How to Varnish with your Airbrush - HC 367

[@sergei5879]

Not many people knows, but that highlight on Vincent's head that you can see in video is actually carefully painted to give the best perception of dimension. ;)

[@zergstirfry]

You king lolololol

[@B3RG3RS0N]

Buahahahaha Love it😂

[@AsteroidTVGaming]

6 years from painting my first saurus I owe the most lessons to your channel, thanks again Vince

[@ME-hm7zm]

For gaming minis, my final varnishing is done in two steps - first is gloss (which is left to dry), then matte. This gives me a matte appearance and also will reveal the gloss as the matte wears down, letting me know it needs a touch-up.

[@jeepgun]

Last night was I was trying to find a good KZbin video on varnishing with an airbrush and I was disappointed that our boy Vince wasn’t showing up, first thing this morning and here he is with the exact video I was hoping for.

[@Baleandor]

I am literally setting up gunpla parts to varnish with my air brush for the first time! You're always on point, Vinny!

[@Jauphrey]

Good luck!! I've been painting gunpla for like...7 years now and I'm still excited to finish my Epyon this month. :D What model are you painting?

[@chriswilson6591]

Vince you are a legend! "why in the world are you scratching your miniature with your finger nail? Stop that, don't do that!" the best sentence i have heard when listening to varnishing tips.

[@duxbellorum01]

Great video good sir. One thing to remember about all finishes is that they’re gloss until the matting medium, often silicates, are added to diffuse the light. This means satin, matte and ultra matte varnishes need to be shaken well to disperse those particles evenly. Thanks again for the awesome content, Vince!

[@michigan_joe]

Vince is a national treasure and must be protected at all costs

[@padrespeaks]

Quite easily the best product Vince recommended that I regularly use is AKs Ultramatte Varnish. It knocks absolutely ALL the shine off models I paint. This has been especially indispensable as I paint a lot more with ink glazes (which I also learned from Vince) and has given me the result I've been most happy with. Keep up the good work, Vince!

[@Cannibalsnax]

Another +1 for AKs Ultramatte. That stuff is. amazing.

[@shadeofheresy]

The 'few drops of thinner first', advice is one of the best ever. Just started airbrushing and this was a game changer. I do the same with paint as well and it seems to really help. Really informative video.

[@darthkek1953]

Harder & Steinbeck are doing lots of airbrush tutorials and that's his (Warwick) thing too. Lots of thinner in, and thinner in first. Keep the nozzle lubed.

[@shadeofheresy]

Yeah seen a few of his videos. Love seeing that from the company that make them. @@darthkek1953

[@wonderboy2402]

I come back to this video every time I varnish. Such a great overview, the best.

[@russelmoody4613]

Perfect timing, I've been look looking for resources on airbrush varnishing this week!

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad I could help!

[@IanGerritsen]

I used my old cheap starter airbrush to varnish after getting a good one (two... So far). It noticeably got worse for a while, but then stayed pretty stable. It had one last lesson to teach me before it's service ended and it could retire.

[@Diabolous187]

Was about to varnish with airbrush for the first time. Thank's for the tips very much appreciated !

[@TradeScope_App]

This dude is a national treasure

[@Jonas_Fox]

Lot of great tips. I was wondering about metallics getting dull from varnish. Thanks Vince.

[@Strigon_Actual]

Came here looking for varnish tips as I'm finishing up my Custodes only for Vince to tell me not to bother varnishing them. It's a win!

[@mirage3rd]

Coming back to the hobby after many years, thank you for explaining the ins and outs of varnishes which did not exist a “few” years ago.

[@Wijkert]

I have all my Vallejo varnishes premixed with 25% airbrush thinner to 75% varnish. AK's are thinned enough to not need any thinner. Would do the same if I mixed up any custom mixes like Vince suggested. Makes it easier to add a couple more drops to the cup when I need just a little more.

