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So I used Vallejo Matt Varnish as a surface leveller on one of my pieces; it does a good job hiding seams, mold lines, and paint imperfections that I missed. If I then wanted to apply some Citadel 'Ardcoat to this same surface, would there be any chemical interactions that I need to be aware of?

And just out of curiousity, what about the opposite case? What are the effects of Matt Varnish on 'Ardcoat? Because I will be doing some decals later.

Works just fine. In fact, in historical or high-end gaming painting you're almost always using multiple layers of varnish for the various techniques.

Oh interesting. Any example? Because I was just thinking of making my eyes shinier in some spots.

 Suzuteo wrote:
Oh interesting. Any example? Because I was just thinking of making my eyes shinier in some spots.

Weathering, transfers, etc. To use transfers you're typically putting down a layer of gloss varnish underneath and then another layer to seal them, and then you're doing at least one matte layer to kill the shine. For oil washes you often want a gloss varnish over the whole model so they'll flow better. The final varnish is usually a matte or semi-matte layer to give a more realistic look. Oil/grease/etc stains are often done with gloss varnish mixed with ink/paint on top of the final matte layer.

While the above is correct, You need to experiment with varnishes before you take it and most other things written online as gospel. For example, the one time I tried doing anything over gloss it was a nightmare as the gloss I used was ridiculously shiny.. Like glass. The surface was too smooth and any paint, wash, oils etc applied over the top just rolled off. Now this probably isn't the case with all gloss, but in my personal experience satin varnish actually works better for most effects. Especially oil washes and 'filters' which are more forgiving on less smooth surfaces due to being more translucent and easier to blend using thinners.
Transfer wise I've never had any problem applying transfers over cured paint using microset/microsol. If you don't need to apply a varnish at an intermediate step then my opinion is don't bother. Generally a gloss finish is undesirable for most modelling elements so if you apply a gloss before transfers you've only got to get rid of the shine using matte later anyway.

Are you airbrushing your varnishes?
Because painting on top of a gloss can be a pain with a hairy brush. If I need to do it, I always put a thin layer of matte varnish on top first (with the airbrush).
Otherwise, there shouldn't be any problem if you're only using acrylics.

I'm using 'Ardcoat and not that floor polisher that some people advocate. And Vallejo Matt Varnish seems to be a very popular brush-on varnish. So... should be okay, right?

Another thought: I was told the proper order for a water transfer is:
1) Ardcoat
2) Microset
3) Transfer
4) Microsol
5) Ardcoat
6) Matt Varnish

Will the result be matte or semi-glossy?

I just find it difficult to paint over gloss varnish. But there's nothing inherently wrong with doing so.

The last coat is the only one that affects the shine. So if you finish with a matte varnish, it will be matte, no matter what's underneath.

Also, airbrushed coats tend to be more matte. I don't know if that's also the case with varnishes. But you might get slightly different results than people using the same product but through an airbrush.

IMO for a lot of the jobs you'd use a varnish for, slightly watered down matt medium does a better job as a mid-paintjob sealer, and for transfers. I'd go for a spray on matt varnish right at the end

Your final result depends on your final varnish. If you spray a matte varnish last...it will be matte. Do be sure to let the coat underneath dry completely first.

 Suzuteo wrote:
I'm using 'Ardcoat and not that floor polisher that some people advocate. And Vallejo Matt Varnish seems to be a very popular brush-on varnish. So... should be okay, right?

Another thought: I was told the proper order for a water transfer is:
1) Ardcoat
2) Microset
3) Transfer
4) Microsol
5) Ardcoat
6) Matt Varnish

Will the result be matte or semi-glossy?

I do something very similar to this

1.) paint
2.) Gloss varnish
3.) micro set
3.) transfer
5. ) mirco sol (let dry)
6.) mircrosl (let dry)
7.) Matte varnish/testors dull cote

The result will be whatever the last step is, in this case matte

EDIT: I use Johnson Pledge Floor Clear /Klear (UK) in an airbrush for sealers insteal of gloss as well.