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Supplies Airbrush Vallejo Varnish as sealant inquiry

Nov 8, 2025

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    1. Hey everyone! So I am currently building on my materials for my first bjd and his faceup. I’ll be getting an airbrush soon. I’m trying to go a “non toxic” route with sealant and read that Vallejo matte varnish is a good way to go however, I am curious about something. Has anyone successfully used just the Vallejo matte varnish via airbrush between each layer of the faceup “ie pastel layer then seal, liner layer then seal? I don’t want to use the Liquitex medium in between but I’m not sure if just using the Vallejo varnish for base, in between and as a final layer is a thing?

      If it isn’t I’ll go the MSC route and find a way to maneuver quick enough in my building. There’s a back door so I figured I’d spray quick and rush inside to where it’s “nicer” so as to avoid the cloudiness that may result from the weather temperature. It’s been decent and not cold out lately so I feel it can work. But I’d love if the varnish option between layers is actually a thing more.
       
      #1 Bluechelle, Nov 8, 2025
      Last edited: Nov 8, 2025
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    2. I will always recommend Vallejo because it is SO much better for me. Specifically the 62.062 Premium Matt Varnish, I have tried the non-premium and Mecha versions as well, and they both performed better than any Liquitex product in the airbrush, but did not have as good a texture/matte finish as the Premium. That stuff is as close to foolproof as I've experienced, I usually spray it in my garage at night all times of year in the rainy PNW, and you can spray it thick or thin and it always tries down matte and clear.

      I don't think there's any reason that you would need to use different sealants/fixatives for your middle layers than your final ones, besides that the working texture of the one you wanted to use as a final layer wasn't as good. The Vallejo has a perfectly good working texture so there's no need for other sealants.
       
      #2 Glace Leau, Nov 8, 2025
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    3. Thank you so much! I’m glad to know that it will work! I will see what happens. I can’t wait to try out my first faceup once I complete my supplies list :dance
       
      #3 Bluechelle, Nov 9, 2025
      Last edited: Nov 9, 2025
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    4. How does it work with the airbrush? I’m trying to find alternatives to MSC because I can’t find it easy where I am, and it’s pretty expensive for so little here in Canada haha. Do you add the Vallejo with water into the airbrush? Of is it mixed with some else, or is it mixed with nothing? Does the type of airbrush matter?
       
      #4 volatilesoul, Jan 30, 2026
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    5. Oh I use it straight out of the bottle, no mixing needed. The small bottle lasts longer than the equivalent in a spray can in my experience. For sealant the type of airbrush isn't important at all since you just want a broad spray. Mine is an old Badger.
       
      #5 Glace Leau, Jan 30, 2026
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    6. Awesome! Thanks! Once I get my new doll I will give that a try! I think my biggest hindrance has been my sealants on me doing faceups, so this helps!
       
      #6 volatilesoul, Jan 30, 2026
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