Varnishes are designed to protect the detailed paintwork we invest so much time in applying to our models. There is a wide variety of varnish products available to choose from. You’ll find options categorized by a) the delivery mechanism (brush-on, airbrush, or aerosol can) and b) the sheen level or finish (gloss, semi-gloss, satin, and matte).
My purpose of this comparison was to find the best matte (commonly called matt in British English) finish from an airbrush-applied varnish. I chose three matte varnishes and one satin varnish as a kind of control.
- INSTAR Paints – Varnish+
- Green Stuff Word – Matt Varnish (1745)
- Vallejo – Airbrush Matt Varnish (62.062)
- Mig AMMO – Lucky Satin Varnish
Why I chose these options
I understand that many have a preference for shiny miniatures, but I am not among their ranks. So, for a good majority of my paint jobs, I opt for a matte finish. I chose an airbrush product because I’ve had bad experiences with brush-on varnishes, though I admit that it’s likely due to my technique. And while aerosol cans do provide convenience, getting more use and expertise with my airbrush has a greater appeal.
INSTAR Paints – Varnish+
First up is a product from INSTAR Paints, a UK-based company known for its “Primaries” kit that can teach a painter how to create any color from only a set of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, and White paint bottles.
They say about this product: “Super matte…it’s not just a protective coating, Varnish+ doubles up as a Matte medium too providing a smoother painting experience while removing some of the shine from the paint of your choice.”
Shown below are the test subjects. As the company claims, the results show only the faintest light reflection. And the painting experience was smooth, but I didn’t feel any difference from the other brands, as they all sprayed well.
Green Stuff Word – Matt Varnish (1745)
Next is Green Stuff World’s Matt Varnish. I picked this up on a whim from my favorite online gaming store, Mighty Lancer Games. The final sheen was significantly more reflective than the previous products, only marginally less so than the satin (see below). Not my favorite.
Vallejo – Airbrush Matt Varnish (62.062)
Vallejo’s Airbrush Matt Varnish is shown on the models below. Vallejo being who they are, there isn’t much I need to say about such an industry giant. It is important to note that they carry both airbrush and non-airbrush paints and varnishes. I’ve specifically tested the airbrush variety for this comparison. This is by far the most matte finish of the group, with almost zero light reflection visible. I’m quite pleased with how this turned out and will likely need to buy a much larger bottle!
Mig AMMO – Lucky Satin Varnish
Now we take a look at a satin finish, as a comparison to the matte options: Mig AMMO’s Lucky varnish. Satin varnish has a sheen but is not too glossy, and shows a distinct finish from the others in this comparison. The subtle sheen actually works well on the Merrow and Chthon due to these creatures’ “wet” nature.
I’ve found the most use for this satin varnish as an initial coat to a matte layer, or to seal down an ink so that it doesn’t bleed into upper layers of paint. I have read that glossier varnishes provide greater durability, though it is something I have yet to test. A matte layer on top of the satin provides just the tiniest hint of sheen that I find appealing.
To summarize the findings, here are the rankings from most matte to most shiny.
- Vallejo – Airbrush Matt Varnish (62.062)
- INSTAR Paints – Varnish+
- Green Stuff World – Matt Varnish (1745)
- Mig AMMO – Lucky Satin Varnish
Preferences vary, so the varnish I like best may differ from the result you want on your miniature’s paint job. Also, I’m not brave enough to try any sort of durability test on these, but I’m going to assume that a coat or two of any of the above products should protect a paint job enough for standard tabletop play.
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