| RuLane | 28 Apr 2014 1:50 p.m. PST |
For years I have varnished my units (15mm Napoleonic) and then added the flags, unvarnished, worried that I will tarnish them with too much varnish or that they might develop a shiny finish. Can anyone recommend the best way to preserve flags? Thanks |
| The Gray Ghost | 28 Apr 2014 1:59 p.m. PST |
I don't make my own flags I replace the flag once it is damaged/tarnished |
| Fat Wally | 28 Apr 2014 2:10 p.m. PST |
I've always brushed gloss varnish on to seal the ink, prior to bending the flag into 'shapes'. With home printed ones this stops the ink flaking off when bent. Also I noticed that some of my GMB flags reacted to being spayed with Testors so I brushed them with gloss too. Once dry they are sprayed with Matt and everything is fine. No fading, no flaking etc. |
| KTravlos | 28 Apr 2014 2:23 p.m. PST |
I gloss-varnish my cloth flags before adding them to units and then matt varnish the whole unit. Never had an issue
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| John Armatys | 28 Apr 2014 2:29 p.m. PST |
I always varnish flags. It gives them a bit of protection (particularly as I use a bubble jet printer). |
| 14Bore | 28 Apr 2014 3:04 p.m. PST |
My figures get their flags then sprayed. Some are getting old but still have held up. |
| Widowson | 28 Apr 2014 8:20 p.m. PST |
I'm unclear. Are you guys saying that it's best to varnish home-printed flags, but not the store-bought variety? |
| normsmith | 28 Apr 2014 9:02 p.m. PST |
In the world of art, watercolour goes behind glass and both acrylic and oil get varnish, simply to protect from the elements (I.e. Ordinary indoors light and air) , the same principles must hold true for paper flags regardless of whether they be of inkjet or laser origin. |
 McLaddie  | 29 Apr 2014 7:01 a.m. PST |
An art fixtative spray will provide the same protection and isn't as heavy or shiny at all. It works for watercolors, inkjet color copies as well as acrylic and oil on paper. It also will protect the flags from yellowing, unlike most varnishes. |
| Lion in the Stars | 29 Apr 2014 8:56 a.m. PST |
I haven't varnished my flags yet, but that's mostly because I have very few of them so far. The one I made from tissue paper and then painted, I shaped while the glue was still damp. I'd do the same with a printed flag, but attach and shape while the matte medium was still damp (as opposed to plain glue). And then I'd give it a protective coat. |
| RuLane | 29 Apr 2014 1:15 p.m. PST |
Thanks McLaddie – that sounds like the best solution |
| BelgianRay | 30 Apr 2014 2:14 p.m. PST |
Widowson : That is exactly what I do. |
goes to sea with the Terrain Mat.
