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Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User





hey guys so when ever I try to varnish my models it tends to give then a chalky feel and the paint strips off easier than before I applied the varnish. so far I've tried GW's purity seal, Testors dull coat, and a couple of others but they all make the models chip and scratch easier. im using GW primers and paints so I don't know why this keeps happening.

1850  
   
Made in de
Longtime Dakkanaut






Sounds weird. Are you maybe applying the varnish too thick?
Doing some tests on sprue might help you suss out any problems in application.

   
Made in us
Gargantuan Gargant





Binghamton, NY

The chalky feel could be explained by spraying too far from the models, allowing the atomized varnish to clump and partially cure in the air (primers frequently have the same issue, especially white ones). When it hits the model, it's more like a collection of tiny, sticky varnish balls than a liquid that can properly adhere, self-level, and cure in a smooth coat.

As for the paint weakening after varnishing... that's a first, actually, since we're not talking about inks running, which can happen. Unless you're handling the models far too early, the solvent in your varnish should have fully dissipated, so I doubt it's that (especially with a chalky coat, which usually points to insufficient solvent upon contact). Gw primers aren't known for their resilience, but plain old enamel spray paint is usually sufficient, at least for plastics (we are talking plastics here, right?). Perhaps the weak shell of the chalky varnish layer is chipping, since it can't properly bond to itself, and carrying paint with it? You may be hitting an unlucky point at which the bond between varnish and paint is stronger than both "primer" to model and varnish to varnish.

Try a test on a piece of scrap styrene (sprue, bit you can strip, etc.), priming and painting as normal (1-2 coats of a color will do it), then spraying the varnish closer, leaving a thin but thorough, wet coat. The whole piece should be glossy (at least while it's still wet), but without drips puddles. Should give you better results with the varnish, at least. If the chipping problem isn't solved, you may have a dud on the priming end.

Just in case it's also factoring in, always try to give your paints and varnishes time to cure properly. Gentle painting over enamel spray paint or prior coats of acrylic is usually fine once they're dry to the touch, but some products take days to really firm up. Never used GW sprays, "primer" or varnish, but Dullcote is my matte varnish of choice and I find it quite resilient, so I'm at a bit of a loss, here. Unless someone else chimes in with a similar experience and their fix, you'll have to do a bit more experimentation.

The Dreadnote wrote:But the Emperor already has a shrine, in the form of your local Games Workshop. You honour him by sacrificing your money to the plastic effigies of his warriors. In time, your devotion will be rewarded with the gift of having even more effigies to worship.
 
   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User





thanks, I have been spraying from fairly far away. i'll try playing around wit it some more. thankfuly I've been using the cheap clip together guardians as test models for all my painting techniques rather than my good models

1850  
   
Made in de
Shunting Grey Knight Interceptor






I like using Army Painter's Quickshade.... a kind of shade and varnish in one. Works very well.

"When in deadly danger,
When beset by doubt,
run in little circles,
wave your arms and shout." - Litany of Command (parody)

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