[@xommul79]

My new go to video on varnishing

[@puntedagain398]

Great video! I had such anxiety the first time I varnished through my airbrush. I was so worried I was going to have spent hours cleaning up the airbrush. But of course, it turned out fine and super easy and useful. I am a fan of matte varnishing metal for iron jawz weapons, and then going back in and making just the edge of the weapon more gloss with a highlight. I think it kinda gives them an old beaten up and neglected look while the edge still looks sharp.

[@prickswithstix1113]

“Most others are Garbage”! That says it all!!! Great video. I just love these basic videos. You always share something I forgot or a tip/trick that always helps!!

[@Wijkert]

I find that varnishes are very useful to protect zenithal highlight made with white ink (any airbrushed layers tend to be more fragile, but inks even more so). Painting over them with something like a premade wash or a contrast paint will more easily activated the fragile ink layer otherwise.

[@christopherheintz2634]

If you're comfortable or curious to try some different paint chemistries, Try Tamiya white, xf-2. It works really well. I thin it 50/50 with some lacquer thinner and it goes on thin and smooth. If you're already having to apply ink and then varnish, it won't be too much worse to use some Tamiya and clean with a touch of lacquer thinner.

[@hotrodpunk]

You can add some drops of varnish to your ink when airbrushing it to make it stronger and kill any gloss finish.

[@Wijkert]

@@christopherheintz2634 Definitely a fan of trying out new stuff. Have used a white ink for a good while now and with very good results. Will probably stick with what I am happy with. Also have seen the Tamiya white used by the Cult of Paint guys and have to say I was not impressed by the result (more speckly than I would be happy with). Could be the user and not the product of course. Also bought a very big bottle of white ink that price/ml is almost 1/3 of the 30 ml bottles; such good value.

[@chappy4756]

this is a great tip - I do this also with my Valhallans and the zenithaled Liquidtex white ink initial coats - some varnish and no paint/ink peeling when I start shading and washing

[@he-manhunter8933]

@@chappy4756 This is an excellent advice, thanks! About how much varnish compared to the ink do you use?

[@shankley_has_a_brush]

I really love the fomoroid crusher model.

[@paulausten5786]

I was just thinking about this. I knew you could put it through the airbrush, just wasn’t sure about thinner, now I know. Thanks Vince.

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad I could help!

[@leonardodosvinci4130]

Varnish as a savepoint, genius, thanks Vince. I think I need to be on your Patreon, ill get on that.

[@AlexanderGiraldez]

Thanks Vince. For my current project I’m trying the oil wash method and since I’m using some brown speed paints I need to seal the model before the wash step. This is perfect timing for me.

[@M0U53B41T]

I love when you answer a question I have before even the end of the video! (Mixing two types of varnishes for protection and the effect) I'd like to add those of us who still like to work with metal minis (sorry Vince :P), this is really really really good as well. Multiple coats for protection and for the save point. Same with resin actually, which I have found needs the varnish even before priming, to help seal it, and multitple times throughout painting.

[@wasteyelo1]

Vince, you are like what Barry Harris is to Jazz - you always have the solution.

[@chrisbarrett1006]

Nice job on the explanations of using the different cleat coats.

[@the_elder_medium]

Thanks for going over the clean up for after using varnish. That's what has been stopping me from using it through mine.

[@Sir_Lucious]

This video came just in time. I just ordered some AK Interactive Ultra Matte.

[@Hushai1979]

This was so helpful, Vince… Varnishing has always been a hardship with me. you make my artwork go to a greater level… thank you Your friend from Aiken South Carolina.👍🇺🇸

[@MentoliptusBanko]

Thanks for the advise Vince! Especially for the thinner and matt-satin mix

[@willr700]

Literally the best varnishing tutorial on youtube. Looking forward to your other tutorials.

[@VinceVenturella]

Thanks! there are many in the playlist and always many more to come. :)

[@mayduke59]

Great video, I've been struggling with varnishes through rattle cans, I've been thinking about using the air brush

[@LegionaireSiggi]

Once again, I can trust the Technomancer to have a video on what I'm curious about, thanks Vince!

