Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So, i feel slightly ashamed to admit that in my now Nine years of the hobby, i have never once sealed even a single miniature, anywhere from a gaunt, to a Stompa once i've finished working on it.. And now, looking back i think that might need to be fixed and corrected going forwards from this point. But, with so many different kinds of vanarnish avalable, (and yes i am planning on the gloss/matt combo for extra protection) im not sure what to invest in. The easy and simple way would seem to me, buy the Krylon rattle cans, but im not sure how that would compair to picking up bottles from a company like Vallejo that i could use thru my airbrush.. once i finally get a compressor to get it up and running.. And thoughts out there dakka?

WHAT!?!?!



Spraycan varnish is fine as long as you follow the instructions.

I usually either spray or dip in gloss, then spray matt when it is dry.

Paint on varnish is also fine but tedious if you are doing a large number of figures

Spraying is always better for vehicles, of course.

Keep in mind that varnishes change the colours (making them darker) and colour differences (decreasing differences) of your minis.
That's why I don't use varnish.

Dull coat spray will also diminish any subtle highlighting you may have on your models as well. I like to brush on some ard coat and let dry before I hit it with dull coat.

If you think you'll have your airbrush up and running soon, buy it by the bottle. It's cheaper and it seems that varnish can be applied more thinly that way, while maintaining full coverage.

If you use aerosol sprays, I highly recommend Testors Dulcote. I've tried a few, but nothing else works as well, nor as consistently. Gloss varnishes tend to be less finicky, so I'll usually go for a middleground - something bigger and cheaper, but still from a trusted brand (Krylon, Rust-Oleum, etc.).

I use heavy glass ceramite varnish.

So should you all, its amazing little secret.

Well, i know that Paint on isn't an option for me.. IG foot hoard... i shutter just thinking about it now. But, if the varnish coats alter the coloration of the minis.. then i might need to find afew sacraficial.. er.. Brave Voulentiers to see how strongly the color saturation is affected.

If airbrush is an option, go with the airbrush varnish. Spray cans always put down too thick a coat, muting colors and highlights way more than necessary. You are always going to get SOME muting, but when using an airbrush it can be so subtle as to be unnoticeable.

With an airbrush varnish you can even utilize strategic varnish coats during the paint job without any negative effect to the end product. For example, gloss varnishes allow for some neat paint chipping techniques, enhance the flow of washes and pigments, and allow you to use various techniques involving spirits without damaging the underlying paint job. Matt varnishes allow for easier application of weathering powders and enhance drybrush techniques.