What should I do now?

[tennyson]

Hi Everyone,

I just got done painting my first miniature, and it actually turned out half-way decent! Anyway, I painted it in acrylics, and I was wondering if I should put some type of protectant on it now. For those of you that paint your minis, do you put a final layer of coating on it, or do you just leave it the way it is? Thanks in advance!

 

[Chauzu]

This should probably be in the art forum.

 

[rounser]

Handling will rub the paint off if you don't protect it. A thin layer of gloss followed by a thin layer of matt (after the gloss has dried) gives good results...just make sure the coats are thin or you'll obscure detail.

 

[tennyson]

Thanks for the info. I used a spray primer before I painted the mini. When you suggested that I put a layer of gloss and then matt on the mini, could I use another layer of primer as the gloss layer?

 

[pogre]

Thanks for the info. I used a spray primer before I painted the mini. When you suggested that I put a layer of gloss and then matt on the mini, could I use another layer of primer as the gloss layer?

No, the gloss should be clear - use testor masterclass or some other clear gloss. Let this dry hard and then follow it up with a clear Matte coat. The reason you want the gloss coat is for a harder finish. The reason for the Matte coat is to take the shine off the finish and add a little more protection.

Some painters like to go back over certain areas with clear gloss brushed on to make them more shiny after the matte coat. I've used that method with some success on demon's hooves or magic swords, but I do not like the look as a general rule.

 

[tennyson]

No, the gloss should be clear - use testor masterclass or some other clear gloss. Let this dry hard and then follow it up with a clear Matte coat. The reason you want the gloss coat is for a harder finish. The reason for the Matte coat is to take the shine off the finish and add a little more protection.

Some painters like to go back over certain areas with clear gloss brushed on to make them more shiny after the matte coat. I've used that method with some success on demon's hooves or magic swords, but I do not like the look as a general rule.

That answered my question exactly, and now for one final one: are the gloss and matte coats a spray, or are they generally painted on?

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

Usually a spray can, although I have seen both primer and clearcoat in paint-on varieties.

 

[Darius101]

I use Spray mopre ofton and then use the painted sealer or areas that will be handled more ofton like the head and swords.
You can also use the painted on for things like teeth to make them shiney and weaponds to keep the metal paints shiney.

Darius

 

[Stone Angel]

Definitely go with the spray finish, someone told me once that you can use an aerosol hairspray to seal them up to, but I never tried it.