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Do you? And if so, plastic and/or metal? Also, brush-on or spray? Any tips and tricks you might want to share?

Nope. I've never seen the need... And I have models that have been getting regular table use for 20 years now that haven't seemed to suffer as a result...

Yes, religiously, both as protection and finishing coat. Some of the techniques and additives I use can lead to odd results if they're not given a top coat.

Only if I have to because of a specific technique I'm using. So if using oil paints, I'll varnish, if applying decals I'll varnish.

But if I'm not doing any of that sort of stuff, I usually don't. I've had more problems with the varnish itself than I've had problems with paint scratching off.

Plastic and resin I've not found the need to, metal yes as I don't want to be constantly retouching chips. I use a brush-on, though I should probably invest in a spray at some point.

Recently converted to brush on from spray. Better control for me, and less risk of misting in the very damp area I live in.

I varnish between certain stages, and always finish with it. Protects from rubbing paint off in foam cases, and chipping.

Airbrush for varnishing saves much pain.

Since I started with multiple thin coats from the airbrush I am a very happy camper...

Testors dullcote is the best varnish I've used. Not only protects the miniature but also makes the paint appear smoother.

Everything gets done. Multiple layers. Terrain included.

I spend a fair bit of time on painting and want to protect it as much as I can. The quality of the paint-job isn't always spectacular, but it's worth protecting, regardless.

I use Vallejo, GW and Army Painter varnishes. Mainly air-brushed on but occasionally use a rattle-can.

Absolutely! A lot of painting techniques just don't work as well without varnish. It's especially good to put down a coat of gloss varnish before applying a wash, and you can do some neat glazing effects too by mixing paint in with it.

I always finish with a few coats of varnish. I usually do a gloss coat first so I can see that I haven't missed any areas. Then I go over it with my own mix of gloss/matt varnish to get just the right satin finish on it. I think it really completes the models. It ties all the surfaces together, and helps to smooth things out. And on top of giving them an extra layer of durability, it also makes them easier to clean. If they're sitting out on a shelf and get dusty, you can just run them under the tap without having to worry about the paint job.

I seal every mini I paint. My models have always gotten a lot of use, and it's even more important now that my son is old enough to want to play with my army men as well as his own. I use something called Matte Varnish that I got at a local art supply store. It gives a satin finish, leaving metallics shiny while eliminating glare from glossy paints/inks.

oh yeah! I spend too much time on my models not to.

I don't use spray much, mostly for the oodles of skeletons for my son's VC army for instance - otherwise I only use a brush on. Because, living where I do, I've had a LOT of problems with the sprays simply because of humidity.

I usually give metals several coats, as Im working. Plastics only one at the end.

Watch the humidity! If it is too humid spray on clear coat can fog up.

Get a bottle of brush on, it is nice to have when you have just one guy to coat. It is a waste to spray only one guy.

Always.
Two coats.

Depending on how many I have to do at a time defines whether or not I spray or brush varnish.

Varnishing helps make a model stand out I think its crucial for gemstones IMO.

I had some good results with a Wraith Knight I did once, satin mainly, but gloss on the head and gems.

Well...the method and how I apply it depends upon the army.

My nids are supposed to be very glossy, and I apply some heavy coats of a slightly thinned high gloss varnish on them with an airbrush.

My tau are supposed to be matte - and I use a some paints that have matte others that are more satin (minitaire is more satin, for example). So I use a matte varnish as the end - via an airbrush.

My marines have a camo scheme that is somewhat subtle, so I only use a very light varnish on them when using decals on vehicles - as typically I have noticed matte varnishes can tend to subdue some colors a tiny bit.