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What varnish should I use on my miniatures? I've read a lot of people swearing by Testor's dullcote, is it really that good? I've also read that I should put a gloss varnish and then spray on the matte varnish.

Also, for some miniatures like Sanguinary Guard I don't want the model to have a very matte look as I feel the armour should be a bit shiny. What varnish should I use for those miniatures to make sure the shiny look doesn't get removed?

Always use matte. Or at Satin if you absolutely must. Never us Gloss. It looks awful on 3d models. Testers is good aparantly but I've heard it can degrade acryllic. I used to use humbrol matte enamel, but I've just bought some windsor and newton galeria matte brush on.

I use citadel Munitorium Varnish in spray, its semi-matt - one coat, easy & fast. Remeber to shake the can well before use and do it outside or in room with very good ventilation if must.

If I want some parts to stay shiny, I use Gloss Varnish from humbrol on them (after applying matt coat) - i put it with brush.

Always varnish decals in gloss. You can use any brush on acrylic stuff thinned with a little water. I use Winsor and Newton artist varnish.

If you Matt Varnish figures (I use Army painter Matt. But always shake very well and test first as you may need to get rid of excess propellant by spraying upside down. Humbrol also works fine) but want some parts shiny just brush over with some satin or gloss.

You can gloss, but you have to use matte afterwards. I use Vajello Gloss (brush-on, not spray) for a really durable coat, followed by Vajello Matte (again, brush-on, though you can use both in an airbrush).

Matte sprays are a gamble, because a little too much or the wrong conditions and you've frosted up all your hard work.

Sangenius wrote:
What varnish should I use on my miniatures? I've read a lot of people swearing by Testor's dullcote, is it really that good?

It's good, yes, but will dull down your metals. For shiny armor, you may be better off with something with a little sheen, and then brush on matte sealer on the parts you don't want glossy, if you varnish them at all, which I've never really done necessary.

I've also read that I should put a gloss varnish and then spray on the matte varnish.

This is commonly suggested in the belief that it is more durable than just the matte sealer alone. In practice, it's only going to make any difference if you are incredibly rough with handling your minis.

I tend to use Humbrol Matt Cote (which is actually really quite glossy) and then Testors dullcote. Then go back over bits I want to be shiny (generally metals but also other things on occasion) with gloss.

I had a bad experience with two different brands of spray varnish and have never used it again only brush on.

Ok, so when i go to decal my minis, i want to first gloss underneath where im putting decal, then when thats done i put matte over. And this method makes the decal more "solid" aka gives it the best sticking power.?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
And is it bad iv left my minis with out varnish for like 8 months ( im not touching them )

 Stormatious wrote:

And is it bad iv left my minis with out varnish for like 8 months ( im not touching them )

I have miniatures that are 25 years old that have never been varnished.

I don't varnish my tabletop minis, like ever. Might start now that I have an airbrush. But seriously a gloss coat and a matte coat is absolutely overkill unless you're gaming in a burger joint with mayonnaise on your fingers.

Never chipped or rubbed off any paint to date. Not saying you shouldn't varnish your minis... but I'm not saying that you should either.

For me varnish is more for the unity of finish than protection, seeing as though I (and I assume most others) try to only handle my models by their base rims anyway. A varnish just removes the sheen of the acryllics and streaking fluids, or gives a uniform look if you use satin. It also helps seal in weathering powders.

Depends on the minis and how much they are used I find, I have never varnished a plastic or resin mini (other than for effect) but always do pewter as I find they tend to chip. YMMV of course.