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I've never really heard anything about this - but what do you use to finish models (if you even finish them)?

I picked up some Polyurethane spray finish from Home Depot a while ago, but I have no idea whether or not it's a good idea to use it. There doesn't seem to be anything (that I can find) in the tutorial section on what to do.

more of an old european thing more commonly done in the old UK on historical minis... was something tohave a high gloss no idea why.

Empchild wrote:more of an old european thing more commonly done in the old UK on historical minis... was something tohave a high gloss no idea why.

I would imagine the distance viewed for historic minis are further than table top gaming.
the gloss would reflect the display lamps for proper shading .

( see the Brood Lord in the space hulk paint thread for the glossed parts + reflected light )

So, I shouldn't apply any sort of finish then?

If you have your own painted high lights , its best to use Matt Varnish where it doesnt conflict with the actual light.

I like the shiny.

Are these game pieces or display pieces?

Display pieces, especially for competition = no varnish and as little handling as you can
manage. You never how a varnish, even a matte one, can affect the model.

Game pieces: Depends as well. I use a water based Satin spray from the Home Depot. People
constantly tell me to get on board with the matte stuff, but I'm perfectly happy with how
my models turn out.

Or do both , heavy coat of satin varnish for protection ,
another coat of matt varnish for a perfect matt finish.

I like the GW 'hardcoat on my marine's armor.. I imagine before every battle they would polish their armor to a mirror shine, and the 'ardcoat lets me show that. Its brush on, so I can avoid painting the faces / black parts between plates.

gives a good shiney finish I like.

honestly in the end it's up to you truely. Personally I have always used a matt coat as I prefer the down to earth style of it and it allows for my painting to show more through then the varnish would. I am by no means knocking on those who do use it more that I personally do not.

Okay, cool.

Does anyone have any experience with Polyurethane? I hear it yellows furniture but I'm not sure about minis.

Anything that yellows furniture will likely yellow anything it's on over time. It's a reaction of the material used in the product to light.

I personally use Testors Dullcote. It's flat and protects well. If I was terribly worried about dings and chipped paint, I'd coat with a model quality gloss finish, then spray Dullcote over that to take the shine off.

I use a spray matte quite a bit - minis that get handled tend to show wear far, far to quickly not to protect them I think.

I used to use a high-gloss paint on but I found it had a bad habit of smearing details.