As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Matte varnish is not one universal product: water-based acrylic, aerosol lacquer and spray topcoats can react differently over acrylic, enamel, lacquer, oil washes, decals and metallic paint. The comparison below separates chemistry, finish and application method. Let every lower layer cure, apply a test to a spoon or scrap painted with the same stack, and build light coats; a label—s —matte— or —flat— does not guarantee the same sheen on every surface.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AK Interactive Ultra Matte Varnish AK183 | $5–$9 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | AK Interactive Matte Varnish AK190 | $5–$9 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Vallejo Model Color Matt Varnish 70.520 | $3–$6 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Vallejo Acrylic Matt Spray Varnish 28.531 | $12–$20 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Tamiya Matte Varnish 76617 | $4–$8 | Amazon |
| 6 | Tamiya TS-80 Flat Clear | $8–$14 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Mr. Super Clear Flat B514 | $10–$16 | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | Mr. Hobby Premium Topcoat Flat B603 | $10–$16 | Amazon |
| 9 | Testors Dullcote 1260 | $8–$14 | Amazon · eBay |
| 10 | AMMO by Mig Jimenez Ultra-Matt Lucky Varnish A.MIG-2052 | $6–$10 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
AK Interactive Ultra Matte Varnish AK183
Acrylic water-based model varnish with a ultra-matte finish for airbrush application. Apply in light airbrush coats; test over the paint system.
- Acrylic water-based
- Airbrush
- Ultra-matte
- Model-finishing product
- Finish type stated
- No universal paint/decal compatibility
- Final sheen changes with coat thickness and surface
AK Interactive Matte Varnish AK190
Acrylic water-based model varnish with a matte finish for airbrush application. Thin and apply as the label directs; test over decals and washes.
- Acrylic water-based
- Airbrush
- Matte
- Model-finishing product
- Finish type stated
- No universal paint/decal compatibility
- Final sheen changes with coat thickness and surface
Vallejo Model Color Matt Varnish 70.520
Water-based acrylic model varnish with a matte finish for brush or airbrush application. A small-bottle varnish for controlled coats; allow the underlying paint to cure.
- Water-based acrylic
- Brush or airbrush
- Matte
- Model-finishing product
- Finish type stated
- No universal paint/decal compatibility
- Final sheen changes with coat thickness and surface
Vallejo Acrylic Matt Spray Varnish 28.531
Acrylic spray model varnish with a matte finish for aerosol application. Spray outdoors or with suitable ventilation; test mist coats on a spare part.
- Acrylic spray
- Aerosol
- Matte
- Model-finishing product
- Finish type stated
- No universal paint/decal compatibility
- Final sheen changes with coat thickness and surface
Tamiya Matte Varnish 76617
Water-based brush varnish model varnish with a matte finish for brush application. Bottle-cap brush supports small touch-ups; test over the chosen paint.
- Water-based brush varnish
- Brush
- Matte
- Model-finishing product
- Finish type stated
- No universal paint/decal compatibility
- Final sheen changes with coat thickness and surface
Tamiya TS-80 Flat Clear
Synthetic lacquer aerosol model varnish with a flat finish for aerosol application. Use very light test coats because lacquer compatibility depends on the cured base paint.
- Synthetic lacquer aerosol
- Aerosol
- Flat
- Model-finishing product
- Finish type stated
- No universal paint/decal compatibility
- Final sheen changes with coat thickness and surface
Mr. Super Clear Flat B514
Lacquer aerosol model varnish with a flat finish for aerosol application. Spray only after the underlying finish has cured and test first.
- Lacquer aerosol
- Aerosol
- Flat
- Model-finishing product
- Finish type stated
- No universal paint/decal compatibility
- Final sheen changes with coat thickness and surface
Mr. Hobby Premium Topcoat Flat B603
Water-based aerosol model varnish with a flat finish for aerosol application. A water-based topcoat route; keep coats light around delicate decals.
- Water-based aerosol
- Aerosol
- Flat
- Model-finishing product
- Finish type stated
- No universal paint/decal compatibility
- Final sheen changes with coat thickness and surface
Testors Dullcote 1260
Lacquer aerosol model varnish with a dull matte finish for aerosol application. A long-established flat clear; use ventilation and a compatibility test.
- Lacquer aerosol
- Aerosol
- Dull matte
- Model-finishing product
- Finish type stated
- No universal paint/decal compatibility
- Final sheen changes with coat thickness and surface
AMMO by Mig Jimenez Ultra-Matt Lucky Varnish A.MIG-2052
Acrylic water-based model varnish with a ultra-matte finish for airbrush application. Apply in thin coats and test against the project—s paint, wash and decal stack.
- Acrylic water-based
- Airbrush
- Ultra-matte
- Model-finishing product
- Finish type stated
- No universal paint/decal compatibility
- Final sheen changes with coat thickness and surface
Buying tips
- Test the complete paint, decal and weathering stack before coating the model.
- Use appropriate ventilation and protective practices for aerosols and lacquer products.
- Let the base paint cure; a dry surface is not always fully cured.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.