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What do you use to varnish your models and why? I'm worried about matt varnish dulling the metallics on my miniatures and gloss varnish making the matt areas too shiny, so I was wondering what you guys do. I really don't want to drop the 15 for GW's Matt Varnish spray either, so any good off-brand suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

People are going to tell you to use Testors Dull Coat for matte. It is by far the most common response everytime this question is asked. Unfortunately, aerosols are subject to mail restrictions.

I wouldn't use GW brand anything, ever. This is especially true with modelling products. They are way overpriced.

If you want matte effects and shine effects too--mask your models prior to sealing them. Tamiya makes some good tape. Alternatively, you could hit a home centre and buy some low tack painters tape.

There are also products which finish to a satin sheen, Vallejo for example.

Lastly, there are brush on varnishes as well, but I have no experience using them.

Edit: random capitalization

I don't use varnish myself but I've heard the most common reason being that it helps protect the models paint job.

Also I think Testors has a matt varnish spray. Just looked it up and in google shopping results I was seeing spray cans for $5 of clear coat. Be sure to read the label because they sell 3 diffrent types a clear coat, semi gloss and a glossy clear coats.

I have a few different varnishes that I use. The nice thing about varnish is that if you put matt varnish on top of gloss you end up with a matt finish and vise-versa.

I have GW brush on gloss varnish (formerly ard coat)... I'm not saying its the best or the cheapest, it's just what I have and it seems to work okay. I usually put a layer of this on before I use any other varnish, as it doesn't seem to dull paint or transfer pigment about.

I also have some acrylic varnishes with various different finishes that I bought in my local Art supplies shop, those also claim to provide UV protection. Also clear nail varnish... Clear nail varnish seems to be by far the hardest and most glossy, unfortunately it is also quite gloopy and easy to leave brush strokes in. I quite like it for gem stones and for areas that get touched a lot.

I have noticed with Varnish that (unlike paint) you slop varnish on pretty damn thick and it still looks perfectly fine. I've even heard of people dipping miniatures into tins of Ronseal (though I didn't hear what the result was like).

This does lessen the need a little for spray varnish a little, especially when it can frost up etc... I don't use it, but if you have a lot of stuff to varnish it might be faster.

I use Krylon Acrylic Crystal Clear (Flat). By far the best spray sealant I've ever used. Even though its a flat varnish, it really brings out the color and gives them a polished look. Here's a few picks of the results on my Guardsmen:






Notice how they seem to catch the light better (especially off the armor plates)? Also, when you handle it, you can't even feel the paint; your model feels like it was a packaged action figure.

Best part is its only about $3 at you local Walmart.

There are some drawbacks, though. It makes your models smell like gas for a couple days after, and also, if you do not spray it evenly, "wrinkles" appear in the coating.

But, for $3, really can't beat it.

Don't like the sound of wrinkles, but the models do look great with that varnish.

Matte varnish on metall does indeed dull them. Another thing about varnishes is what you use them for. Either to alter the shine or for protection. A gloss varnish protects the best whereas matte is not so good for that. So ideal for protecting a model would be to start with a gloss varnish to seal it and then some matte varnish on top to make it dull again. The reason I've been told is that a gloss varnish creates a completely flat/solid surface but a dull coat is full of cracks which causes the light to reflect in different directions which makes it look dull and since it's full of cracks it will not protect that much.

AesSedai wrote:People are going to tell you to use Testors Dull Coat for matte. It is by far the most common response everytime this question is asked. Unfortunately, aerosols are subject to mail restrictions

A.) It's the most common response because it's arguably the best on the market for this purpose. Other brands I've tried have given very, very mixed results. Dullcote is consistently excellent.
B.) While the restrictions are true, he's in the US, so they won't apply from a US based retailer - only when shipping overseas is that a problem. For example, you can buy it right on Testor's site, or off Ebay, or, best of all, The Warstore. Alternately, you can buy it off the shelf at places that sell model kits, as well as chains like Michaels or Hobby Lobby. The latter option is best if available, since obviously no shipping wait or cost. I get mine at Michaels.
C.) They also do sell Dullcote in a liquid, paint-on formulation. Keep in mind that it's an enamel, so you will need turpentine or similar to clean your brushes after using.

Disclaimer: The ebay links are just informational. I am not the seller, I don't know the sellers, I don't vouch for the sellers.

I have heard nothing but positive reviews of Testor's Dull Coat.

I'm mainly interested in using it to seal the modelling snow on my winter themed guardsmen. I've recently found that I can create a pretty cool effect by putting the snow up the boots (not just the base) to make it look like they've been trudging through lots of snow. I also have put some all over my Leman Russ, and was wondering if some Matt Varnish would be good for sealing that and keeping it on.

What do you use to attach the snow in the first place?

Elmers glue.