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I'm running Swarmy Nids which means I'll need a lot of models. I'll be carrying them in a GW or similar case, but I may have to overlap some bodies with tails, tails with tails, etc. And, while I know they'll rub up against each other, I'd like to keep the possibility of scratches on paint to a minimum. So, I'm curious what varnish/overcoat/sealant is best for this purpose in your opinion.

Thanks in advance

SG

To be fair, I've never had a problem with GW purity seal and then a Matt varnish coat at the end. Generally a gloss or satin varnish is going to be much better than a Matt one at protecting the model, but people tend to prefer the look of the Matt finish.

At the moment I tend to use oil washes, so everything already has a gloss (Vallejo or Windsor/Newton) coat. I dull with Army Painter Matte spray.

Also, don't underestimate the importance of a good primer to start with!!

 ArbitorIan wrote:
Also, don't underestimate the importance of a good primer to start with!!

I'm only using GW Chaos Black primer. I've tried Krylon, but I much prefer the GW primer.

SG

In for answers, I've been doing some real nice painting lately and I need a solution to seal my models.

Purity Seal worked a few times, but it screwed me on two really nice models and I'm really scared to use it again.

ServiceGames wrote:

 ArbitorIan wrote:
Also, don't underestimate the importance of a good primer to start with!!

I'm only using GW Chaos Black primer. I've tried Krylon, but I much prefer the GW primer.

SG

Me too!

Just a thought - if you're running swarms of models, you could have a look at the Quickshade dips from Army Painter. They're rough tools, but mean you can shade a ton of models quickly, and they're also a super-tough sealant. You'll definitely need a Matt spray afterwards, though, as it comes out very glossy.

 ArbitorIan wrote:
To be fair, I've never had a problem with GW purity seal and then a Matt varnish coat at the end. Generally a gloss or satin varnish is going to be much better than a Matt one at protecting the model, but people tend to prefer the look of the Matt finish.

Thats why you do a coat of gloss or satin and then a duller coat over it to remove the shiny.

Carefulness is better imo, its real easy to fog your models or at least just alter the colour balance when you varnish them.

That really only happens if you apply the varnish in improper temperatures.

 Grey Templar wrote:
That really only happens if you apply the varnish in improper temperatures.

Maybe but its happened to me twice, i now hand varnish, i spray in my kitchen, low humidity probably ave temp 18-20 c?? When you spend 10's of hours that you dont have on a set on minis and are super stoked by what youve accomplished to only go and ruin them in 5 mins is both extremely saddening and infuriating all at once, id hate that to happen to some one else. considering i try and pick my dudes up by the base as they are all converted so often delicate ive not had to repaint any from wear and tear. Might be more of a concern if i had more metal dudes. Plus even if it doesnt fog it does change the colours slightly.

Just putting it out there.

It could have been a bad or old can. Distance from the nozzle also is important.

Vallejo satin works for me. I don't play many games though

IMHO. I used Pledge Future for the main coat. This stuff is solid and works as a bonus if you want gloss coat. If I want dull it I would use this then spray Testors Dull Coat or even mix future in. Either way it works.

Pledge, testers laquer then Vallejo matte.

 Grey Templar wrote:
That really only happens if you apply the varnish in improper temperatures.

Temperature isn't the only thing, it is easy to get cloudiness especially with matte varnishes. After using Vallejo matt varnish through my airbrush for ages and never having a problem, a couple of weeks ago I randomly got a cloudy finish. I still have no idea why, I probably did something wrong but it was a pain in the arse to fix.

And Zognob isn't wrong that even if you do it "right" it can mess up the contrast you have on the model.

The vast majority of my models aren't varnished, I mostly only varnish as part of specific techniques (like decaling or weathering). If the model doesn't use techniques that require a varnish, I don't bother varnishing.

I don't really have any "favourite" products, I dislike all of them in some way I've never gotten great results with Vallejo gloss varnish, I prefer GW's ard coat. Humbrol clear has very good self levelling properties, but last time I used it over a Tamiya basecoat it caused crazing which made me a bit unhappy. After a gloss I typically hit it with a Vallejo satin, though I haven't really tested a lot of them to know which one is "best", it's just what I have and it's been working for me so far.

My favorite matte varnish is testors acryl clear flat.

it is amazing, and can brush on or airbrush on.

An incredibly popular rattle can is testors dullcoate.

My favorite gloss varnish is liquitex high gloss varnish, I dilute it slightly with some 91% alcohol and use it in my airbrush.

Allclad also makes an excellent clear gloss varnish, called aqua gloss, which goes on in several thin coats.

The frosting is not as much about the humidity when you are spryaing, but about if the previous layers are dry - do a search on frosting and varnish, and you will get dozens of posts about it.

bestof luck!

 albinoork wrote:
Vallejo satin works for me. I don't play many games though

Agreed on all three points... even

Lately I've been using Micador spray gloss. Previously Vallejo gloss & GW 'Ardcoat. The Micador stuff seems much better than either and is pretty cheap too.


https://www.artstoreonline.com.au/aerosols/micador/micador-picture-varnish-gloss-450g/prod_20206.html