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I am wanting some advice...

I have just started getting a little more serious with my painting and I feel I need some protection so all my hard work isn't ruined.

What should I use?

Quick shade will both enhance the appearance of minis by doing some shading for you, it also seals the paint. I have been happy using it.

Gw sells a varnish that ive been using. It does cause the paint to shine though.

Vallejo has spray and brush on varnishes. Both matte and glossy.

Testors Dull Coat gets a lot of good response around here. I've used it with great success.

Hazard30 wrote:
What should I use?

The search function. Threads on varnishing crop up all the time.

Personally, I use Krylon Crystal Clear for gloss, Testors Dullcote for matte, and Vallejo gloss for small, brush-on applications (re-glossing gems, lenses, etc. after an overall matte coat, generally).

Minwax Polyshades not only comes in the colors that some people use for dips (like Army Painter, only cheaper) but they make a clear coat as well. Polyurethane makes for a really nice protective shell for minis. The major downside is they get super shiny, so you pretty much have to Dullcote them (which is added protection).

@ Savage Robby: does the minwax Polyshades goop up in the corners and recessed areas? I have seen the army painter dip, just not sure about the final drying and thickness of the coat.

If you dip it, you also have to shake off the excess, just like the colored dip. Otherwise, yeah, it will goop up. It is easy enough to use a damp paper toll to wick off excess, though.

Also, they have a spray which goes on finer, but seems slightly (and I mean slightly) yellower.

I use this, as it leaves a flat (i.e. natural color) finish with good protection:



Some people use this, believe it or not, but be warned, it can leave a "glossy" shine:



Some people also like the Satin finish....in between glossy and matte:




If I'm doing a gem, a lens, or some kind of glass "thing"....I spray some of my Gloss finish into a disposable cup, and take some out on an old brush, and brush it over the specific area I want glossy/reflective.