Varnishes

[EricW43]

I have a question regarding varnishes.
My experience has been from building wooden sailing ships but two years ago I began plastic model kits (WW1 planes in 1/32 scale from WingNut Wings). To protect enamel paints and acrylic paints on plastic models, I have been using an acrylic dull coat from polyscale. Many modelers have had success using lacquer based dull coats but due to lacquer being a "hot" solvent, I have always opted to apply an acrylic flatcoat. Modelers of plastic kits have also coated surfaces with Future Floor Wax before applying washes and decals and after these applications we then apply a dull coat.

Now I purchased my first two miniatures. A 54mm from Shenandoah Minaitures and a 100mm from Mihcael Roberts Ltd. Today I applied Vallejo Gray Primer and I am letting it setup for 24 hours. Yes, I did wash the white metal parts and scrub them in warm soapy dish water and then allowed them to air dry.

Once I am completed with painting the minaiture, I would like to ask what you suggest what dull coat/varnish to be applied to the miniature? Can I use the Polyscale dull coat that I used previously or should I avoid using it? One other question I have is how would you protect painted parts that you would want to have a satin, gloss look or inks to them when you are spraying the entire figure once it is completed with this dull coat varnish? For example: If I painted a leather item in black and then applied a satin varnish to it, how would I still attain this appearance becasue once finished with the painting of the miniature, you then dull coat it?

I apologize for many questions and I hope my writing is comprehensible
I have alot of prctice ahead of me using Vallejo acrylics and techniques used to achieve the desired effects.

Have fun and thank you for your time,

Eric

 

[Helm]

Personally I've never used a varnish as a final coat and I have models that are some 30 years old and look fine,main thing is to keep them out of the sunlight I think

Steve

 

[housecarl]

Hello Eric. I've never had the need to varnish, but with the notorious Vallejo shiners.
Blues, reds, yellows and greens I put a touch of Tamiya X21 flat base in to the mix.
Just enough to turn the water slightly cloudy, anymore and you'll get a chalky residue.
Carl.

 

[Einion]

Once I am completed with painting the minaiture, I would like to ask what you suggest what dull coat/varnish to be applied to the miniature?

The question to ask yourself is probably does it need to be flatcoated? Generally it's something to avoid unless necessary, e.g. if a dark blue you just painted ended up glossier than you intended. Otherwise, try to aim for the paint to dry to the finish you want as much as poss.

One other question I have is how would you protect painted parts that you would want to have a satin, gloss look or inks to them when you are spraying the entire figure once it is completed with this dull coat varnish?

Paint them after, or use a liquid mask of some kind.

Alternatively, you can matt varnish the whole thing then go back in with a brush and apply satin and/or gloss coat of some kind selectively where it's needed.

Einion

 

[FigureLover]

Hi Eric and welcome to the world of figures. I used to use varnishes religously as like you, did (and still do) aircraft but as time has gone on, I use them less and less on my figures. The main reason that I did use them was to protect the painting that I had done before doing any washes or painting another section of the kit. I mainly use oils and once they have dried they are very hardy and really dont need the varnish to protect them. I now only use a varnish in an airbrush if I need to give a certain sheen or matt texture to a certain part of the figure, such as matt for the clothing or semi gloss for a horse or silk material. The only time I commonly use a varnish is gloss on the eyes as the last thing I do on a kit. Hope this helps.
By the way, I use Model Master brand
Good luck,
Ben

 

[EricW43]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my questions. I appreciate it and it has been helpful!

Eric