I'm relatively new to tile games, and I'm starting to get some chipping/wear on the edges of tiles. Some of this may be from storage, and I'm working on that. But is there anyway to avoid this type of damage due to gameplay? The tiles fit together SOOOO tightly I don't see how to avoid it.

I know some people coat them with a type of varnish.

I know some people coat them with a type of varnish.

I thought about that, but was worried it might make the cardboard bubble or distort, or make the joins even tighter.

I gloss-coat every cardboard piece I get with any game. I started doing this with X-Wing, but now I do it to any game that has cardboard pieces. The best one I've found so far is Rustoleum 2X Coverage. It gives a nice, glossy coat with just one application. Just make sure you let the pieces dry several hours, or overnight, before you flip them to coat the other side.

If you color the edges with a Sharpie or paint marker, it really gives the pieces a less "cardboardy" feel.

ETA: I've never had any problems with bubbles or distortions in any of the pieces I've done this with.

I gloss-coat every cardboard piece I get with any game. I started doing this with X-Wing, but now I do it to any game that has cardboard pieces. The best one I've found so far is Rustoleum 2X Coverage. It gives a nice, glossy coat with just one application. Just make sure you let the pieces dry several hours, or overnight, before you flip them to coat the other side.

If you color the edges with a Sharpie or paint marker, it really gives the pieces a less "cardboardy" feel.

ETA: I've never had any problems with bubbles or distortions in any of the pieces I've done this with.

Silly question... Do you spray the gloss-coat before or after punching the pieces?

After. That way you coat the edges so they are protected from spills. Its kind of a pain, but its worth it. One of my sons managed to spill his soda on my Firefly board. Twice. In the same game. No damage.

I gloss-coat every cardboard piece I get with any game. I started doing this with X-Wing, but now I do it to any game that has cardboard pieces. The best one I've found so far is Rustoleum 2X Coverage. It gives a nice, glossy coat with just one application. Just make sure you let the pieces dry several hours, or overnight, before you flip them to coat the other side.

If you color the edges with a Sharpie or paint marker, it really gives the pieces a less "cardboardy" feel.

ETA: I've never had any problems with bubbles or distortions in any of the pieces I've done this with.

Is this a spray or do you use a brush ?

Spray. Walmart carries it, not sure about other retailers.