Adding flock, grass, tufts etc. Before or after varnishing.

[Ingmar]

Hi everyone, I have a question!

I used to flock and add tufts before varnishing, in the hopes of the varnish sealing in the material. When applying this method to my Imperial Guard units, the tufts would regulary get a milky white tint to them - like what happens when you spray too humid or wait too short between applying multiple coats.
This behaviour has made me add flock and tuft after varnishing. However, I find the material sheds quite a lot, even when using industry grade pva glue to apply.. Is there a way  I can get the sealing effect from the varnish, without getting the white cloady finishing?

I'm asking this because I've just finished 4 points of Irish and want the movement tray and basing to match and behave good during gameplay!

[SteveBurt]

Flocking after varnishing tends to leave bits of flock & static grass stuck to the figures.
I generally apply grass first, then varnish the figures.
I don't usually get a problem with stuff shedding, but if I do, I spray the whole base with matte artist's fixative.
That doesn't seem to go milky.

[Hammers]

Hi everyone, I have a question!

I used to flock and add tufts before varnishing, in the hopes of the varnish sealing in the material. When applying this method to my Imperial Guard units, the tufts would regulary get a milky white tint to them - like what happens when you spray too humid or wait too short between applying multiple coats.
This behaviour has made me add flock and tuft after varnishing, however, I find the material sheds quite a lot, even when using industry grade pva glue to apply.. Is there a way  I can get the sealing effect from the varnish, without getting the white cloady finishing?

I'm asking this because I've just finished 4 points of Irish and want the movement tray and basing to match and behave good during gameplay!

I can see no benefit in tufting before sealing.
Use superglue to fasten the tufts. You have to be very determined to see the tufts pulled out after that.

[Plynkes]

Flocking after varnishing tends to leave bits of flock & static grass stuck to the figures.

Never had that happen. Not if you wait until the varnish is dry. On the other hand, I have had problems with using spray varnish after flocking, with little bubbles and lumps of varnish sticking to the tufts and ruining them, to the extent that I had to remove them and do it all again. Ever since that incident static grass and tufts are always the absolute last thing that goes on my figures, and that way works fine for me.

[Silent Invader]

Never had that happen. Not if you wait until the varnish is dry. On the other hand, I have had problems with using spray varnish after flocking, with little bubbles and lumps of varnish sticking to the tufts and ruining them, to the extent that I had to remove them and do it all again. Ever since that incident static grass and tufts are always the absolute last thing that goes on my figures, and that way works fine for me.

Same, except I use brush on varnish.

BTW I don't PVA my flock & tufts to a smooth surface as I first cover with sand fixed with superglue. I guess the irregular surface gives the PVA (which I thin a little) something to grip to.

[soldieroftheline]

I hate flock shedding everywhere and I always seal it with Woodlands Scenics scenic cement.

[warlord frod]

Always apply last using PVA glue and then once that dry I will apply a diluted PVA wash to seal the flock/sand

[mysteriousbill]

Flocking a decorating the base is a waste of time. In small battles and skirmishes the basing will rarely match the terrain anyway. Flock it for grassland, great but the battle is in a city or out on a desert. In big battles you need it bare so you can mark unit designation. Sure you can have different color facings and cuffs, but that only works for a few time periods. I've had a number of mass skirmish battles were I have lost track which troops are which unit. Putting a number or symbol on a painted base helps with that. I do admit seeing some use with the clear bases, but too many of my miniatures are already based to switch over to those.