[Jace of Ultramar]

Hello,

I'm moving along with my painting and a thought occurred just occurred concerning varnish and basing. Is it better to varnish first and then base or base the mini and the spray the varnish? Also, what varnish is best for acrylics like the Citadel paints?

 

[Magpie_Oz]

I do everything then "varnish" as the final step.

I use a Tamiya Matt, Semi-gloss or Gloss spray lacquer as my final coat. It is simply superb and makes a HUGE difference to the final look of the mini.

 

[Jace of Ultramar]

So, you varnish the basing? Does that effect static grass? If so, how? Also, I'm just curious to know if the basing materials, for example the new Citadel basing textures, to an already varnished base.

 

[Magpie_Oz]

It's not bothered the static grass on the Vargheists I did recently. The thing is, with the Tamiya sprays the coat you put on is so thin it makes no difference to the material itself.

Those texture paints will go over just about anything I'd reckon, they are so thick !

It would only be a problem on a glossy finish base and if you're worried just give it a light sand.

 

[Jace of Ultramar]

Ok, I'll look and see if the local Hobby Town has the Tamiya Matt varnish. Thanks!

 

[The Son of Horus]

I wouldn't spray anything over static grass- I'd spray your varnish first, and then glue the grass on afterwards.

 

[Jace of Ultramar]

I wouldn't spray anything over static grass- I'd spray your varnish first, and then glue the grass on afterwards.

Ok, easily done. I didn't think varnish and static grass would mix too much. I'm just curious as to how well glue will stick to a surface with varnish on it.

 

[VaUgHaNy86]

I tend to base everything first, and I prefer to use the paint on varnishes, just can't get on with the spray varnishes at all, I have glued to varnished bases before and it seemed to take ok, but if your concerned it should be easy enough just to rough up the area you want to glue to first with a needle file or a blade before you glue to it

 

[Djinn24]

I'm a huge fan of mid paint varnish so normally I have sprayed 5 or 6 varnish coats before I finish painting then will base and varnish it again. Like TSoH said, static grass after though. Everything else is fair game. I would watch out on water as well since you normally want it to be shiney.

 

[Carsen]

I do everything then "varnish" as the final step.

I use a Tamiya Matt, Semi-gloss or Gloss spray lacquer as my final coat. It is simply superb and makes a HUGE difference to the final look of the mini.

Is there a possibility for you to post a with/without pictures?
I've never varnished any of my minis... yet...

 

[Magpie_Oz]

I've got some coming up in the next couple of days that I will be final coating. Thing is tho' the effect is very subtle in photos not sure how much you'll be able to see.