Sealing a Painted Plastic Mini


Miniatures

Liberty's Edge

Once I've painted a plastic mini (either one of my new Bones once they arrive :) or a DDM or Pathfinder Battles plastic mini) what is the best, easiest way to seal it?

I will be using all Reaper paints (MSP Core colors). I see that Reaper offers a brush on sealer - 09107: Brush-on Sealer. Is this a good choice?

Thanks!

Sczarni

A lot of it depends on your preferences.... I'm not sure about the reaper brush on, but many of the spray ons come in glossy, semi glossy, or matte... most of the time I've used Testors matte spray on finish, and a glossy brush on for the eyes or liquid effects.


I would be careful about using brush-on sealers. They can sometimes go on a bit thick and leave an opaque, "globby" look when dry.... and Gawd help you if there are any wet spots of paint or wash left on the figure as the sealer will pick those up and smear them all over.

Most folks use a spray sealer just to avoid potential problems like this. Many people like Testor's Dullcote, which works well but is kinda spendy. I personally use Grumbacher's Matte Varnish for Acrylics, which can be found in a big spray can at Micheal's or other artist/craft supply stores. I find it goes on well, provides a tough,6c dead flat finish, and is relatively inexpensive considering how long the big can lasts.

Using a Gloss sealer (or clear gloss paint) for eyes or water effects is a great idea. I use Poly-S clear gloss to for that and to overpaint 1/300th aircraft canopies after the matte varnish has dried, and it's surprising how effectively the wet/shiny spots stand out.

If you use decals at all on your minis (shield designs, tattoos, etc.), a layer of clear gloss painted where the decal is to be applied helps the decal adhere to the model and prevents "silvering" of the clear decal film. Once you spray on your matte finish the decal looks like it's always been there.


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Also, the best way to protect your painted minis, if you think they'll get some rough treatment once in a while, is to protect them with a gloss varnish first, then apply a matte varnish. The gloss varnishes are usually more durable than the mattes, so just a matte varnish won't protect them as good as a one-two punch of gloss-matte.

Liberty's Edge

Resurecting this thread! :)

I’m going to be jumping back into painting Reaper Bones and I think I want to use the Reaper brush on sealer (I have all Reaper paints, primer etc, so might as well stick with Reaper here too)

How many peope have used The Reaper brush sealer to seal their painted Bones? Bow did it go?

Thanks!!

RPG Superstar 2015 Top 8

I haven't, although I like Reaper's products a great deal (I use Testor's Dullcote for sealer these days). Generally with any brushon sealer, I recommend using a brush with white or pale hairs, dedicated to only painting sealer, to ensure it isn't getting contaminated with paint. Paint in very light layers so it does not get gobby.

Here is a discussion of it at Reaper's forums which in general also might be a useful source of information for you.

Shadow Lodge

I have painted a LOT of Bones over the past few years. Unless you have tested it, I would not recommend using a any brand of spray on sealer. Many aerosols react a bit oddly with plastic and can soften the paint and mini, leaving it permanently sticky.

I would recommend the brush on sealer. Two coats. Let the mini dry/cure 24 hours before you brush it on. Use thin, slightly diluted coats. I have never had paint rub off my bones. Some of my minis (generic NPCs) travel with me to game day every other week for the past 3 years. No visible wear at all.

I also recommend the Reaper forums, if you plan to take up painting as a hobby. Everyone is friendly and willing to share their experience.

PS: This also applies to primers. Do NOT spray prime your Bones unless you do a test piece. The aerosol softening effect may not be apparent right away, either.

Liberty's Edge

Hey thanks everyone - good advice!

Nope, I know not to use spray primers or spray sealers on my Bones, no worries.

That's why I was specifically asking about the Reaper Brush on Sealer :)

Scarab Sages

I've used Games Workshop spray on varnish (matte), and it has so far worked pretty well.
I only apply the thinnest of coats (a puf on all sides). Reaper minis hold paint very well, but some of my minis get used in kids games, so they can use a bit of extra protection.

RPG Superstar 2015 Top 8

Cirithiel wrote:

I have painted a LOT of Bones over the past few years. Unless you have tested it, I would not recommend using a any brand of spray on sealer. Many aerosols react a bit oddly with plastic and can soften the paint and mini, leaving it permanently sticky.

I would recommend the brush on sealer. Two coats. Let the mini dry/cure 24 hours before you brush it on. Use thin, slightly diluted coats. I have never had paint rub off my bones. Some of my minis (generic NPCs) travel with me to game day every other week for the past 3 years. No visible wear at all.

I also recommend the Reaper forums, if you plan to take up painting as a hobby. Everyone is friendly and willing to share their experience.

PS: This also applies to primers. Do NOT spray prime your Bones unless you do a test piece. The aerosol softening effect may not be apparent right away, either.

FWIW (for anyone reading, I know Marc wants brushon stuff), I have had no problem using Testor's Dullcote on fully painted Bones (including on a large Bones dragon model that I painted years ago and is still in great shape). (And I live in a very humid area where, if terrible things are going to happen with sprays, they will.) I don't spray-prime them, however (I use acrylic gesso). I think if they're well covered in paint they should be ok, and/or perhaps the gesso also adds a bit of protection.

Talking of consulting with Reaper, you can also try emailing Anne Foerster, their head of all things painty (I'm sure that's a close approximation of her job title)--I've emailed them a question about their paints in the past and she responded quickly with very useful information.

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