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I am at the point with some models where it is time to varnish them. In the past, I just used spray varnishes, but long story short, I am allergic to something in the spray can and prefer not having to drug myself to hell and back to varnish my miniatures.

I got my hands on some brush on varnish, and was mostly wondering how many coats, etc is optimal for it. In the past, I've done 2 coats of matte varnish on plastic models, and 2 coats of first gloss, then matte varnish on metal models. I'm just not sure if using a brush vs a quick spray over will end up being overkill, so I figured I'd see what people here had to say.

It really depends on what your going to do with them. For my models I apply one coat of vallejo premium polyurethane matt varnish and it works like a charm. But my models are just display, if yours are for playing then multiple coats may be ideal. If it's any help, a freind once told me that a single coat of gloss and one or two coats of matt will be adequate protection for often handled minis.
As for spray on varnish, I just dont trust it. I've used both games workshops munitorum varnish and the army painter spray varnish and found them both disappointing.

Fair enough there. I'll probably keep up with the extra coats then to be safe since they are for gaming. I'm just not used to using the brush on stuff so figured I'd check before I dive too far in. Thanks for the advice!

Thin the varnish! I am having to strip some guys because I laid on the gloss too thick and it actually cracked and looks bad.

 SickSix wrote:
Thin the varnish! I am having to strip some guys because I laid on the gloss too thick and it actually cracked and looks bad.

Thanks for this advice. Started using gloss varnish applied with a brush since I want parts of the models to be glossy.

kurhanik wrote:
In the past, I just used spray varnishes, but long story short, I am allergic to something in the spray can and prefer not having to drug myself to hell and back to varnish my miniatures.

Others have given you good advice, but this is something I would be concerned about. It would be highly atypical to experience allergic reaction (swollen lips, hives, redness) as a result of spray varnish, but irritant-induced asthma (difficulty breathing) is a real issue that can, if the reaction is severe enough, be life-threatening. Even if neither is the case, airborne enamels and lacquers are nasty on your lugs and you really should be using adequate PPE.

A 3M respirator with a set of multi-gas vapor cartridges (60926) should run you around $40 and allow you to use sprays without issue, but I would seriously recommend following up with a doctor to figure out what's actually going on here.

I use Vallejo varnishes, first coat is a glossy to help wash flow better and after im done with paiting i apply 2 coats of matt varnish (new coat after 24hrs).
Never had problems with chipping or frosting problems.
I started brushing on because with spray ones it was really easy to get frosting on minis, no matter how well i shaked or what the weather was like.

Can you not just get some Vallejo gloss and/or matt varnish and thin it with water and shoot it through an airbrush?

When you say you are allergic i assume you mean the aersol in the spray can type.

I airbrush varnish (or Pledge Klear) and it works wonders.