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Hi,

I am looking for general advice for brush on varnish on my miniatures.

I have tried army painter matt varnish spray but it is very hot and humid at the moment where i live (Australian East Coast) and the spray did not perform well, I applied very light coats to my models but the result was disappointing with some areas showing slight frosting and a "textured" feel.

So I have purchased two small vallejo varnishes: matt (26.651) and satin (26.652) and I intend to brush them on as I believe that this will reduce greatly the risk of frosting.

Few questions:

1. Am I right to water down slightly the varnish before to apply it?
2. I guess I will apply 2 or 3 very light coats, any other advices on the brush on techniques to get the best varnishing results?
3. Is it OK to Brush on the varnish on the miniatures that I have sprayed with army painter matt?

Any general DOs and DONTs are welcome, thanks guys

Max

I use Vallejo brush on. I've only done it on about 20 models, so YMMV.

But, I don't water down - I do a thin layer of Gloss varnish (as it's supposed to be super tough), leave to dry for 2 days, then a matt or satin (I prefer the matt, but satin looks good on armoured bits), leave to dry for 2 days.

Put models on table. Shout pew, pew, pew.

Never had a problem with frosting or anything else...

I thin mine down a bit using Vallejo Flow Improver. I didn't really like the feel of it thinned with water.

I just give it a coat of gloss followed by a coat of matte, if after waiting a few hours for the matte to dry it still looks too glossy I'll give it another coat of the matte.

Thanks for your replies guys!

What gloss varnish do you use for brush on? the only thing I have with me is GW Ardcoat...

I have used the Testors Matte acrylic coat with great success. I usually do not coat all my minis, except individuals that will be handled a lot. I have thinned it slightly with water, but you can ruin it with over thinning.

One process that is mandatory for me when using decals is to coat the area w/ Testors semi-gloss. This coats the paint to give a smooth and sealed surface for the decal to stick. Use decal set for the decal, then once the decal is dry, coat again with either semi-gloss or matte, depending on the finish desired, and the decal just blends perfectly.