[@clinodev]

Great topic! I looked this up a while back and there wasn't a lot directly about it!

[@Buggbutler]

Literally the exact video I was going to look up today

[@mathiaskaati9505]

Thanks Vince! Just the info i was looking for, explained perfectly.

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it was helpful!

[@boelens15080]

Awesome video!!! Have watched multiple videos on airbrush and varnishing and yours is by far the best!! Thank you

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it was helpful!

[@markhickson1066]

I've always been worried about using a final coat of varnish. Now I'll give it a try on a few test pieces, thanks.

[@gavin_is_gavin6292]

took a long break, so haven't watched your videos in a while, and man the quality has improved dramatically! Great job man

[@VinceVenturella]

Welcome back!

[@Vennnaya]

Its worth noting that the mix of matte/Satin/Glossy might be a consideration when consdiering SCALE. For example, a normal 3cm mini from GW you're going to want a matte finish because if they're shiny from where you're standing from (a few hundred feet up in the air, relative to the mini) then their armour must surely be chrome. Meanwhile a large 20cm statuette for example, you might consider doing a more satin or glossy finish if you're doing a shiny surface like armour.

[@CMDR_BananenKeks]

I love to use gloss to let things appear wet... like tongues. Thanks for the chrome idea

[@isisnmagic1812]

I getting ready to buy my first airbrush kit so all 5his is good to know before I take that leap, great video as always Vince.

[@Wijkert]

One maybe useful addition to this video is a note on airbrushed versus brushed on varnish. The airbrushed option creates very even layers, wile brushing it on can pool in de recesses creating artifacts like the frosting or whitening like you mentioned.

[@madMARTYNmarsh1981]

Nice one, cheers, Vince. I ruined a model trying to varnish it with my airbrush so I haven't done it since but I'll give it a try again while applying your advice.

[@shenkyeirambo5601]

my main issue with matte varnish is that it always turned my blacks grey and the shadows are lighter than i want them to be. i prefer satin as it shows me the colour as i want it, and the minor shine i get doesn't bother me and often looks nice. i've mainly used liquitex varnishes but i've gotten the same thing from various spray cans. it's possible i've applied it wrong. that being said i typically don't varnish my miniatures because i've never felt the need to aside from pewter models, resin models, and display pieces i don't want damaged. i still have 20 year old miniatures from my childhood with their first coats of paint and brush-on primers that haven't worn away or chipped after use last point, while varnish definitely does help, as far as i'm aware the protective difference between the finishes are almost negligible because we're talking about microns of layer thickness or smaller so personally i choose a varnish by intent and finish

[@ssreeser95]

As a primarily tabletop painter, I usually just gloss varnish my Necrons and satin varnish all my other models, rarely using matte except on natural terrain. Sometimes I'll brush on gloss on metallics to shine it up. You didn't get into brands in this video but I have had some good results using Liquitex's acrylic varnishes. I'm starting to experiment with painting display so I may try and play around with a better varnish mix.

[@Weaver1812]

Nice video bud. Thanks for teaching me

[@Wijkert]

Have found that water based varnishes are easier to clean compared to almost any paint the acceptation being paint that is thinned way down. Certainly easier to clean compared to any airbrush primer. So dear comment section reader, don't worry about messing up your airbrush like Vince mentioned in this video.

[@MorrowindES17]

Thank you for explaining this just got into painting miniatures was on sure on washes and varnishes.

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Carbide-1]

Very helpful for a newb like me, cheers fella!

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad to help

[@thomasholliday2708]

I've been wishing for this video since the recent primer video. Hopefully I'll bite the bullet soon and just start varnishing stuff.

[@BF-rn3oz]

Such a good explanation. Thank you VV

[@officialraylong]

Thanks, Vince! This was the content I needed today when working on Rotigus. Thanks for the tips on ratios. For me, I like 3:1 matt:gloss with some airbrush thinner and a bit of flow improver.

