"Do you varnish your 1/1200 ships" Topic

The thread about starting Napoleonic naval inspired this question. Given that the bases for most, if not all, of our sailing ships are designed to avoid handling the model and to keep fingers away from the rigging do you still varnish your paintwork?

I understand that a certain amount of handling occurs during rigging, unless the models are based prior to this but although I am very careful to varnish my figures I'm seriously wondering if I need go to the bother for ships, if I get back into doing some more.

I'd welcome your thoughts.

I always hit the ship with a light coat of Krylon semi-gloss for protection before rigging. I brush the bases in a high gloss that makes the semi-gloss imperceptible, plus the semi-gloss shine will fade in a couple of weeks.

Yeah I generally hit mine with a spray of flat clearcoat before rigging (and same as Cold Steel, the bases with a gloss varnish).

I always coat. I spray coat after I rig as well. It stiffins the rigging and gives further protection. Last step is glss the sea base.

Hi Timmo – I don't bother to varnish the ships, only the base (for a glossy water effect). I figure, if it gets to the point that the ships themselves are being handled, I have bigger problems than a little scuffed paint – like broken rigging and bent masts.

Although now that I think about it, I have touched the ends of the yards with a little varnish from time to time, just the very tips. So I'm a hypocrite.

You will find a metal ruler across the knuckles is a wonderful cure for ham-fisted gamers.

I also spray coat after putting in ratlines. Though I wait till it's hot and dry so that the small holes in the ratlines don't fill up. I'm afraid I like my toys looking sharp and glossy.

Metal ruler? I once brought a sabre to one of my games and only smiled (widely) if asked 'was I intending to use it on the players.' They all played very nicely, but I think the trick only would be effective once.

I never actually resorted to that extreme. The service was always rendered by another gamer who appreciated the work that goes into a good looking ship and thought they deserved more careful handling.

No varnish.

I have always sprayed with clearcoat prior to rigging. After rigging I apply a dab of varnish to the tips of all spars and masts just for insurance.

Thanks all. I think I'll probably not varnish but I do like the idea of just touching in the ends of the yards and the mast tips with a dab of varnish – shipping insurance.

Hi Timmo,
I varnish all of the ship with Army Paint matt spray varnish before rigging or adding the rat-lines. I use a pin to clear the holes for rigging after spraying. I think that gloss varnish on the sea is to much I live by the sea in the U.K and the sea only looks shiney on sunny days and on clear water. This happens about 2 times a year. But to see a painted and rigged ship always looks good on the table. Do it your way! I like painted ships and love rigged ships.
Good luck.
Be safe
Rory

Kevin in Albuquerque. ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!

Waiting until it's hot and dry…..in NEW MEXICO!! You are a Sick kid.

Dan from the wet Northeast.

Dantheman, I am wounded. Right now there are thunderboomers wandering around the state (and central NM) and if I tried to get any spray coating done now, well let's just say I'd be better off flocking desert bases!

But it was a beautiful 91 F two days ago with 9% humidity and no wind. Makes one think about building pyramids, it does. And the spray coat dries in less than 10 minutes.

I always hit the ship with a light coat of Krylon Semi-Gloss for protection before rigging.