What kind of sealer do you use?

obiwanjacoby · Rookie Joined: Dec 31, 1969 Posts: 37

The Armory stuff is driving me nuts. Looking for other alternatives. Thanks.

-PJ

fe2mike · Bouncer Joined: Dec 31, 1969 Posts: 397 Location: Merlyns

here are some alternatives

GW makes a bruss on gloss sealer called 'ardcoat and a spry matt finish (we have both here at the store)

I also heard of people using PVA Glue / Elmers (cause it dries clear)
and floor varnish.

have not tried the last 2 but the Armory stuff seems to work OK for me, other than the lack of armory black primer at distributors.

obiwanjacoby · Rookie Joined: Dec 31, 1969 Posts: 37

fe2mike wrote:

GW makes a bruss on gloss sealer called 'ardcoat and a spry matt finish (we have both here at the store)

That would be great for touchups.

Quote::

have not tried the last 2 but the Armory stuff seems to work OK for me, other than the lack of armory black primer at distributors.

It turns out the truth is I'm being impatient. I set a timer for a full minute before shaking according to the directions, and it turns out I was trying to apply way too early.

You just can't time this stuff in your head. When they say "one minute" it's not a guideline. It's a set-in-stone fact.

Thanks for the help Mike, I'm getting better results already.

-PJ

Spector

I have used the hobby stuff from Michaels with no problems at all.

sanctuary13 · Rookie Joined: Dec 31, 1969 Posts: 15

It really depends on what kind of finish you are after.

I prefer a flat, dull, or matte finish. I feel this lends a bit of realism to the miniature/model, like the hyper realistic military models people paint. For that effect, I've used Krylon Crystal Clear Matte, Krylon Workable Fixatif, and a few others, but the BEST by far is Testors All Purpose Dullcoat.

GW/Armory make 'Ardcoat as well as Purity Seal, but the problem with using their sprays is that they are not formula controlled like GW paints. This means that every spray bottle varies in its gloss, its spray, everything. I'd avoid the GW sprays like the plague, although I like their colors well enough.

For a gloss finish use Krylon Crystal Clear Gloss, or anything really. For a brush on gloss, try using Future floor polish, since its an acrylic gloss varnish. it's about the shiniest stuff out there, and can easily be brushed onto dullcoat to bring out shiny bits (wet spots, eyes, etc). I've also used Liquitex gloss medium, but it's finish tends to be kinda lumpy no matter how much you smooth it, since its intended to be mixed with the paints during application.

I'm also particular about my primers, but thats a different topic.