Varnish 101

[lb483]

I am new to this forum and returning to modelling after many decades away. Back then I just built models and painted them with a brush and was generally happy with life :-)

However I'm now trying to do things properly and have a question about varnish, which I see is recommended to give models some extra longevity.

My question is - does the varnish have to match the paint finish (matt on matt, gloss on gloss) to give the original finish for the model? If not, doesn't this change the expected finish of the model - if I varnished it all in gloss, for example? Or, do I varnish in the intended finish but paint the model solely in matt, for example? If the varnish finish gives the final finish, does the paint finish matter?

Sorry if this is a daft question. Thanks.

[Jim R]

Hi Peter
Welcome to the best modelling forum on the net.
There's no such thing as a daft question - only daft answers :thumb2:
Varnish on models serves a few different jobs. It certainly gives a final look. Matt on a tank, maybe satin on a plane and probably gloss on a race car. The paint finish before the varnish could be anything. As an example. Paint your tank with Matt paint, then gloss varnish to put on the decals and then matt varnish to seal in the decals and give a finished look. Simplified but you can see how it goes. Varnish can also act as a protective/isolating layer between different painting/weathering processes.
Read through some builds on here and you'll get an idea of when different varnishes are used.
The main thing is have a go and enjoy the hobby.
Jim

[Ian M]

Welcome Peter.
You can use gloss over Matt and vis versa. In fact if I want a gloss red, or yellow finish I often paint in Matt the gloss clear coat to get a shiny finish.

[lb483]

Thanks both; great feedback. I'll definitely look at some of the build posts for some in-depth information.

[scottie3158]

Peter,
Welcome to the forum. The others have answered your questions so there is nothing I can add. One thing you might try is use an old build or buy something really cheap and test on that. I have an old build I use it all the time for testing washes etc before working on the build in hand.

[Tim Marlow]

Welcome from me as well Peter.

[Guest]

I have an old build I use it all the time for testing washes etc

[Mark1]

Welcome Peter,I'm sure you'll get all the help and advice you need here.

[lb483]

Peter,
Welcome to the forum. The others have answered your questions so there is nothing I can add. One thing you might try is use an old build or buy something really cheap and test on that. I have an old build I use it all the time for testing washes etc before working on the build in hand.

Yeah I've been using some abandoned models for developing my airbrush technique so I can extend that to trying different finishes, etc.

[Steve Jones]

Remember if you want to use pigments for dust or mud effects they dont like a gloss finish. Thats why you find armour modellers use Matt varnish (Except when adding decals when they use Gloss varnish and then Matt once the decals have fully dried)

[lb483]

Remember if you want to use pigments for dust or mud effects they dont like a gloss finish. Thats why you find armour modellers use Matt varnish (Except when adding decals when they use Gloss varnish and then Matt once the decals have fully dried)

So no varnish over the weathering, then?

[eddiesolo]

So no varnish over the weathering, then?

You can use varnish over weathering details if, you are using pigments, powders etc and a pigment fixer the pigments will lose some vibrancy.

The sub wreck I made has various coats from spray paint, sponge work acrylics and rust pigment. This model has not had a seal coat and it has stood up to the test of time really well, it must a good few years old now. Comes off the shelf and gets a dust and it copes just fine.

Now, the support Tiger is a RC 1/16 and this had a coat of varnish as it is handled and also has decals so don't want them wearing and the pigments rubbing off.

I use gloss, normally just a bottle and brush on for the decal area, then finish with a matt varnish to seal.

[Steve Jones]

So no varnish over the weathering, then?

It dulls all the weathering that you have done. However there are those who like to do it.

I certainly do layers of pigments followed by matt varnish to build up effects. However once the pigment work is complete I would carry on with oil work and weathering to enhance the pigments

[adt70hk]

Remember if you want to use pigments for dust or mud effects they dont like a gloss finish. Thats why you find armour modellers use Matt varnish (Except when adding decals when they use Gloss varnish and then Matt once the decals have fully dried)

Steve

Out of interest what are they over satin varnish?

ATB.

Andrew

[Steve Jones]

Out of interest what are they over satin varnish?

Not tried to be honest. I would imagine Satin is a smooth finish like Gloss. Pigments really like a rough finish to adhere too which a Matt varnish gives you.