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What spray can provides the best/hardest protection for a model. Gloss, satin, or matt doesn't matter. I just need something that will provide the best shell for a model.
Lots of opinions and lots of conjecture on this subject. Only seen one place that has actually tested it:
Personally, I am very anti-varnish. I think the added protection is minimal and a single, unifying finish across the whole model looks awful. But then again, that's just my opinon and it's complete conjecture
The job of varnish isn't to provide a 'shell'. I really don't know why this belief exists. Possibly due to lacquer on wood furniture or something. Varnish isn't lacquer. Sure, It will provide a small degree of protection, but it's main function is to provide an even finish across the paint surface. If you want to protect your models, practice careful handling.
I suppose it depends on the perception of the user, but after multiple decades of hobbying I can safely say that I use varnish for protection more than anything else, or for special effects that I want to appear glossy.
I've never used it to give an even finish to a model, maybe I'm doing it wrong?
shmvo wrote: Personally, I am very anti-varnish. I think the added protection is minimal and a single, unifying finish across the whole model looks awful. But then again, that's just my opinon and it's complete conjecture
You know you can use different varnishes on different parts of the model, right? A gloss spray-on with strategic use of matte or satin brush-on varnish can do wonders for combining textures and protection.
queen_annes_revenge wrote: The job of varnish isn't to provide a 'shell'. I really don't know why this belief exists. Possibly due to lacquer on wood furniture or something. Varnish isn't lacquer. Sure, It will provide a small degree of protection, but it's main function is to provide an even finish across the paint surface. If you want to protect your models, practice careful handling.
Its maybe a bit of a terminology shift from when it was brought between uses. Its derived from stuff used to protect wood, so historically its absolutely a protective layer.
Interesting thing here about varnish in picture painting, is that it provides basically a ablative layer that collects all the dust and environmental crap, and allows paintings to be resurfaced periodically, rather than providing an "indestructible" outer layer.
The reason I ask is I want to paint the mcfarlane SoB model. It has this rubbery/plastic garmet. I'm looking to see if it's possible to harden it enough so I can paint it.
I've not actually got one of these myself - but these are specifically produced to be painted after all. I don't think there's any requirement to treat it with anything before painting.
Sure, you'll probably need to be careful with re-posing it afterwards. But I don't think there's anything you could coat it with that would solidify hard enough to hold the flexible parts rigid without completely masking all the details.
Davespil wrote: The reason I ask is I want to paint the mcfarlane SoB model. It has this rubbery/plastic garmet. I'm looking to see if it's possible to harden it enough so I can paint it.
if you want to harden something, varnish is completely the wrong answer. A layer of epoxy resin would be better.
You wouldn’t need to harden it to paint it anyway; acrylic paint is flexible when dry.
Heresy World Eaters/Emperors Children 
Cadre Coronal Afterglow w1;d0;l0 
