! Awesome stuff. Could Mr. Hobby’s Premium Top Coat yellow over time? If wanting a semi-gloss finish, do you still recommend using a gloss finish first and then semi? Also, does it attract more dust than others?

Can you show do a video where you show off your new best airbrush varnish. Seem to recall a it’s 2 parks AK ultra Matt with 1 part Vallejo mech Matte?

I used the premium topcoat as you suggested for my Black Templars. Sadly I really heave problems with whitening/mild frosting on all black or dark paints with this spray. Do you have any recommendations against that? I followed the usual instructions (right weather/humidity, warming, shaking, distance and movement...)...

Army painter anti shine Matt spray is the ONLY varnish that has ever frosted up on me

Maybe something that could have been added to this video is that airbrushing on ultra matt varnishes is mainly to change the finish, not to protect the mini. You did mention that aerosol varnishes protect more, but I would go one step further and say that airbrush varnishes protect as much as an extra layer of paint does.

Interesting that you has several cans (and replacement cans) of Army Painter varnish come out glossy. I had a similar thing happen with multiple bottles (and replacements) of their washes, which let to me giving up on them entirely. AK Ultra Matte seems to have a (relatively) short shelf-life, after which it starts to aggregate in the bottle and apply more grainy, so perhaps that's what happened here.

Montana Cans varnishes are my goto seal. Then a touch up of gloss, matte, or satin to restore effects on selected parts...

If you can find it in Germany, Winsor and Newton professional Matt varnish spray is ultra Matt and has never frosted on me. It’s a pain to find though.

AK Ultra Matte Varnish is my go to with the airbrush. Needs to be well shaken and slightly thinned out with airbrush thinner and applied in very THIN coats, preferably over a gloss varnish that seals the minis in. hen it is the mattest of matts out there. So matt in fact, that you really do need to go over TMM with another coat of gloss varnish to bring back the shine.

Funny how the experiences differ when the same product is used. Lucky Varnish by MIG completely went mad on me. It was matte but went disgustingly sticky to the touch even after days of drying. What works best for me is the Vallejo Premium Varnish or their Mecha Line :)

I've brushed both vallejo matt varnish from the standard range and the mecha ranged and they made the miniature really gloss! I don't know if airbrushing them would change the results. I've used AK ultramat by brush and it made the mini so matt and desaturated that kinda ruined the paintjob. Might try the ak standard matt, or the new vallejo game color matt, by airbrush, specially for metal made gaming minis. It'd be super helpful to tone down the gloss from the washes (army painter or citadel) whilst not ruining your metallics like the ak ultra matt does

I use Valleijo's matt polyurethane varnish, applied with brush, never had any issues, before I used Humbrol enamel varnish, but Valleijo's are surely better.

How'd you get the lettering on the rim of the base?

Is there an airbrush variant of the Mr Hobby varnish?

Instar Paints Varnish+, best matt varnish and reasonably priced

I love the Premium Topcoat but have you ever notice that after spraying sometimes that metallic looking specs sometimes gather in the recesses? Only happens sometimes.

I was thinking on doing brushing. Any reason why you did not review as an option?

When the alternative is brush on, I guess I'll have to stick with the AP matt spray. It's relatively inexpensive and is readily available from my FLGS. Next cool trick these hobby companies could do is figuring out an airbrush solution to those forced to live in human resource storage units, or studio apartments as they're branded.

Do you have a solution to the fact that matte varnish ruins red paint? It’s driving me crazy haha. I really want a proper matte varnish but my normal method of brush painting on ak ultra matte with a bit of satin mixed in makes red look crap. Other colours are fine

Thanks for including AMMO by Mig in your review. I much prefer them for airbrushing as at this point as AK is a non-starter and I'm still surprised so many people still recommend them.

I've seen Mr Super used over water based acrylics. You need to make sure the paints are properly cured; not just dry. Little correction too. It's Ammo by Mig not M I G. If you want to keep metallics shiny... don't matt varnish them. And matt on black turns it grayish due to the way a matt finish is rougher for a less reflective finish.

I've been using Vallejo Matt Varnish, the one in the white spray can. I've had no issues and I'm quite satisfied with it. I'm curious why you didn't mention it. You haven't tried it, there's something wrong with it or just nothing interesting to say about it?

Testors used to have a good matt varnish, also Krylon had a good matt varnish.

Munitorium isn't really matt though. It's satin or half matt. I love it for most 40k models or models in a lot of armour but it is just too shiny for models with a lot of skin or more organic materials found in the middle earth range. I use Vallejo matt varnish on can for those instead.

I'm a 50 yo miniatures painter (35 years of experience) and my sole advise is : Stay away from Army Painter products...They're cheaper than the other brands but their qualities are drastically far below as well. I used their paint, base coats, varnishes, etc... and i experienced everytime some various issues with their different stuffs. Indeed, Japanese brands are obviously the finest stuff and deserve their fame despite their (very) high prices. IMHO, spanish brands (GSW, AK, Vallejo, Ammo, etc...) are the best compromise (i was a long time a Citadel user before to swap to them...) . Good video as usual...👍.

My AP mat varnish has a horribly tendency towards glossiness. It's terrible.

This video needed more brands tested.

Not sure why you need to use varnish unless you are trying to change the finish look. I have models I painted 30 years ago and they still look good. No varnish applied. Who stores models in direct sun or outdoors.

Testors used to be the top G, surprised there was no verdict on this.

Genuine question. Why are you varnishing plastic miniatures especially if you are intending to photograph them. I’ve only ever varnished metal minis to avoid chipping.

GW varnish ruined my model i worked weeks at, wont EVER buy it again

It's MATTE. With an E.

This guy sounds like Rammstein’s Richard Kruspe.