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Jauphrey]

Was just wondering about a good matte varnish (running low on my last). Man Vince, it's like you're in our minds or something. Great video as always, and I learned why some of my glossed areas look like crap in the process! Haha.

[@chaoticpainting1507]

I'm glad you explained this process... it's nice getting tidbits like this from the pro's who have years of experience doing this stuff. I actually varnished a mini i am working on simply because I got a new bottle and wanted to try out the varnish lol. When it dried it was glossy and I was like wtf, maybe the bottle was mislabeled? Come to find out, I didn't shake it long enough 🤦🏼‍♂so I shook the shit outta it and varnished it again, got a nice matte finish, which was nice. I always make mistakes, so it was nice having that save point, as you put it, to have the ability to flood it and wipe it with your brush to clean stuff up. You should definitly make a video about metallic paints, and which one's are the best. I've noticed I don't like GW, they're garbage but Vallejo and Pro Acryl work ok for me. Now I feel like im rambling, thanks for sharing man! I always like watching your stuff. 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@VinceVenturella]

Thanks! This is the most recent video i've done on that subject - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep6pmaCinrV4gpo

[@theenigmaticgamer]

Thanks for a very helpful and informative video. I have always had reservations on using my airbrush to varnish, but now I am much clearer on how to do it.

[@Baatosanabe]

I always learn so much from you! Thank you so much.

[@Justin_black_leviathan]

I love the AK ultra matte

[@benstephenson8988]

Love your videos, I have learned so much from them. keep us the greatness my man

[@VinceVenturella]

You got it!

[@MariusKramer]

Thank you for that video! I‘ve got the Matt varnish from ak and was not so happy with that, so I bought the ultra Matt … that‘s cool, but sometimes to Matt 😅 Now I can use both…. I was up to threw the Matt away

[@Matt-km1ek]

Absolutely love every time I see you post a new hobby cheating video. You’re the best

[@andersmichelsen5740]

Excellent and useful tutorial

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you liked it :)

[@macavitymacavity126]

This video I needed. Thx Vince

[@TheRealDruss]

Well, I still love my proxy 'nids with the final gloss varnish for that lovely chitin sheen, even if Vince thinks they are garbage XD

[@darthkek1953]

It's only garbage if you're trying to do something different as a look. If you want your chitin shiny, go for it. Same applies to blood (especially puddles of it), lots of various types of Nurgle gloop, water sections on the base, etc., or any bare-chested fighter can glisten because of sweat.

[@NerdLIfe-Skirmish71]

I used the Testors Dullcote for years and it can get a bit expensive. I switched to the AK Ultra Matte through the airbrush and that stuff works great. A few years back I could not find it anywhere so I gambled on the the Liquitex Matte Varnish. It is actually really good sprayed through the airbrush, comparable with the Dullcotte. When put on with a brush not so good, a bit of a gloss left behind.

[@VinceVenturella]

Good to know!

[@markgnepper5636]

Great stuff friend 👏 👍

[@BB-pf2cs]

Your comment got me excited for the next video on metallic paints 🤣👌🏼

[@Abominus69]

Hi, I have AK Ultra Matt Varnish and I’m surprised that everyone always seems to recommend it. I find it significantly dulls colours and the model loses lots of pop. As a result, other people who don’t paint minis have also questioned what paint brand I use as ‘they are not very vibrant.’ I’ve tried mixing it with satin varnish, but even at 50:50 the model still comes out so dull. I guess I have to keep experimenting with ratios...

[@VinceVenturella]

Well, the key with the gloss varnish is it's going to make a fairly flat even base coat look better, because the color will read more true and it will create depth (highlights and shadows as it tightens the reflections to your eye). However, if you have placed highlights, if your paint is telling a light story, then you want it to be as matte as possible, because you are already telling the story of the light.

