Varnishing is the final step in painting a miniature — and skipping it is one of the most common mistakes new painters make. A varnish coat seals your paintwork against chipping during handling, transportation, and gaming. Without varnish, even a carefully painted model will start showing wear within weeks of regular gaming use. This guide covers the best varnishes for miniature painting: when to use matte vs satin vs gloss, which products work, and which to avoid.
Quick Pick: Best Varnish for Miniatures
| Pick | Varnish | Type | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meilleur résultat global | Testors Dullcote | Lacquer spray, ultra-matte | Check price → |
| Best Brush-On | Vallejo Matte Varnish | Acrylic brush-on | Check price → |
| Best Spray Acrylic | Army Painter Anti-Shine | Acrylic spray, matte | Check price → |
| Most Matte | AK Interactive Ultra Matt | Acrylic brush-on, extreme matte | Check price → |
| Best Lacquer | Tamiya TS-80 Flat | Lacquer spray, very matte | Check price → |
Matte vs Satin vs Gloss: Which Finish to Use
Matte Varnish
Matte varnish produces a flat, non-reflective finish that makes miniatures look like they have been painted rather than coated in plastic. This is the standard finish for most painted miniatures — it reads naturally under artificial light and does not distract from the paintwork beneath. The vast majority of miniature painters use matte varnish as their final coat. The downside of matte varnishes is that they are slightly less protective than gloss alternatives; the matting agents in matte products reduce the chemical film strength compared to gloss.
Gloss Varnish
Gloss varnish produces a shiny, reflective finish and is the most durable varnish type. It is typically used as an intermediate step before matte varnish — a base coat of gloss provides maximum physical protection, and the final matte coat flattens the shine. This two-stage approach (gloss then matte) is the standard recommendation for gaming miniatures that will be handled frequently. Gloss varnish is also used intentionally on specific surfaces: lenses, liquids, gems, and wet surfaces where a shiny finish is appropriate.
Satin Varnish
Satin sits between matte and gloss — a subtle sheen that reads slightly reflective without being shiny. Satin is a minority preference in miniature painting but works well on certain surfaces (leather, fur, skin) where a fully matte finish looks slightly too dry and a gloss finish is too reflective. Some painters use satin as a final varnish across the whole miniature for a more “lifelike” skin and material appearance.
Lacquer vs Acrylic Varnish
This is the most important technical distinction when choosing a varnish. Lacquer varnishes (Testors Dullcote, Tamiya TS-80) use solvent-based chemistry and produce the most durable protective coat. They also tend to produce the most genuine matte finish. The downside: lacquers require adequate ventilation, cannot be used over oil paints without causing cracking, and require more care around the spray distance and humidity conditions. Acrylic varnishes (Vallejo, Army Painter) are water-based, less fume-intensive, and safer for indoor use without heavy ventilation. Acrylic varnishes are slightly less protective than lacquers and their matte finish is occasionally less flat. For most hobbyists, a good acrylic varnish is perfectly adequate; competition painters and those who want the most durable possible coating often choose lacquer.
Varnish Reviews
1. Testors Dullcote — Best Overall
Testors Dullcote has been the community standard matte varnish for decades and earns that position through consistently flat, reliable results. It is a lacquer-based spray that produces a genuinely flat matte finish without greyish haziness or white patches — the common failure mode of lesser matte varnishes in humid conditions. The trade-off is the smell: Dullcote is solvent-based and requires outdoor use or strong ventilation. Applied at the correct distance (25–30 cm) in normal temperature and humidity conditions, Dullcote dries to a flat, protective coat in 15–20 minutes. It is the go-to recommendation for painters who want the best possible matte finish and do not mind the solvent smell. Available in hobby stores and widely online. Note: Do not apply Dullcote over oil paints or washes — lacquer solvents can react with oil mediums.
