The Best Varnish for Metallics?

[penguin]

Hello everyone

I have just painted a model whose surface is almost entirely metallic. I would like to protect him with a varnish, but I\'m not sure which is best: gloss makes metals glossy, while dullcote gives them a dull lustre. Dullcoted metals can look nice on small areas, but on an entirely metallic model would spoil the effect. Glossy metals are weird.
So, which is the varnish to go for? I was thinking satiny, semi-gloss semi-matt stuff.
Help greatly appreciated!

Thanks, happy painting!

~Bill

 

[james sequeira]

matt varnish if you dont like what dullcoat does

 

[Avelorn]

Is it for gaming? I usually don\'t varnish my minis. Vallejo has both matt, satin and gloss varnish.. I suggest you try them all!

 

[tidoco2222]

Dull coat is fine I varnished Sauron from LOTR in dull coat and he looks fine, I would suggest if it is for gaming that you gloss varnish it first and then matt on top, the gloss has a hrder finish which will withstand the rigours of gaming and the matt will tone it doe to look good too.

 

[penguin]

Hmm... thanks for your advice. he is not for gaming, he is adisplay piece, but I wouldn\'t want to chip him on the way to GD! Dullcote on my other metals looks fine, but as I have said i think the effect of shiny metals would be harmed on this model. I\'m off to test.... :idea:

 

[Avelorn]

Well.. You shouldn\'t have to chip him if you pack him safely. Of course that is an entire science..

 

[krom1415]

Humbrol enamel satin, brush on varnish works very well. You can use dullcote over the top as well on the bits you need matt, but you would need brush on testors dullcote for that. Hope that helps Penguin.

One point just check to make sure the varnish does not react with your paints, its fine for GW and foundry, make sure they are dry first though.

 

[Dragon Forge Design]

If hes for competiton dont seal them at all.. if you take proper care in clean up applying primer and painting..plus proper packageing for transportation chipping the paint wont be a issue. Plus its easy to bring a brush and a few pots of metallics with you to GD to do a repair if a chip happens.

I wrap my miniatures in a soft cloth and then pack them in foam or bubble wrap and then in a good box. Ive traveled over seas by plane, the taken tranes to get to Brimingham with out a scratch or chip.. so you should be able to do it to. Biggest thing is pack it and then dont take it out till you get there.. dont keep taking it out to show people.. thats how things get chipped, scratched or worse yet broken.

 

[generulpoleaxe]

after seeing how miniatures were getting handled by the judges at conflict north, i would dull coat them.

miniatures knocked over/picked up in an ape like fashion with no part of there hand touching the base!

and one of these was a golden demon judge.

 

[Neil H]

If its for competition purposes I wouldn\'t varnish it at all. All the figures I have commissioned & bought from Matt Parkes including GD winners never see a coat of varnish! It definately takes something off the original finish.
Best of luck.
Neil