Varnish

[hissa-lives]

Hey,
Just getting to the end of painting my first team (pics to follow when done!) and was wondering whether it's best to varnish the figs to protect them a bit? if so what is the best one to use??

Cheers

[outcast]

Definitely a good idea! I use two coats of gloss (for protection) and one or two coats of dullcote (matt varnish) to take the shine off it.

As someone else on here mentioned, the nice thing about this process is that as soon as your figs start to look shiny again you know you need to give them a top up of dullcote

Look forward to seeing your team.

[el Superbeasto]

I only use one of each (first gloss, it's stronger, then matt), but yes, varnish is an absolute must for gaming figures!

[hissa-lives]

Any recommendations for where to get some?

[el Superbeasto]

Any recommendations for where to get some?

Really depends on your location.
Product wise I use an old Humbrol Gloss Cote. Don't know if it's "the best" but it works fine for me.
For matt varnish, a lot of people swear to Testors Dullcote. I've used it myself, but have had some bad experience with it creating white spots on my figures. I recently read a good review (by James Wappel) on Armypainter's Matt Varnish, so I decided to buy that. Haven't tried it yet, though, but it's quite cheap.

[JT-Y]

Rather than copy and paste or retype it all, here's a link to my thoughts on varnishing on my old blog on the PP forums:
http://privateerpressforums.com/showthr ... post375669

It's how I do all my metal mini's and it's served me well.

Hope that helps.

[outcast]

After a bad experience with Citadel Purity Seal, I only use Testors now. Unfortunately, it's not always the easiest for me to get in the UK and I often have to shop around. Here are the last places I used:

Glosscote
http://www.creativemodels.co.uk/testors ... 21286.html

Dullcote
http://www.greatescapegames.co.uk/paint ... rnish.html
(Looks like they are selling it bundled with paints now?? May be worth giving them a call to check if it's still available separately)

[hissa-lives]

Rather than copy and paste or retype it all, here's a link to my thoughts on varnishing on my old blog on the PP forums:
http://privateerpressforums.com/showthr ... post375669

It's how I do all my metal mini's and it's served me well.

Hope that helps.

Wow that is in depth! cheers, and will go get some gloss and order the matte!

[Dr. Von Richten]

I use a double coating of Armypainter's Matt ('Anti-Shine') Varnish, and it works well to serve and protect my minis!

[Digger Goreman]

I use testors gloss and then dull cotes....

Line up the minis all facing the same direction and start your spray just before the mini on one side and "hose 'em down" (but not till they drip)... let dry (don't use on humid/rainy days)... turn 180 degrees... repeat process... turn 90 degrees... repeat... turn 180 degrees... repeat.... That completes the gloss.... (I think of the pattern as North-South-East-West)....

Do a second gloss if you REALLY want to, but I don't find it necessary....

Lightly repeat the process with dull cote....

Beware that spray varnishes are inhalant dangers and concentrated abuse is linked to cancer through California research.... Needless to say: only use in a well ventilated area and don't spray into the wind....

[hissa-lives]

Cheers for all the advice guys, am edging towards paint on varnish at the minute. This is because in the UK, so getting to time of year when spraying is risky, also I've done quite a few guitars the last couple of summers and getting a bit fed up with spraying! Nitro Cellulose laquer is horrible stuff but finishes nicely.

[outcast]

Line up the minis all facing the same direction and start your spray just before the mini on one side and "hose 'em down" (but not till they drip)... let dry (don't use on humid/rainy days)... turn 180 degrees... repeat process... turn 90 degrees... repeat... turn 180 degrees... repeat.... That completes the gloss.... (I think of the pattern as North-South-East-West)....

Do a second gloss if you REALLY want to, but I don't find it necessary....

Lightly repeat the process with dull cote....

My technique exactly

Cheers for all the advice guys, am edging towards paint on varnish at the minute. This is because in the UK, so getting to time of year when spraying is risky

Don't want to dissuade you from paint on varnish as I've never used it but just wanted to add that I've sprayed Testors all through the summer and winter and never had any trouble - maybe I've just been lucky with the whole humidity thing? Mind you, I do shake the can like a madman for at least 2 minutes every time!

[outcast]

Forgot to mention that the other (minor) advantage to spraying is your static grass gets a good coating of glosscote which helps the stuff stay in place a little longer!

Not sure how you would paint on over it without getting it stuck to everything but I guess it's not essential - you can just glue some more on when it wears a bit thin.

[DixonCider]

has anyone else noticed that inks sometimes brush away with paint on varnish? I am thinking I may go to a spray on first then do two coats of paint on to see if this fixes the issue

[JT-Y]

Yes. It's all explained in my link above.