Best varnish to preserve metallic effects?

[HandsWithLegs]

I have a thing I'm painting with a lot of metallic effects on it, and because there is some rubbing pieces I need to put a clear varnish coat on it to protect the paint. What kind of varnish works best to preserve the shine of the metal? Satin? Semi-gloss?

[Gederas]

I'd say Satin varnishes, it's what I use on my models, and it seems to not affect metallics at all.

[Maschinenpriester]

I second satin varnish. I use the Vallejo one. It is also usable for airbus if you thin it a bit. Never had issues. Also use it because of metallic.

[Firedrake Cordova]

I've only used the Vallejo varnishes, and only through an airbrush, but spraying them over Vallejo Model Air Chrome (I was spraying a gear stick cover, so did some tests to get the right end result):

• Matt varnish completely removed any metallic effect, rendering it a white-grey
• Gloss varnish retained the metallic appearance, and was obviously shiny
• Satin varnish was somewhere in between the two

If I were doing it again, my first try would be the Vallejo Metal Colour varnish ...

[Lucerne]

What's the best varnish if you don't airbrush?

[sarabando]

What's the best varnish if you don't airbrush?

i like using Vallejo mecha series, gloss coat then a matt coat. I used them before i had an airbrush and i use them now i do. As for the post above yours, once you have done your matt coat you can use a 2nd coat of gloss on metalics, and gems etc to make them shiny again.

[Lucerne]

https://acrylicosvallejo.com/en/product/hobby/mecha-color-en/mecha-gloss-varnish-69701-en/

 

and https://acrylicosvallejo.com/en/product/hobby/mecha-color-en/mecha-matt-varnish-69702-en/

 

?

[sarabando]

https://acrylicosvallejo.com/en/product/hobby/mecha-color-en/mecha-gloss-varnish-69701-en/

 

and https://acrylicosvallejo.com/en/product/hobby/mecha-color-en/mecha-matt-varnish-69702-en/

 

?

thats the stuff but i buy the bigger bottles for better value

[Firedrake Cordova]

As for the post above yours, once you have done your matt coat you can use a 2nd coat of gloss on metalics, and gems etc to make them shiny again.

Indeed - that's exactly what I do, and it works very well! :D

[Lucerne]

 

https://acrylicosvallejo.com/en/product/hobby/mecha-color-en/mecha-gloss-varnish-69701-en/

 

and https://acrylicosvallejo.com/en/product/hobby/mecha-color-en/mecha-matt-varnish-69702-en/

 

?

thats the stuff but i buy the bigger bottles for better value

 

Out of curiosity what about parts of the model that aren't metallic? Do you just paint over the relevant parts with the two-part varnish and follow the relevant varnishing for the other parts?

[Burias-Drak'shal]

I'd use satin so metal looks good and the normal parts don't look too shiny like they would with gloss.

[UtariOnzo]

If the model is primarily metal, gloss varnish really makes it pop. My candy green knights look great with it.

If it's primarily matt colours with metal parts, use satin.