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I'm putting the finishing touches to a model now that I'm quite happy with but my last successful showcase piece suffered quite a bit of paint chipping when I moved it around (despite a foam bag). I was wondering what other people use for sealants (or fixers, whatever you call them)?

-TameYeti

I've recently started using Humbrol Clear, which is a thin gloss varnish that claims to be airbrush ready straight from the bottle; I've had no problems so far. It also brushes quite nicely so long as you stick to thin and even coats.

Testor's Dullcote is the mack daddy of matte varnishes. For gloss I use Future.

Varnish is the term you're looking for. Others are used (sealant, clear coat, etc.), but varnish is by far the most common and universally understood.

Personally, I LOVE Dullcote. Nothing else I've tried has given me such attractive and consistent results (not to mention the durability). Some people think it's the death of metals, as it dulls their gleam, but they retain a certain sheen distinct from non-metallic paints - I consider it "atmospheric perspective in a can."

For gloss, I've been using Krylon's Crystal Clear aerosol spray quite happily, with VGC brush-on gloss for spot applications after an overall matte coat, but my experiments with Future are promising enough that I may not bother restocking those when they run out.

Do a search....there are TONS of posts on varnishes (as Oadie points out - the term varnish is commonly used).

You can find lots of good information and tons of testimonials on different varnishes, including details on the different finishes (matte, satin and gloss).

My personal favorites;

Spray - testors dullcoate

Airbrush/brush on matte - testors model masters flat clear acryl

Airbrush/brush on gloss - liquitex high gloss varnish.
This is the MOST shiny gloss I have found.

Note: there are many others out there....do a search, really you won't be disappointed in the abundance of answers.

best of luck and have fun!

Didn't think there was much of a difference between the quality of them, just which method of application you prefer and the matte/glossiness of them. I use Vallejo sprayed through an old airbrush. I haven't used others so can't compare it to them, but like any excuse to use my airbrush ; p

The others have given great recommendations (my go to for over 30 years is Testor's Dull Cote) so I'll add only this: anything that doesn't say Purity Seal on the can.