"Do You Varnish Your Figures (dumb question?!?)" Topic

I'm currently listening to the latest Meeples and Miniatures podcast which is a Q&A session were people have written in questions for the three presenters to answer.

One person asked if the presenters varnished their figures. To my absolute amazement the answer was, essentially, no. None of the three varnished their figures, and mentioned that paint has scuffed off their figures due to handling. One presenter said in such an instance he would re-paint rather than vanish.

I find this astonishing. I slap 4 coats on metals, 2 on plastics, religiously. I've spent the time painting my figures to the best of my ability the last thing I want is to have to go back and touch up where bare metal peeks through.

So what about TMP, do you, or don't you? And if you don't, for the love of God, why?!?!?

Varnish, of course.

Normally 1 or 2 gloss & one matt coat of varnish.

Absolutely. A coat of satin followed by a coat of matte.

One coat of acrylic gloss then Dullcoat.

One brush coat of matt, two for larger figures that are likely to be handled by the figure rather than the base.

Matte finish, one or two coats.

Yes.

I used to do a coat of gloss and two of Dullcote, but now it is just one of Dullcote. I have bevome lazy and cheap in my old ago.

On metals and hard plastics, a coat of matte, sometimes preceded by a gloss coat. Soft plastics get a coat of PVA, generally brushed on.

I use Minwax for shading. It's a great protective covering. I then use a single coat of dulcoat over that.

Yes of course I do. I spray gloss on models that get decals then matte varnish and just matte varnish on figures that don't get decals.

Terry

Yes.

Minwax PolyShades

Yes. Vallejo gloss to seal the surface and preserve the colour then doctored DalerRowney matt acrylic varnish.

Like the OP I hated having to retouch unvarnished figures – soul destroying so decades ago I started varnishing and am amazed that some don't bother.

I don't varnish these days.

I've not seen any damage to figs with the modern acrylic paints done over a good undercoat.

David F Brown

Yes.

1 coat satin followed by one coat flat on appropriate areas.

Absolutely. I can't even comprehend the horror of needing to needlessly repaint! I still remember the crushing disappointment as a young boy, after carefully painting my Airfix Napoleonic figures, watching the pigment flake off. Didn't know about sealing figures back then.

I always use Liquitex brush-on matte or satin depending on subject.

Army painter quick shades with matte spray for me.
Figures seem to be really protected.

One or two coats of spray matt varnish.

Artists acrylic satin, followed by "Magic Wash" ( Future Klear + pigment) which is a pretty good protective layer. Sometimes matte varnish to finish, depending on how I have done previous figures in that army.

A coat of gloss before applying an ink wash because that makes the ink flow better. Then a coat of flat varnish to matt the gloss. If decals are to be applied always gloss varnish 1st and again after the decal has dried, then matt varnish. Whether or not it protects the paint is a matter of choice, but why take the risk what have you lost?

No I don't.

Yes.

I have never ever varnished figures in over 40 years of painting. I have never ever had any problems as a result of not varnishing.

And if you don't, for the love of God, why?!?!?

The paint is matt to start with so there is no need for varnish unless you want a gloss finish (I don't). Acrylic modelling paint is basically a plastic when dry. Varnish is just another layer of the same. The varnish being transparent will not protect the paint against UV and acrylic paint is just as hard (if not harder) than varnish so will not chip or flake.

MajorB – you obviously have access to some sort of Kryptonian paint!

Yes.

And I use different types of sealant (matte, satin, gloss) over matte and metallic paints to get different finishing effects. Sometimes bold, sometimes as subtle as giving marines in khaki shiny shoes.

I don't varnish. Varnish is not necessary if you use a quality primer that will ensure the paint sticks to the figure. If you have to varnish to protect your painting, then you are need to buy a better primer.

Try it. You will thank me (and the others who keep espousing quality primers) later.

MajorB – you obviously have access to some sort of Kryptonian paint!

No, just Coat d'Arms modelling paint. But any acrylic paint should be the same.

Seems Nick Bowler has no problems either. I use Humbrol matt enamel as primer. Works fine.

Yes. With gloss.

Depends. Hard plastics, I don't. Metals, I do: clear varnish and then matt varnish.

Depends. Hard plastics, I don't. Metals, I do:

Why the difference?

acrylic paint is just as hard (if not harder) than varnish so will not chip or flake.

True.

I stopped varnishing figures decades ago (about the time I got rid of all but acrylic paints) and, although my figures get handled a lot, I have never seen any significant wear to the paint jobs.

No never seen the need. Used to do it with the old poor paint on airfix type figures. Tamiya paint is fine on soft and hard plastics. Even varnish does not save a model from the inevitable drop and handling damage.

3 coats of DullCote.

I used to varnish figures but I don't bother any more.

It hasn't made any appreciable difference.

Well, MajorB and other varnishing heretics, I'm willing to try it. Next batch of figs I'll leave one unvarnished and see what happens…

One coat of spray gloss, two coats of spray matte, then I hit the shiny parts with paint on gloss. It works for me, but my figures don't get too much wear and tear.

pjm

Varnish is a must for me, it evens the colours and reflectivity, and seems to enhance detail.

it evens the colours and reflectivity,

??? Please explain what you mean?

Why the difference?

Well primed hard plastics don't need varnishing to protect the painting, in my experience. I have W40K armies that have been transported, played with, roughly handled and not a single figure has ever presented chipping or flakes in the painting. The same figures in metal would have been stripped clear.

Stopped varnishing last year. I've had problems with humidity turning figures grey and with "matte" varnish drying too glossy for my taste.

Always, but on single figures that get a lot of handling I use a special metals primer. A decent primer is the key, rather than varnish.

The same figures in metal would have been stripped clear.

Have you ever tried not varnishing a metal figure? If not how can you be sure what you say is true?

One coat of very flat Krylon spray. It's a flatter finish then their matte clear coat. No issues with durability so far.