I've never used miniature varnishes, but I think I should, especially as I've found some of my models to lose paint at an alarming rate (especially ones based on plastic military miniatures).
1) Should I use a paint-on or a spray varnish?
2) what's a good one? Vallejo, GW, etc? Also, what's a cheap one? I don't have that much money right now...
1) I'd always go with a paint on varnish - I'm not a fan of spray on ones unless I'm varnishing big things like tanks.
2) Of all the ones I've used, I've found Humbrol varnishes to be the best. I use the matt varnish over most of the model, then gloss for lenses/visors and other shiny things and satin varnish for metallic areas. Not sure how cheap/expensive they are though...
Humbrol, ok - think thats the main thing they sell in my local model train/military miniature shop.
If you have the time it would be quite nice if you could show the different effects on different types of models, maybe a how to guide? As I'd be interested in how they turn out in term os doing my own. I've been put off by seeing lots of overly 'shiny' miniatures in the past (though obviously not Daves)
Rob
I personally use a combination of spray and paint on varnishes, but then my figures receive several coats at varying points.
For a standard inquisitor figure I normally do:
basecoat
body colour
detail work
matt varnish (spray)
weathering
matt varnish (spray)
gloss varnish on lenses etc. (painted)
That said, my vehicles have an extra step/layer:
After doing the main paintwork I spray them with gloss varnish, then apply decals and pannel line shading using a thinned oil paint rather than a wash. Then they get a matt varnish and the weathering etc.
Personally, I prefer Testor's spray varnishes. They run about $8.00 USD for a spray can that lasts for freaking ever - about 3x longer than the 2x larger GW can (which is also 2x more expensive). I invariably use a combination of matte and gloss, final coat being matte. I then use paint on GW gloss varnish for anything that needs to be shiny.
I use mostly Citadel Purity Seal, sprayed on all over. For gaming minis, this is usually more than adequate. I also use Army Painter Matt Varnish spray for models that really need a matt finish, although I often apply it over a Purity Seal base. I've just bought my first can of Testor's Dullcote but haven't tried it out yet.
I have brush on gloss and matt varnish, but rarely use the latter and reserve the former for special effects on display models: drooling tongues, lenses etc.
R.