Varnish | Vallejo — protection and finish for your miniatures
The Vallejo Varnish range is the final step to protect, even out and control the shine of your model kits and miniatures. Here you'll find acrylic varnishes (gloss, satin and matte), spray formats for large surfaces and the polyurethane line for maximum mechanical resistance.Which varnish to choose?
- Gloss: ideal before applying washes and decals (improves capillary action and prevents "silvering"). Example: Acrylic Gloss Varnish 26517.
- Satin: a balanced, "all-round" finish. Example: Acrylic Satin Varnish 26519.
- Matte: removes shine for a realistic look. Example: Acrylic Matte Varnish 26518.
- Polyurethane (high resistance): Gloss 72650, Matte 72651, Satin 72652 and Ultra Matte 72653.
- Spray (fast and even): Gloss 28530, Matte 28531 and Satin 28532.
Accessories and auxiliary products that go well with it
- For airbrushing varnish: Airbrush Thinner 71161 and Airbrush Cleaner 71199. If you're going to varnish with an airbrush, check out the airbrushing accessories section.
- For decals (over a gloss coat): Decal Fix 73213 and, if you need it, the softener from the same range in Auxiliary products.
- For dust and grime effects: apply pigments and fix them with Pigment Fixer 26233 before or after the final varnish, depending on the effect.
- For masking and avoiding overspray with spray: masking tape.
- Perfect prep: always start with a good primer.
Quick application guide
- Shake the varnish well. If using an airbrush, do test passes and work in thin coats.
- For washes and decals, first apply a gloss coat and let it cure; then seal with matte or satin.
- With spray: spray from 20–30 cm, in light passes and in a dry/mild environment; avoid over-saturating to prevent blushing.
- Let the varnish cure before handling or moving on to the next step of your project.
Tip: if you're unsure between matte or satin, start with satin and "kill" the shine afterwards with a light coat of matte.