Need thick, gloss, finish

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**Grundz**

I need a thick, glossy finish (spray or brush) to make my bugs look slimey and to protect the paint (if it was hard too that would be perfect)

ideas...?

**Darth Bob**

Games Workshop makes a gloss varnish called 'Ardcoat that does exactly that.

**rokitchikin**

Darth Bob wrote:Games Workshop makes a gloss varnish called 'Ardcoat that does exactly that.

What he said.^ I have it and use it just for that.

**Grundz**

Word was on the street that ardcoat was crap, but i'll give it a shot I guess

**Grundz**

Word was on the street that ardcoat was crap, but i'll give it a shot I guess

**bubber**

No - it's good.
Gloss varnish is easier than matt to do some GW can manage it.
Try several thin coats than one thick one though.

**elaverick**

I have heard of people using the Citadel Water Effects for a really shiny varnish, but I can't verify how well it works.
'Ardcoat does a reasonable job on my Necron Flayed Ones tho.

**rokitchikin**

With the water effects you would have to use really thin coats as it likes to move like water so will drip and run if you use to much.

**Captain Jack**

If you're out for ultimate protection, I have a suggestion for you. I use ronseal clear matt wood floor varnish, brush on. Works a treat on blood bowl minis, and I've put it on my other collections as well.

If you're not too bothered about shiny then the GW 'ard coat is also just the job

**mstersmith**

Army painter has shades for quik dipping. It is basicly wood varnish with a pit of stain in it. Works great, I use it on my orks and hit it with testers matt. Saves time on shading and will work great for your purposes. Also Army painter takes the guess work out of how it will look. Check it out.

**extrenm(54)**

If you want a good varnish and a mega-protective coat, then you need to use MINWAX. Its a wood varnish that comes in all different sorts of colors. It works really well and I have used it on almost all of my Khorne stuff.

You can either brush the stuff on, or bit your models in the can. If you dip them, make sure to shake them off really well.

**KingCracker**

You can buy minwax floor wax in a clear finish. (or many shades if you like) And it dries rock hard and is REALLY shiny. All you have to do is dip your minis (or brush on with the larger ones) and your set. Wait a few days for them to dry and everything is golden.

**Majesticgoat**

Would you folks mind showing some photos of the results using Minwax and that Ronseal Matte varnish?

**malfred**

Now it's my time to shine!

All my minis get two coats of a satin sealer.

I haven't tried their gloss yet.

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**Majesticgoat**

I like the finish on those. It looks good. I am not into ultra glossy anyways. Thanks for the pic.

**Captain Jack**

Have a look at the Exorcists in my gallery. It also blends the highlights quite a bit, so some experimenting is required so they don't 'wash out' like mine.

**FoxPhoenix135**

I use GW's 'ardcoat on my hormagaunts, and they came out great! Real macabre looking, they are. The GW stuff is my recommendation.

**Ouze**

Here's a necron i finished with floor polish (minwax polyshades) and after it was completely dry, I hit it will dullcote. You'd want to avoid that last step.

Note also the dark color when it's freshly dipped subsides quite a bit when it dries.

**Kalamadea**

clear nail polish. You can get a cheap bottle for a few dollars and it's really htick and really glossy, I use it on all my painted glass canopies and larger lenses. Future Floor Finish is the opposite, but also works great as a glosscoat, it's almost as thin as water. Makes a great base for decals and for smaller lenses/gems

**GoFenris**

At any craft store. The price is great, you get a bunch and all you do is use dilute it with 70/30 water, mix well and dip your model (or brush on a couple of layers). Thick and tough.

Mod Podge is essentially thin PVA glue.

**Howard A Treesong**

I rarely gloss varnish figures but if you want a thick gloss finish I've found Humbol Gloss enamel pretty good. It can discolour with age though so isn't very good on white surfaces.