[@nameisbad]

I've got some GSW varnishes coming that I plan to use for my varnishing (my AK ultra matt has some little bits in it now and then and I don't want it to block anything). So should be interesting to see how they performing. I now wish I had gotten some satin, I only grabbed gloss and matt. Oh! Talking of airbrushing, why on earth did my vallejo metal color gold which airbrushed beautifully end up turning silver overnight???? hahaha. I mean it looks good it's just, not gold so I'm really confused. As ever, love your videos vince, you are a gem in & to the community.

[@VinceVenturella]

I have no idea on the gold, it might not have been shaken enough, very strange.

[@1989eol]

I have never experienced any problem with my rattle can varnish from Vallejo. I always use Satin Varnish on my minis. My painting game isn't where my control over finish beats the even look of that satin varnish. I tend to take the varnished look into account, when I paint fast. Still. Just today I varnished during a heavy rain shower. I was under a roof, but 0 problems. I varnished at 35°C and also at -5°C. Any humidity. No problems.

[@HigleyTown]

This video is solid! Thanks

[@sean3870]

Very, very helpful. Thank you!

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it was helpful!

[@iisjah]

Hhaha exactly when I wanted to try airbrushing varnish :D Thank you so much!

[@VinceVenturella]

My pleasure 😊

[@braddraper2013]

Great video and information !

[@VinceVenturella]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@jakessofa8187]

hit like at the start, pro tip Might have to try the old mix with satin, I have the standard Matte from AK, but I assume it will still be sweet I actually don't mind adding a little varnish over the metallics, just to knock the shine back a touch, but only on the first base layer. Found it made the following highlights stand out better (I can see Vince's Pai Mei look of disgust)

[@VinceVenturella]

Yeah, even their matte isn't super matte, but it's okay. :)

[@Streetsam]

Thank you for advice! :)

[@theezekarion164]

DON'T SCRATCH UR MINATURES! "Vince-Y Vee" Has Spoken. Thank U Vince For The Video Truly Appreciated

[@SeerIbarelyknowher]

This is a good-ass video Vince. A good-ass video indeed!

[@tomekhekin914]

Please update your video about different paints. It is 4 years old and a lot have changed since but it it's still my go to video for miniature paints.

[@VinceVenturella]

There will be a new one this year. :)

[@adammotter]

Tried to use my airbrush for the first time to do this last weekend. Got the Army Painter Air version, with the understanding it's ready to use out of the bottle. Had the few drops of thinner first, and added the varnish, but immediately had flow/clog issues and even trying to add a little more thinner and mixing didn't help. My cheap starter brush (broke it trying to clean and need to replace it) came with a 0.3mm tip. Do I need to go up to a 0.5? Do I need to thin the varnish more? I messaged AP and they are sending me a new bottle. Just looking to avoid this next attempt and open to ideas.

[@VinceVenturella]

That nozzle should be fine, I would think it might have just been a bad bottle, the other option is the nozzle was already blocked or obstructed in some way and this was exascerbating the issue.

[@High_Lord_Of_Terra]

Using ak ultra matte for the first time was like discovering nuln oil all over again. It's the secret sauce.

[@docbun]

Thank you, Vince. As far as durability goes, I have to ask: how do you store & transport your minis? I remember your showing how to create a "metal shelf" with magnetized minis stuck to it - is that your main answer? For board games, in general storage is proposed either in the plastic inserts that are thermo-formed to stick to the mini's shape (that one problably means no problem?) or in bags or small boxes inside the game box, game box that then gets into trunks, carried in public transportation, etc, till it reaches a table to play, then the same on the way back. I am still learning what that kind of "treatment" of the minis requires as far as durability of varnish goes. I'd prefer not to have to store each and every board game miniature I own (and have painted - not, definitely not all of them ;) on a custom-made metal shelf with magnets in the minis. But I'm not sure what I have to do to keep them relatively safe. What are your thoughts on this? (Notes: I am not willingly scratching my minis, or throwing them off to the ground or anything that crazy. Well, most of them, anyway. 😀 )

[@VinceVenturella]

I transport them on metal racks with magnets. The board game thing is a challenge, but I would probably do the same, just in a small box or something.

