Protective Coat Suggestions?

I've only ever used Testor's Matte Finish to protect my minis. Unfortunately, one of them took a fall and got chipped which made me wonder about the effectiveness of this one coat. I've heard of people using a gloss coat and then a matte coat since the gloss sprays theoretically dry harder, but I've always been afraid of screwing up the finished product. I really, really don't want shiny minis at the end of all this.

Has anyone tried the gloss/matte thing before? Do you have any other suggestions?

I have nothing to add except that I too am very curious about this. Anyone?

Gloss Finishing/Sealing Spray is a more duable finish. SO.. if the model is going to be subject to a LOT of handling, or you're cloddy like moi, a light gloss spray followed [after it dries ] by a matte coat would be a excellent idea. CAVEAT: too heavy a coating of gloss CAN leave the deeper undercuts shiny after the matte finish is applied.

An alternative is to use a Workable Fixative [Krylon makes a very good one]. This type of spray is used to fix intermediate work with mediums like pastels, pencil, charcoals, etc.; it works like a gloss finish, but provides a better surface texture for addition coats; ergo, the matte finish will adhere better.

DeafNala wrote:

Krylon makes a very good one

Is that the stuff you spray on pencil drawings so that they don't get "blurred" when you touch them? I had no idea you could use that on minis!

*hurries over to cupboard where spraycan is kept*

That's The Stuff! I sometime use watercolors as a mix with acrylics, AND the Workable Fixative is just the thing(y) to keep them from bleeding through.

I use mutiple coats of cheap gloss spray for protection followed by a coat of dullcoat. I just use the dollar a can cheap stuff from Wal-Mart. It is shiney and hard as a rock.

The trick is making sure you don't soak the miniatures with the spray. A light even coat does the job. Let it set and then hit it again. Most of my stuff has about three coats followed by the dullcoat flat layer on top. Might have to hit the mini twice with the dullcoat, but usually once does the trick.

I skip the gloss spray if I have dipped the mini in polyurethane (spelling?) and just go straight to the dullcoat.