How to Varnish Warhammer 40,000 Miniatures (Spray vs Brush-On)

Varnishing is the last job on a miniature and the one most painters rush. A good coat protects edges, highlights and metallics from handling, dice and transport, and it evens out the patchy sheen that different paints leave behind. Done badly, it can cloud or yellow a finished model, so a little care goes a long way.

The short answer: wait at least 24 hours after your last paint layer, then apply two or three thin coats of a water-based varnish, either sprayed from 25–30 cm on a dry, mild day or brushed on like a thin glaze. Use a gloss coat first for toughness if the model will be handled a lot, then a matt or satin coat on top for the final look.

Spray, brush-on or airbrush varnish?

Method Speed Control Main risk Best for
Aerosol spray Very fast Low Frosting in damp or cold air Whole squads at once
Brush-on Slow High Pooling in recesses Single characters, mixed finishes
Airbrush Fast High Needs kit and cleaning Regular painters with an airbrush

Do I actually need to varnish my miniatures?

If the models will be played with, transported or handled, yes. Acrylic paint is thin and wears off raised edges surprisingly quickly, and metallics rub off faster than anything else. Display-only pieces that never leave the shelf can go without, but most painters varnish everything for peace of mind.

How long should paint dry before varnishing?

Give it at least 24 hours, longer if you finished with thick washes, technical texture paints or heavy layers. Paint that feels dry to the touch can still be releasing moisture, and trapping it under varnish is one of the main causes of a cloudy finish.

How do I spray varnish without problems?

Shake the can for a full minute, spray outdoors or in a well-ventilated space, and hold it 25–30 cm away while moving it steadily past the model. Start and stop spraying off to the side, and use several light passes rather than one wet coat. Avoid damp, cold or very hot days, as humidity is the classic cause of frosting.

How do I brush on varnish neatly?

Use a soft, clean brush you keep only for varnish, and apply it thinly like a glaze. Watch the recesses, because varnish pools there and dries shiny or milky. If it collects, draw the excess off with a damp brush before it starts to set. Our guide to thinning paints explains the consistency to look for.

Why use gloss first and matt second?

Gloss varnishes tend to be harder and more durable, while matt varnishes contain flattening agents that make them slightly softer. A gloss base coat gives tough protection, and a thin matt or satin coat on top removes the shine. It's a common method for gaming armies that get handled every week.

How many coats of varnish should I use?

Two or three thin coats is the usual sweet spot. One coat can miss edges, while too many soften detail and increase the risk of cloudiness. Let each coat dry fully before the next, following the drying time on the bottle or can.

Will varnish change my colours?

It can slightly. Gloss deepens and saturates colours, matt can make dark colours look a touch lighter or chalkier, and metallics lose some sparkle under matt. Test on a spare model or painted card first. See gloss, satin or matt varnish for how each finish behaves.

Should I varnish before or after basing?

Varnish after the base is finished, then add static grass, tufts and snow effects on top. Varnish can flatten grass and turn snow effects grey, so those go on last. Our guide to basing miniatures covers the full order.

What if my varnish goes cloudy or frosted?

Don't panic and don't strip the model straight away. A thin coat of gloss varnish over the haze often clears it, after which you can matt it down again. Our step-by-step guide to fixing frosted varnish covers every fix.

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