2. Vallejo Matte Varnish — Best Brush-On
Vallejo’s brush-on matte varnish is the standard recommendation for painters who want to apply varnish with a brush rather than a spray. Applied thinly with a large flat brush in a single pass (do not over-brush — the varnish will streak if worked too much), it dries to a good matte finish without visible brush marks. Brush-on varnish gives you more control than a spray — useful for protecting individual models from a desk setup without the fumes of a spray. The 18ml dropper bottle is convenient for measured application; the 60ml bottle is better value for painters who varnish frequently. Vallejo Matte is compatible with their entire acrylic paint range and can be thinned with water or their Airbrush Thinner for airbrushing.
3. Army Painter Anti-Shine — Best Acrylic Spray
The Army Painter Anti-Shine is the most popular spray varnish alternative to Testors Dullcote among hobby painters who prefer water-based products. It produces a good matte finish with less chemical smell than lacquer sprays and is safer for indoor use in ventilated spaces. Results can vary slightly with humidity — in very humid conditions, acrylic spray varnishes occasionally produce a slight whitish haziness (called frosting or blush). Applied in dry conditions at the correct distance, Anti-Shine dries flat and protective. For most hobbyists who want a reliable spray varnish without lacquer chemistry, this is the recommendation.
4. AK Interactive Ultra Matt Varnish — Most Matte
AK Interactive’s Ultra Matt produces the flattest matte finish of any brush-on varnish on the market — it is notably more matte than standard Vallejo matte varnish. This is the choice for competition painters who want zero surface sheen on display miniatures. The extreme flatness also makes it useful for specific surfaces: stone, cloth, rough skin textures where any sheen is unwanted. The ultra-matte formula is slightly more fragile than standard varnishes — use a standard gloss or satin varnish first if the model will be handled frequently, and apply the AK Ultra Matt as the final layer.
5. Tamiya TS-80 Clear Flat — Best Lacquer Alternative
Tamiya’s TS-80 is a lacquer-based spray varnish that produces a very flat, durable finish comparable to Testors Dullcote. Many scale modellers and miniature painters use Tamiya as their primary lacquer when Dullcote is unavailable or between restocks. The 100ml can is slightly larger than most hobby varnish sprays. Like all lacquers, it requires ventilation and cannot be applied over oil-based products. Results are consistently flat in normal conditions.
Common Varnish Mistakes
- Varnishing in humid conditions — Spray varnishes in particular are sensitive to humidity above 65%. In humid weather, the varnish can “frost” (turn white/cloudy). Never spray varnish in rainy or humid conditions. If frosting happens, a coat of gloss varnish can sometimes fix it.
- Spraying too close — Hold the can 25–30 cm from the model. Too close causes pooling and loss of detail.
- Mixing lacquer varnish with oil paints — Lacquer solvents will crinkle and destroy oil-painted surfaces. Use acrylic varnish over oil paints.
- Not shaking the can enough — Shake vigorously for 2 minutes minimum. Under-shaking causes uneven delivery.
- Skipping the gloss coat — For gaming miniatures, apply gloss first, then matte. The gloss provides the best physical protection; the matte flattens the finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to varnish miniatures?
If your miniatures will be handled or used in gaming, yes — varnishing is essential. Acrylic paint alone chips easily at contact points and edges. A varnish coat significantly extends the paintwork’s lifespan. Display models that will only be viewed and not handled can get away without varnishing, but it is still good practice.
Should I use gloss or matte varnish?
For gaming miniatures: apply gloss first (maximum protection), then matte as a final coat (flat appearance). For display miniatures: matte only, or gloss on specific surfaces (gems, lenses) with matte everywhere else.
Can I varnish over Contrast or Speedpaints?
Yes — acrylic varnishes work fine over Contrast and Speedpaints. Use acrylic varnish (not lacquer) if you want to be safe. Some painters report that lacquer varnishes can occasionally cause issues with Speedpaints specifically — test on a spare model first before committing.
For the full painting workflow, see our priming guide, best paints guideet brush guide.