Figure Acrylic Finishes?

[PathFinder]

Hey guys....
New to the boards here. I have quite a few custom figures that are on the workbench here and so far I use the Tamiya Acrylic paints to provide a solid basecoat. I have two questions that relate to the process that I currently use, because I am concerned about the quality of the finished product later on.

First, I airbrush the Tamiya basecoat (thinned with denatured alcohol) directly onto the figure. This provides a flat finish, but I have noticed a few of my older figures from years back taking on a glossy look to the paint. These were brushed on. I probably handled them a bit too much, and I think this was part of the contributor to the now glossy surface. The surface isn't really sticky or anything, just shiny/glossy. I really don't want a glossy finish to the figures I do. But so far, the airbrushed on basecoat is not taking on any shine, and my samples are from a few days.

Second, I'd like to add a durable "finish" coat to my figures after the painting is done, but once again, I don't want a shiny/glossy finish. I have used Testor's Dullcote with success... But even though it says "Matte" the finish when dry has a mild sheen or even a "semi-gloss" look to it. I would like to try the Krylon Acrylic Matte Spray that I see at art stores locally, but for around 8 dollars a can I'd like to know what finish I'll actually be getting. I tried another Krylon Matte finish that dried fully but was quite shiny.

I am tempted to leave the figures unfinished without clearcoat, just because it happens to look better to me. In contrast to that thought, the figures look great with it, because it simulates the production figure quality that we get right out of the package. So I am a bit torn with what looks best on these guys...

What do the rest of you guys do for the clearcoat or do you just leave it as is?

 

[Mandingo Rex]

I definitely clear-coat anything that I want to have a matte finish. I've found with some figures, I don't know if they get "polished" over time by handling them or what, but I do have to go back and add another coat from time to time.

Some colors take the clear-coat better than others. I use Testors Model Masters Clear Acryl for my clear coat, but like you, I use mostly Tamiya paints for the actual painting.

The MM Clear Acryl goes on smooth and dries fairly fast, so I can do a few coats after only a half hour or so, but don't do more than a few coats within a short period of time without giving it time to dry, or else it may mess up to the touch. I usually do my painting, wait overnight and then get back to the clear-coat the next day, then wait overnight, and then it should be cured well enough.

Others use Testors paints, but I like the consistency and coverage of Tamiya, although it doesn't hold up as well as the factory paint. It doesn't tend to rub off easily, but it will with scraping and scratching. Several clear-coats will usually help to protect the color paint job, but won't hold up to joint wear and paint-on-paint contact. (For example, painted webgear touching the painted figure, even with clearcoat, will sometimes adhere to each other and pull paint off one.)

http://www.testors.com/product/136694/4636/_/Flat_Clear_Acryl_Acryl_-_1oz._Bottle

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

i use Krylon UV Resistant clear matte for acrylics...so far its held up very well and hasnt had any return sheen...its a spray BTW

 

[Wild weasel]

I also do alot of airbrushing and from my experience I'd say stay away from the tamiya paints and use the vallejo air paints. The tamiyas airbrush great but the leave a texture. I'd have to assume that over time as the joints are moved it kind of polishes it leaving the gloss finish. Also, the tamiya paints aren't as durable. As for a clear coat don't use a spray. Most tend to be glossy even when they are said to be matte or flat. The krylon matte isn't bad though. I'd still use the flat model master acryl clear(airbrushed) instead. You can also add either some flat base(from tamiya) or flat(or maybe its matte) medium(from vallejo). Also, make sure when airbrushing vallejo paints that you use the air colors,not the gaming paints or the model paints. The model paints chip easily and both the gaming and model paints leave a bad texture when airbrushed. Vallejo also recomends that they don't be airbrushed.