How to seal and protect your painted miniatures

How to Seal and Protect Your Painted Miniatures: A Complete Guide

You've just spent hours carefully painting your miniature, perfecting every detail, and now you want to make sure it stays in pristine condition. Sealing and protecting your painted miniatures is a crucial step in preserving your hard work and ensuring your models remain vibrant and damage-free for years to come. But don’t worry—it’s not complicated! In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps, common mistakes to avoid, and the best products to use to seal your miniatures.

Let’s dive in!

Why Should You Seal Your Miniatures?

Sealing painted miniatures is essential for a few reasons:

• Protection from handling: When gaming or displaying your miniatures, they’ll inevitably be handled. A good sealant protects your paint job from chipping, smudging, or wearing away.

• UV protection: Over time, exposure to sunlight can cause colors to fade. Sealing your miniatures protects the paint from harmful UV rays.

• Durability: Sealing makes your models more durable and helps them withstand the occasional bump or drop.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned painter, sealing is a step you don’t want to skip!

What You’ll Need to Seal Your Miniatures

Here’s a quick list of the supplies you'll need:

1. Varnish or Sealant: There are a few types, and we'll cover which one to use depending on the finish you want.

2. Spray Varnish or Brush-on Varnish: Both have their pros and cons, and we'll discuss when to use each.

3. Protective Mask: If you're using a spray varnish, it's important to protect yourself from fumes.

4. Gloves: Keeping your hands clean while handling your miniatures helps avoid accidental fingerprints or smudges on your paintwork.

Types of Varnishes: Which One to Use?

Choosing the right varnish can make a big difference in how your miniature looks after sealing. There are three main types:

1. Matte Varnish
   This is the most popular choice for most miniatures because it gives your models a non-reflective, realistic finish. Matte varnish helps reduce the shine that acrylic paints can sometimes leave behind, making your miniatures look more natural.

2. Gloss Varnish
   Gloss varnish creates a shiny, reflective finish. It’s great for models where you want to emphasize metallic or wet surfaces, but for most miniatures, you’ll want to use it sparingly. Some hobbyists use gloss varnish as a protective base layer before applying a matte finish to ensure extra durability.

3. Satin Varnish
   Satin varnish offers a middle ground between matte and gloss. It’s not as shiny as gloss but still leaves a slight sheen. It’s a good option for models where you want a little bit of shine without going overboard.

Pro Tip: Some hobbyists apply a gloss varnish first to ensure durability and follow it up with a matte or satin varnish to control the finish. This "double layer" approach adds extra protection, especially for miniatures that will see a lot of handling.

How to Seal Your Miniatures: Step-by-Step

Now that you know the basics, let’s walk through the sealing process.

1. Choose the Right Environment

One of the most common mistakes people make is sealing miniatures in the wrong conditions. Humidity and temperature can greatly affect how your varnish applies. High humidity can cause a varnish to become cloudy or "frost" your miniatures.

• Ideal Conditions: Seal your miniatures in a dry, warm room (around 65-75°F or 18-24°C). If you’re using spray varnish, make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors or in a garage.

I learned this the hard way on some of my very first miniatures. I was painting up a couple of models known as “war- jacks” for the Game Warmachine and mad the mistake of rushing to apply my matte varnish. I sprayed through my airbrush which I had setup in my garage at the time. It was not very well ventilated and the humidity was cranked up. Needless to say my models looked like one of those cheap dollar store snow globes at the end.

Mistake to Avoid: Don’t spray varnish outside on a rainy or humid day! Even if you’re sheltered, moisture in the air can ruin your finish. It’s also best to avoid spraying in very cold conditions, as the varnish may not dry properly.

2. Apply the Varnish

There are two main ways to apply varnish: spray or brush-on. Both have their advantages depending on your project.

Using Spray Varnish:
Spray varnish is fast, convenient, and provides an even coat over your miniatures.

• How to Use It: Shake the can thoroughly before use. Hold the can about 8-12 inches away from the miniature and spray in short, even bursts. Don’t hold the spray too close, as this can cause the varnish to pool and leave uneven spots. Rotate the miniature to ensure you get all angles.

• Tip: Always start spraying off to the side of the miniature and sweep across to avoid heavy application in one spot.

Using Brush-On Varnish:
If you prefer more control, especially for smaller parts of the model or if you’re working indoors, brush-on varnish is a great option.

• How to Use It: Dip a clean, soft brush into the varnish and apply thin, even coats. Avoid overloading your brush, as too much varnish can fill in fine details. Work in small sections and let each layer dry completely before applying more.

• Tip: Brush-on varnish works best for touch-ups or when you want to avoid the fumes of spray varnish. This is my preferred method as it affords me much more control over how much I apply and to what areas of the model. I find it much less likely that the whole “Frosting” debacle I had the first time around is to repeat itself. See; we are learning already!

Mistake to Avoid: Don’t rush! A common mistake is applying too much varnish at once or not waiting long enough between coats. Always allow each coat to fully dry (usually 20-30 minutes) before adding another layer. Multiple thin coats are better than one thick, heavy coat.

3. Let Your Miniatures Dry Completely

This step is easy to overlook but crucial for ensuring a durable finish. After sealing, let your miniatures dry for at least 24 hours before handling them. If you’ve applied multiple layers, give the varnish extra time to cure. Once fully dried, your miniatures will be ready to handle, game with, or display.

Mistake to Avoid: Don’t rush to handle your miniatures too soon! Varnish might feel dry to the touch, but it needs time to fully cure. Handling the model before it’s completely dry can leave fingerprints or even smudge the paint.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Sealing Miniatures

1. Applying Varnish Too Thickly
   One thick layer might seem like it’ll save time, but it can result in an uneven finish or even obscure fine details on your miniature.

   • Solution: Always apply thin coats and build them up gradually.

2. Not Testing the Varnish First
   Not all varnishes react the same way to every type of paint. Spraying directly on your finished model without testing can lead to disaster.

   • Solution: Always test your varnish on a spare model or piece of sprue first.

3. Varnishing in Poor Conditions
   As mentioned earlier, temperature and humidity matter a lot. Spraying in cold or damp conditions can lead to clouding, known as “frosting.”

   • Solution: Only varnish in a controlled environment where the temperature and humidity are within the ideal range.

4. Not Using Enough Protection
   Sometimes, a single layer of varnish isn’t enough to fully protect your miniatures, especially if they’ll see a lot of use.

   • Solution: Consider applying multiple layers or using a gloss layer for durability followed by a matte or satin layer for the desired finish.

Final Thoughts

Sealing and protecting your painted miniatures is one of the final steps in the painting process, but it’s no less important than any other. By taking the time to seal your models properly, you’re ensuring that your hard work lasts for years to come. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, these tips and tricks will help you avoid common mistakes and get the best possible results. So, next time you finish painting a miniature, take that extra step to seal and protect it—it’s worth it!

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FAQs

1. Can I use any type of varnish to seal my miniatures?
   It’s best to use varnishes specifically designed for miniatures or hobby projects. General-purpose varnishes may work, but they might not offer the same level of protection or finish.

2. How many coats of varnish should I apply?
   Two to three thin coats are usually sufficient. Applying multiple thin layers ensures an even, durable finish without obscuring details.

3. How long should I wait before handling sealed miniatures?
   It’s recommended to wait at least 24 hours after applying varnish to ensure it’s fully cured and dry.