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I'm sure this has been posted before but my searches have been unproductive.

I'm looking for effective means of protecting the paint on models, especially metal ones from chipping and scratches. I don't have so much of a problem with plastics but I'm almost hesitant to play with my metal figures at times.

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks in advance

Are you worried about knocking them over while playing or storing them/transporting them safely?

If its the 1st issue I can't really help there other than to say be careful.

If its the 2nd issue then some sort of foam case would work. Battlefoam or GW's cases aren't bad options. If your looking for a method on the cheap side a small box with foam pellets works.

Matte or gloss varnish

I'd recommend a brush on varnish...Either brush on or spray on. For spray on I recommend either Armory brand or Army Painter, although i have had some luck with Krylon Crystal Clear matt although its hard to find by me. For a brush on, I'd recommend going to a craft or paint store and picking up a container of any good brand Matt varnish, I use Liquetex myself.

How do the varnishes affect the paint job in terms of darkening/lightening obscuring details etc?

A matte varnish will make your take the shine off your model, its the look most people are after these days. Other then that when its applied correctly it clear.

I've heard several times that a few coats of gloss to protect, and then a coat of matt to dull them down is pretty decent protection.

RayvenQ wrote:I've heard several times that a few coats of gloss to protect, and then a coat of matt to dull them down is pretty decent protection.

Depends on what you are doing with them. If you are throwing them at the wall then yes, three coats is probably needed.

I have never needed to use more than a single spray of Army Coat Matte Varnish before but then again I handle my minis without too much dropping or abuse and I transport them safely when needed.

i use a lot of "natural" products, such as sand and ash (makes brillent detailing) how would i go around protecting the detail this gives me? sand isnt much problem because i use glue, dip it with sand, cover it in airfix enamel m14 then i dip it in the sand again, wait 30 minutes until its dry rnough to attach the model, sets almost like stone, but what about the ash? any advice? (would hairspray work like chalk?)

I use Testors Laquor Matte finish, instead of Purity Seal or acrylic matte coatings. It's tougher than acrylic. Someone suggested it might not stick to the acrylic paint, but I haven't had any issues with minis that are years old painted. They are still matte flat, no sheen, and chip free.

For metal, I prime, and double basecoat. Also use the Testors. However, that will make metal chip LESS, not chip NEVER.

Clumpski wrote:i use a lot of "natural" products, such as sand and ash (makes brillent detailing) how would i go around protecting the detail this gives me? sand isnt much problem because i use glue, dip it with sand, cover it in airfix enamel m14 then i dip it in the sand again, wait 30 minutes until its dry rnough to attach the model, sets almost like stone, but what about the ash? any advice? (would hairspray work like chalk?)

I haven't done it myself (always found PVA + Varnish coat enough to protect flock and sanding) but common advice is after glueing the sand to paint over the base with a watered down mix of PVA which dries clear and helps lock the sand in.

I hit my pewter stuff with a couple layers of the Krylon clear matte spray Catyrpelius mentioned. It leaves it a bit shiny, but nothing's better for hard drops against the ground, and I paint my guys like they've been wading through sludge anyway so the wet look is kind of fitting. You can be more sparing with the spray to decrease the level of shiny.

thank you filbert ill try that later ^^

I use a layer of spray gloss varnish for durability, then a followup of Testor's Dullcote (best matte finish of the brands I've tried). It looks good, and it's more than enough to stop scratches from all but the most heinous abuse.

Avoiding chipping is simply a matter of protecting your models. If the underlying plastic or metal gets bent and smushed around, no primer or varnish will be enough to keep the paint from cracking and chipping. Both, however, do wonders for keeping your babies pristine under normal conditions. Just don't go around dropping metal models on their outstretched sword tips or smashing your plastic grunts together.

A layer of gloss varnish for strength, then a layer of matt varnish for the look.

Also use careful handling as a way of preventing bashes.