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I have a whole bunch of metal aspect warriors and eldar characters as I much prefer these over the failcast alternatives. However I see these are not without issues..

These have been primed and based, zenithal highlighted and are sitting in a shoe box waiting for their turn at the paint desk. But, I can already see some chips and wear.
I plan on using foam storage for these minis once completed, but might do magnetized boxes.

The metal characters I painted thus far seem to be holding up alright. I think once you do brush layers the paint tends to rub off less easily.

So how do people tend to secure their metal miniatures? Bear in mind these are intended as playing pieces occasionally.
Would it be a good idea to give these a liberal coat of varnish over the base/zenithal, prior to painting, and then another final coat once finished?

I've been using Tamiya semi gloss varnish to seal my minis as a final step thus far and have not had issue.

In my experience, metal models don't chip all that easily if you treat them with the same care you would plastic models. A coat of varnish after painting, handling them by the base, and storage in foam has worked for me.

Argive,

Well the best defense against chips is a good wash followed by a good primer solid primer coat.

Then paint your model your preferred method.

Seal with a good sealant. I use two coats of Dull Coat for a matt finish, but many folks do a layer of gloss first and then the matt varnish.

Storing your models in separate little spots in foam trays and do not store them together in a pile.

If you have sealed them then the only reason that the paint should chip is the models striking each other, which should not happen if they are stored properly.

Hope that helps,

CB

Varnishing over layers is pretty pointless, unless you're protecting something specific or using it for weathering. Just apply a few coats of varnish to your completed model and handle with care, and be prepared to touch bits up every now and then if you're going to be transporting them.

OP It sounds like you may actually have a primer issue, but to some extent it's the nature of the beast, too.

Metal models almost always need a good wash before priming; moulds are usually released with a talc like powder or sometimes a silicone spray that buggers up adhesion. I can't stress enough - this really does help.

They're also very susceptible to edge wear (so is hard resin). Urethane or acrylic primers (Vallejo etc) need to be allowed to cure fully, and even then it's best to avoid handling until the paintjob's done and sealed.

Mount on pins or cocktail sticks and poke into open-cell packing foam (like you get for electronics), or use painting blocks (I often blutack the base to plastic shotglasses).

Sometimes a rattlecan primer (and I actually mean a metal primer as opposed to the basecolour acrylic sprays) is actually better for metals; something with some bite to it.

Be prepared to repaint Banshee hair edges and Warp Spider backpacks often, all I can say.

Coat of varnish and then magnetic transport(like with rest of my models) is enough for me. As they are during transport/storage essentially standing freely without touching others they don't get paint damaged there. Varnish covers handling during game.