A couple of Varnishing questions

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**Thamor**

I'm looking to add shoulder pad symbols to my Blood angels, So to get them to look like they are painted on i'll Gloss them then Matt them. I'll also need the gloss because i'll be using micro sol which causes paint to run.

First question is, What is best a spray on Gloss or one in a pot? And a Spray on Matt or one in a pot?

What are the best varnishes I can get?

Cheers

**Catyrpelius**

I've never had Microsol or Microset cause paint to run...

**oadie**

Brush-on vs. spray is a matter of personal preference and specific task. I'd suggest getting a can of spray for both gloss and matte, as well as a bit of brush-on gloss (it's far more common to want to pick out a few glossy details on a matte figure than the reverse).

Personally, I brush thinned gloss onto the area(s), apply the decal(s), then give the whole figure a gloss spray. After applying any final weathering, the whole thing gets a spray of matte varnish. Finally, any shiny details (lenses, gems, slimy bits) get a topcoat of gloss.

There are a ton of lines of varnish out there from any number of brands. Everyone has their favorite, but I swear by Testors Dullcote, when it comes to matte sprays. I haven't tried everything out there, but I kind of stopped looking, once I tried this stuff. Gloss seems less finicky than matte, but I use Testors spray for that, too, since it's easy to just grab the pair. My brush-on gloss is Vallejo, which I nabbed when ordering a batch of paints. Pretty much any old brand should do the trick, though.

**IK-Painter**

I recently bought the new Vallejo polyurethane acrylic varnishes in gloss and matte. You can either airbrush or apply them with a brush. It's a really great product and I've been using them on a lot of minis. Works like a charm every time.

**Thamor**

Would you reconmend thinning varnish that you paint on?

**Squigsquasher**

I use GW 'ardcoat for my Tyranids, partly to protect them, and partly because I love the slimy effect it gives. I also coat the squishy bits (eyes, weapon pipes, etc) with Water Effects before I gloss them.

Haven't used any other types of varnishes.

**Thamor**

Would applying a matt varnish with a spray can to a model that is not glossed cause any problems?

**Maxim C. Gatling**

No. It's recommended, actually.

If it's glossed (i.e. varnished already) it may dull the gloss. Change that to probably or most certainly. If it's not glossed, matte spray varnish should be darn near invisible unless you over-apply it.

You basically have three choices: Gloss, Semi-Gloss and Matte. If you want it shiny, use Gloss. If you want it to look like it is (just painted) use Matte. Most people gave up on Semi-Gloss early in the 90's.

You can get interesting effects painting (not spraying...) Gloss over Matte on selected areas. Example: IG armor could be shiny whereas their uniform, face and hands could remain "dull".

**Thamor**

It was just that I was applying decals on both shoulder pads on my Blood Angel, To get the painted on effect I'd have to gloss each shoulder pad put the decal on and use micro sol to help it sit properly, then add another layer of gloss to seal it. So both the shoulder pads are glossed and I didn't want to gloss the whole model.

So If I applied Matt to the whole of the model it should tie it all together?

Cheers.