"Varnish on top of rivers on wargame mat - any experience?" Topic

I recently finished a wargaming mat (4 by 8 feet that rolls up neatly) for a show in a few weeks time.

See here rollaone.com/2017/07/03/towards-moscow-trilogy-tmt-part-8-filling-in-the-brown-spots-and-plan-b.

It is made using a plastic backed canvas (drop sheet for painting) and with a sand/acrylic adhesive paste on top (then decorated with drybrushing and static grasses). I painted rivers and I think it will be good enough for the day. However I am thinking about potentially using a varnish on top on the rivers to make it look better – key issue is that it needs to be flexible, i.e. to be able to roll up without cracking (too much). With the show two weekends away I do not have too much time to experiment on my own. But would be interested to know if any of you had any experience of this. I was thinking Liquitex Gloss Varnish or Modge Podge (although the tackiness worries me). All the very best

That looks great PB! Nice texturing!
I would try a small piece of cloth with some liquiitex gloss. Being an acrylic it should be flexible enough. Maybe also try some white glue mixed with it so it adhere's better. Do them side by side, then roll up tight and see what works?
Please post pictures of the game!

Thank you, I went with the Liquitex Gloss, looks glossy enough. Let us see how it works when I roll it out again next week at the show!
rollaone.com/2017/07/09/getting-ready-for-joy-of-six-spaghetti-bridges-varnish-and-the-war-bands-done
/ Thanks