[model] Varnish

Playa the Monkey was never naughty:
>
> Art shops also sell a clear "dulling" spray.
>
> A gloss varnish usually provides the most durable protection.
> After varnishing, "dull" the reflectivity back down to an acceptable
> level.

Aha! Thanks for that - exactly what I needed to know.

Cheers

Choobs

--
Sir Chewbury Gubbins <choobs RemoveThis @chewbury.net.invalid>
... Blog : http://www.nelefa.org
/|\ Game Diary : http://www.chewbury.net
/ | \ Abu the Monkey was never naughty.
 >> Stay informed about: [model] Varnish 

"Sir Chewbury Gubbins" <chewbury.gubbins.DeleteThis@nelefa.org.invalid> wrote in
message news:5pgatuFqubvuU2@mid.individual.net...
> Greetings! I'm new to Warhammer (and the group, so hopefully the tag is
> right) and have a question about miniature painting.
>
> Basically, I'm doing pretty well with the painting so far, but I'm using
> a matte varnish to finish off (had problems in the past with acrylics
> rubbing off DnD minis with heavy use).
>
> I'm using a standard art-shop spray on light matte varnish but it's
> adding way too much shine to the models.
>
> I much prefer the look of them without varnish, but I'm not sure how
> well the paintjob will stand up to frequent handling. Anyone have any
> advice?
>
> Cheers
>
> Choobs
>
I've found the GW Matte varnish to do pretty well. It seems to actually dull
the metalics a bit even. A couple of coats of light spray and it does fine.
Of course I haven't played with my minis enough to rub off the paint, so I
don't know how well it holds up.
 >> Stay informed about: [model] Varnish 

Hey,

On Nov 8, 9:39 am, "Kevin Milner" <dontspa....TakeThisOut@ihatespam.net> wrote:
> I've found the GW Matte varnish to do pretty well. It seems to actually dull
> the metalics a bit

True. In retrospect I should have outlined the whole procedure:

1. Paint model
2. Varnish model
3. Apply decals/ transfers/ freehand
4. Matte model
5. Regloss bits

There, that's everything. Unless you're entering GD. Then:

6. Spend twice the amount of money and time on an oversize base.


Playa
 >> Stay informed about: [model] Varnish 

"Playa" <hurlgen40k.RemoveThis@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1194544892.935409.248130@v29g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
>
> Hey,
>
> On Nov 8, 9:39 am, "Kevin Milner" <dontspa....RemoveThis@ihatespam.net> wrote:
>> I've found the GW Matte varnish to do pretty well. It seems to actually
>> dull
>> the metalics a bit
>
> True. In retrospect I should have outlined the whole procedure:
>
> 1. Paint model
> 2. Varnish model
> 3. Apply decals/ transfers/ freehand
> 4. Matte model
> 5. Regloss bits
>
> There, that's everything. Unless you're entering GD. Then:
>
> 6. Spend twice the amount of money and time on an oversize base.
>
>
> Playa

You forgot to change #1 to "Paint model using NMM techniques, even though
it's WRONG!!!'

I think the required size ratio of base to model is something like 3:1,
otherwise they think you entered the Youngbloods competition and judge you
accordingly.

drgrbek
 >> Stay informed about: [model] Varnish 

Hey,

On Nov 8, 5:05 pm, Myrmidon <im... RemoveThis @home.com> wrote:
> primering your minis helps greatly with avoiding having
> the paint rub off from handling

Yep. Good catch. This is especially true of vintage models - ie,
lead.
But, handling wears lead models even if they're painted *and* primed.
I can't count the number of times I've seen Bionic Nose Syndrome.
Priming is probably 2x as good as paint alone. Sealing, probably 3x.

But, both techniques together are about 10x as durable on lead figs.

> humidity can make the spray varnish take on a 'frosted' look which I
> don't want), nor do I like the fact that it tends to yellow and discolor
> with age.

It should be noted that 'varnish' is a generic term for any sealer
coat.
Natural varnishes, especially shellacs, should be avoided for this
job.
The "poly" type sealers aren't *as* susceptible to those side-
effects.
But, due to manufacturer quality control and circumstance, ymmv.

Also, varnish isn't the only chemical coating that discolors over time
-
Recently, someone asked, "Why'd you pick a brown paint scheme?"
"Brown!", I laughed. "Brown?" But he was right, I just hadn't
noticed.
It had happened gradually, over the years, but there it was -

The Citadel Beaten Copper I'd used on all my Marines is now brown.

> I never seem to have good results when I try it - but that's just me

Heh, I've had my share of paint and finish mishaps, too. X- S
Ironically, one of these was with Krylon primer.
Two words - Orange. Peel.

[Sigh] It's a good thing I play Chaos . . .


Playa
 >> Stay informed about: [model] Varnish 

In article <5pgknmFrb4fcU1.TakeThisOut@mid.individual.net>,
chewbury.gubbins.TakeThisOut@nelefa.org.invalid says...
> Playa the Monkey was never naughty:
> >
> > Art shops also sell a clear "dulling" spray.
> >
> > A gloss varnish usually provides the most durable protection.
> > After varnishing, "dull" the reflectivity back down to an acceptable
> > level.
>
> Aha! Thanks for that - exactly what I needed to know.
>
> Cheers
>
> Choobs

Are you primering your minis before painting them? If not, you
may find that primering your minis helps greatly with avoiding having
the paint rub off from handling. I'm one of those people that just
doesn't like the whole 'hit or miss' process with varnishing (high
humidity can make the spray varnish take on a 'frosted' look which I
don't want), nor do I like the fact that it tends to yellow and discolor
with age. (And by age I mean a couple decades later unless they're left
in direct sunlight a lot which speeds the aging process and fades the
pigment colors as well.) But I've got a bunch of 40K figures that I've
done with primer and basic acrylic paints, and while there's been a
small bit of wear on the paint jobs of a few (mostly the metal minis) -
they've held up remarkably well over the years of gaming I've done with
them. So, if you haven't been primering your minis before painting
them - try a batch with some primer and acrylic paint without varnish
and see if they hold up better that way. There's nothing wrong with
varnishing your minis - and playa's advice about gloss then matte
varnish coats for better protection is excellent. Personally I never
seem to have good results when I try it - but that's just me.


Hope that helps,

Myrmidon


--
"I'm already impoverished from buying wargames minis,
and I'm too knackered for riotous living..."

-- Moramarth

RGMW FAQ: http://www.rgmw.org
 >> Stay informed about: [model] Varnish 

Myrmidon the Monkey was never naughty:
>
> Hope that helps
> Myrmidon

Certainly does. I'm doing a primer coat of Chaos Black (brush applied,
rather than via aerosol). I'm going to look into the dulling agent
mentioned elsewhere in the thread but, as I greatly prefer the looks of
the models pre-varnishing, it's really just to treat the models which
have been varnished already. New models I'm going to leave naked and see
how they wear. If there are any apparent problems down the line, i can
always varnish then.

Cheers

choobs

--
Sir Chewbury Gubbins <choobs.DeleteThis@chewbury.net.invalid>
... Blog : http://www.nelefa.org
/|\ Game Diary : http://www.chewbury.net
/ | \ Abu the Monkey was never naughty.
 >> Stay informed about: [model] Varnish