Gloss or matt varnish... which do you prefer?

[Harry Faversham]

Dawn of wargaming, nobody varnished because we all painted our warriors with gloss paint. Then came matt paint, varnishes to suit every taste. Then came the Guilder Golden Age, man sized miniatures wearing two coats off gloss varnish, over their uniforms and equipment. Sanity returned and everybody used matt, or satin actually, because Humbrol matt always dried shiny. Now we've come full circle, and anything seen on a wargame figure with the suspicion of a sheen, is treat with the horror a garlic bulb is by Count Dracula!
So wot say the brethren... gloss or matt?

[Westfalia Chris]

Steady that caseshot, young master Faversham, and please contain the discussion to this thread since it is on the most appropriate board (i.e. no crossposting).

Personally, I'm usually content with a gloss artists acrylic varnish ("Hobbyline" brand) which I paint on by brush. It dries nicely to a hard and clear finish, with only a slight sheen which actually is quite nice to my taste.

[Harry Faversham]

Oops, sorry Sir, got a bit carried away when I spotted the fox. I kind of wanted a broad spectrum of opinions, and finished up getting you mods on overtime, thanks for sorting me out!

[zenbadger]

I love the look of old school miniatures gloss painted but because so many people say "eurgh! gloss!" I tend to put a satin finish on my Spencer Smiths and a matt finish on modern sculpts.

[Michi]

I tend to matt varnishing by brush for skin and clothes, but have occasionally used gloss varnish for certain effects (polished metal, liquids, gems, etc.).

[6milPhil]

I use gloss enamel varnish on mini's, and then spray matt on top, purely to protect them.

Generally if something is shiny I use a gloss, otherwise matt all the way.

[Sinewgrab]

I tend to use a coat of gloss as it is harder and more protective, and then dull that down with a matte spray coat - and touch up bits like patent leather, metal, and goggles with a spot of gloss over the matte to 'reshine' them.

[Silent Invader]

I use Revell brush-on, which is spirit-based.  At least one coat of gloss to protect and then enough matt to dull it back.

[Nord]

Neither. Don't varnish my minis.

[snitcythedog]

I tend to use both on the same model.  Gloss protects better and hides any decals that might be there so my first coat is always gloss.  Then I use a matt coat to tone it down, deaden the shiny and bring back the natural colours.  That is just me since I tend to be hard on my models and hate touching them up later.
Snitchy sends.

[warlord frod]

Much to the dismay of most of my gaming friends I have Glossed my work since the beginning.  I use Rustoleum gloss spray varnish. It brings out the color, is in keeping with the days when I used gloss enamels and I find that over time the dull just enough with use.  I have found that to be the best protection for my work. Only draw back is it makes closeup pictures a little tricky. 

[harleyface]

Gloss spray for protection
Satin spray next to get a finish i like

[cram]

Gloss varnish for protection followed by matt varnish. I brush my varnish on to avoid the disasters that you can sometimes get using sprays. I use Daler Rowney as it gives a lovely flat finish!

[Connectamabob]

Even coat of gloss to seal and protect, then follow with brushed-on matt, satin, and other effects. Specularity and surface diffraction are as important as color in getting the illusion of reality right, so doing even all over coats are for when you're just trying to get stuff on the table. If you're trying to make things look more real and "alive", either for exhibition or just personal pride/ambition purposes, you gotta give your specularities the same attention you would your colors.

[Youngster]

Have only ever used matt.
Cheers
Paul