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As the title says, how many coats of varnish do you guys usually apply to your models? I just brushed on two generous coats of vallejo matte varnish on one of my minis and wondering if two is enough.

Assuming that you're referring to a generic protective coat, then one coat of gloss followed by two coats of matte.

After the models have been used for awhile, parts of the matte will wear away and reveal the gloss. This tells you that a fresh coat of matte is needed to protect the paint.

Yep I do a coat of gloss and then a coat of matt

 Nodri wrote:
After the models have been used for awhile, parts of the matte will wear away and reveal the gloss. This tells you that a fresh coat of matte is needed to protect the paint.

Or it's just telling you that your matte varnish doesn't stick too well to the gloss.

Two coats of matte will give you just as much protection, and the matte will stick better to itself than it will to a gloss.



That's if you really feel the need to varnish at all. I never have for gaming miniatures.

Great, I guess 2 coats of the matte will suffice. Thanks!

Metals - 1 coat of satin or gloss, 2 coats of matte. Resins and plastics - 2 coats of matte.

As long as I protect my models in a good storage/transport system and don't drop them on concrete, this is about all I've needed.

I've always done a gloss followed by dull cote. I have a forgeworld chaos temple used regularly for gaming for years that doesn't have a scratch.

It really depends, you won't find a specific magic number.

Strictly from an engineering perspective - gloss paints (and by extension gloss varnishes) are more durable than matte. The matting agent prevents as tight of an intertwining of the polymer chain. Longer chain polymers and more precise grinds on the matting agents has made the difference smaller now - but it still is detectable if you read the technical specs of the various finishes for their abrasion resistance.

In most instances though, the varnish is less about protection and more about uniformity. Various paints, inks, washes...they all have different sheens. That can prove to be distracting when it isn't desired. Applying a matte varnish over the whole model levels it off and removes that problem.

That works great when you are doing painted lighting effects and NMM - but if you are using metallic paints and gloss finishes for effect...well, you just lost that effect. As a result, you then need to come back with a gloss, satin or other finish to bring the sheen back where you want it (dripping blood, oozing slimes, shiny metal).

The varnishes also have their place throughout the painting process. Before and after decals - a gloss varnish will provide a smooth surface for adhering to and a protective coat to prevent the decal from lifting. Before inks and washes in order to better control the flow. Prior to the use of hot paints like oils and enamels to do weathering effects. After the application of powders to prevent them from knocking loose...

It is all sort of fly by the seat of your pants type stuff, and you will figure out what works best for you and what you are doing.

In general I do a coat of gloss and a coat of matt (or satin).