Varnish (or not to)

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[Ssendam]

Hi All,

New to the board ... be gentle.

I don't normally varnish my mini's as they don't get heavy use but I am thinking of doing so for some 6mm ACW stands I am painting. I have read somewhere that you should varnish gloss and then put a matt varnish on afterwards.

It that the "best practice" way of getting a matt effect?

Is varnishing worth the effort?

How good are matt varnishes in there "mattyness"?

Stay frosty

Ssendam

[Orctrader]

My own opinion is...LINK

And welcome to this very gentle place.   

[dodge]

Agree with Orctrader,

always varnish

there is nothing more depressing than repainting chipped miniatures

dodge

[Ruarigh]

I always varnish all of my figures. Gloss varnish is meant to be harder-wearing than matt varnish so some people spray gloss first and then use matt varnish to kill the shine. You can get the same effect by using magic wash/dip. I generally only use matt varnish on 6mm figures, because I handle them by the bases rather than by the figures. I have been known to use gloss then matt on larger figures though. Of course, if you like shiny toy soldiers then you could always just use gloss varnish. Back in the early 80s when I first started painting figures, shiny figures were the accepted norm, but fashions change.

I use and really like the Coat d'Arms matt varnish. I gave up on Humbrol matt varnish a while back because they appear to have changed the formula at some point and it messed up all the figures I used it on. I cannot comment on any other matt varnishes because I do not use them.

When applying matt varnish onto a figure be careful how much you put on or you will get a milky white finish that ruins the figure. I think this is the effect of too much titanium oxide(?) which is the agent that provides the matt finish.

Hope this helps,
Ruarigh

[Luthaaren Von Tegale]

I don't usually varnish my figures, but then again I game at home 90% of the time so the figures are not transported anywhere which I think is where most of the damage occurs.

If you are playing in a club most of the time then I'd recomend a varnish for the added protection.

Not sure that helps at all, but just my view.

                  vT

[revford]

I've always been a bit daft about varnishing, I know I should, but I don't and end up retouching chipped models all the time.

It doesn't help that I always end up playing rules that involve laying models down and play on a sand textured surface.

So I'd say, Yes, do varnish, don't be like me. 

[Malamute]

I always varnish with two coats. I have recently started using Windsor and Newton Galleria Matt Varnish. Its a nice true matt finish. I previously used Humbrol matt acrylic, buit the last bottles i used had a semi matt finish which I didn't like.

I remember the days of gloss varnishing everything and I think its all a matter of personal taste. I actually like gloss finish on colourful uniforms like Napoleonics, It does bring out the colours more.

I find that a coat of varnish does finish off the figure. Once the painting has finished you get varying degrees of look from the different paints and inks used, ranging from translucent, to semi gloss etc. Varnish seems to bring the whole thing together. Its hard to explain what I mean, hopefully you will understand or someone will get my gist and explain it in a simpler easier way

[The_Wisecrack]

http://www.humbrol.com/paints/modellers-spray-paint/ad6049-49-acrylic-matt-varnish-150ml-matt-modellers-spray/

i have never gone rong with this here. its pricey. but it gives the best result i find.
one problem is, if your ond't clear the nozel out properly after EVERY use. it blocks up. otherwise it provides a brilliant matt finish. (you wouldnt  know you had put it on)

[Remington]

I found the link by orctrader very helpful. The Daler Rowney Matt Varnish is really good, although Galeria is also quite recommendable.

[dodge]

I always varnish with two coats. I have recently started using Windsor and Newton Galleria Matt Varnish. Its a nice true matt finish. I previously used Humbrol matt acrylic, buit the last bottles i used had a semi matt finish which I didn't like.

I remember the days of gloss varnishing everything and I think its all a matter of personal taste. I actually like gloss finish on colourful uniforms like Napoleonics, It does bring out the colours more.

I find that a coat of varnish does finish off the figure. Once the painting has finished you get varying degrees of look from the different paints and inks used, ranging from translucent, to semi gloss etc. Varnish seems to bring the whole thing together. Its hard to explain what I mean, hopefully you will understand or someone will get my gist and explain it in a simpler easier way

I think he means it enrichens the colour 

dodge

[Ssendam]

Thanks for the response everyone ...

I was thinking of the Vallejo Matt Varnish as I am using Vallejo paints. Would anyone recommend it?

And the consensus is Use varnish, but only 1 coat of Matt for 6mm figures?

Stay Frosty

[Froggy the Great]

You specifically want to spray in low humidity, so that your models stay not frosty.  Seriously.

[Aaron]

For 6mm I would only bother with one or two coats of matt varnish. You should really be handling them by the bases at that scale, so the wear from frequent handling shouldn't be as much of a problem.

[Malamute]

You specifically want to spray in low humidity, so that your models stay not frosty.  Seriously.

I am more inclined to brush my varnish on. I keep hearing horror stories of failed attempts when spraying. Brush on seems safer.

[Mindenbrush]

As Orctrader says - always varnish!