[@Izzyspaintingworkshop]

Great video as always!

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@ThePelacanyes]

Very interesting, thanks!

[@VinceVenturella]

My pleasure!

[@benweinberg3819]

Another great comprehensive topic! I haven't seen it the comments here, but I've been hearing conflicting messages from my painting friends on this lately--when airbrushing varnish over inks, namely artist acrylic ones like a white zenithal, do you find it's better to do it soon after the airbrushing or wait for the layers to cure/dry over many days? Context is, I've always had trouble with inks reactivating even after a couple days of waiting and some light heat treatment to help cure. Not spraying too thick or too far away, and sometimes even with a varnish layer after all that, so wondering if a sooner varnish would help it "bond" with the inks?

[@VinceVenturella]

I wouldn't try to work wet on wet like that, if you're going that direction you would just mix in the varnish directly, otherwise, let it cure for at least a 1/2 hour to an hour.

[@LorrusGrymn]

I do apply varnish on my metallic because I have to. I use oil washes on my metallics, which look bad if I want to achieve a shiny effect. I use Alclad Aqua Gloss for that purpose. Alclad II are paints that I prefer if I'm airbrushing metallics and want to achieve a shiny metal effect. As for the other non-metallic things. I relly like Vallejo Prreally Satin Varnish. This satin varnish is much less glossy than the other satin varnishes I used.

[@Rich-in6ds]

This was super helpful, thank you! I do have a question: you said to not varnish after metallics and just do the matte bits first. What if you’re painting Necrons, priming metallic but then brush painting in some matte paints for armour plates etc? Would you just brush on some varnish then? And if so, how much would you thin it?

[@VinceVenturella]

I just wouldn’t varnish them. :)

[@WattaYog]

My question is: why mix satin with matte and do 2 coats instead of doing 1 satin or gloss coat for protection followed by 1 matte coat of choice for preferred finish? Thanks for a wonderful video! This is perfect for me as I have been looking at starting Airbrushing mostly to help with priming and varnishing.

[@VinceVenturella]

With the mixture, I can make sure everything is more evenly applied and see it all at once over the matte surface, without any shine obscuring the evenness of the application.

[@Ulrican414]

I have been varnishing with my airbrush ever since I've gotten it two years ago and never blocked anything. Just do as Vince says and clean it after using. Don't let anything dry in there.

[@jeffanctil4857]

Love your vids Vince! I'd say keep up the good work but I already know you will. lol

[@System-Update]

Really useful, thanks.

[@gallusdomesticuskfptechpriest]

A really thin oil wash (with lots of odourless mineral spirits) gives a great finish imo. That's been my last step for most of my minis, and it's never done me wrong. Well, except for the time I added way too much linseed oil, leaving my chaos dark apostle VERY shiny. Oops

[@borischivapallottole]

Super useful tutorial, thanks man! I have one question: what pressure do you set your compressor on when applying varnish? For example I normally airbrush at 25psi, but I was wondering if it would be better to increase it up a little bit for spraying varnish

[@VinceVenturella]

Same as always, 18-20 PSI, no need to move it really.

[@And-c7n]

Great topic thank you

[@vidi5086]

Mant thanks for your video 👍

[@VinceVenturella]

My pleasure!

[@skycat51]

Thanks for all your very helpful videos! Does the varnish mix you create offer the same utility as a gloss varnish for decals and oil wash applications?

[@VinceVenturella]

As your final varnish to even it all out, yes. But not as a replacement for gloss, there I just use Gloss, then I use my mix over the top.

[@skycat51]

@@VinceVenturella thank you!

[@codemaster6521]

Matt - skin Satin - armor/fabric Gloss - metal