Since I got Star Wars Imperial Assault for Christmas, I got into painting for the first time in my life.

I did not know and still don't know much about painting. I was guided by some people at my local board game store about painting.

I used Citadel primer and have been using Citadel paint for all of my painting needs. Multiple people at my local board game store assured me that I don't need to waste my money on an Acrylic Finisher as Citadel paint is high quality and will last for a long time.

I just want to double check with the community I can skip getting a finisher.

Do you mean a varnish for protection? I use a matte varnish on all my stuff I paint. Except when I want a shine on say, boots. For that I use a gloss varnish. I wouldn't skip varnishing your paint job. My two cents...

I would definitely NOT skip the finisher. It prevents your paint from chipping, and that is a big deal. You don't want to have to go back and repaint portions of your figures because they've fallen on the ground or bounced against each other when you're carrying them.

By the way, you don't need a lot of the finisher on your figures. I usually use less finisher on a figure than I do with the primer...you want to cover the figure, but not smother it. I've painted a lot of my figures and I still have lots of finisher left in the can.

Varnish is essential for metal models and unnecessary for hard plastic styrene models. Imperial Assault, like most boardgames, has 'soft plastic' PVC models. These hold paint fairly well, but not as good as styrene. My experience is that tjey do not need varnish, provided that:

- you paint over some good primer

- you use proper acrylic figure/model paints like Citadel, Vallejo, Army Painter etc.

- you use a proper storage/transport solution, like foam miniature transport cases

- you are reasonably gentle with them during gameplay (dont throw them around, fiddle with them in your hand, move them around with greasy pizza hands etc)

I adhere to all of the aboveand have no problems, other than the paint rubbing off the bases slightly. But then again, my bases are just bare black primer, so that's to be expected. I touch them up ftom time to time.

Why wouldn't you varnish your miniatures after painting? They become much more durable.

I would highly recommend spraying your minatures with a good quality varnish such as Testors dullcote (which I use for all my models). I use to reject varnish as a waste of cash but after I was forced to repeatedly touch up the paint chips I decided that i was probably worthwhile. I use 2-3 sprays of Testors dullcote which protects the paint and gives a really nce finish.

Varnish also helps even out the sheen of different paints, creating a homogenous matte look. Some inks and washes tend to dry glossy, and can ruin the look of the figure.

Can you please recommend a product to use?

Can you please recommend a product to use?

I was thinking of going to my local Home Depot or Canadian Tire to pickup a product but I am not sure if what they have there is suitable.

Maybe this is better? Vallejo Matt Model Color Varnish - http://www.amazon.ca/Vallejo-Matt-Model-Color-Varnish/dp/B000PH9JPA

I recommended Testor's Dullcote in my previous post . It is also an aerosol which I find is better to use than brush-on varnish. Haven't tried the Vallejo so I wouldn't know what to expect.

+1 vote for Testors Dullcote 1260. I have minis that have been coated years ago in 1260 that haven't chipped. I would always recommend using a varnish of some type on any minis you paint that you care about. Usually, I use a really light coat of a brush-on varnish and then spray with 1260. The advantage is overall coverage protection with the brush-on and then the Dullcote takes all the shine down.

Can you please recommend a product to use?

I was thinking of going to my local Home Depot or Canadian Tire to pickup a product but I am not sure if what they have there is suitable.

Maybe this is better? Vallejo Matt Model Color Varnish - http://www.amazon.ca/Vallejo-Matt-Model-Color-Varnish/dp/B000PH9JPA

I used to spray coat, but too often got a bad experience with it. Now I use the one mentioned here, and am really happy about it. It takes a bit longer to coat than spray, but I'm not dependent on weather or anything. I usually give the model some of the gloss varnish first on the most exposed areas - face, shoulders, elbows, anything protruding or where I imagine I would grab the figure to move it. Then cover the whole model in matte varnish. Well worth it imo.

I also use testor's dullcote to great effect. However, I also have some Liquitex matte varnish that I use as well. That one is brush on. Take your choice.

Brush on is a good choice for when you are wanting to varnish in humid conditions. Humidity and spray varnishing do not mix.

If you can't spray for whatever reason, I've found Liquitex's varnishes to be great; I use matt for almost everything except Imperial armour/boots/big eyes which get a high gloss.

It should be added that there are many more cost effective sealers than those produced by the miniature game companies. I buy all of my sealer from michales (a craft store) krylon Matt sealer, (the one with the paint brushes on the can). It's 1/2 the cost befor you apply the usual 40% off coupon and its just as good. Michaels also sells testers dull coat.

Personally I feel citadel, pp &army painter primers and sealer to be way too expensive.

It should be added that there are many more cost effective sealers than those produced by the miniature game companies. I buy all of my sealer from michales (a craft store) krylon Matt sealer, (the one with the paint brushes on the can). It's 1/2 the cost befor you apply the usual 40% off coupon and its just as good. Michaels also sells testers dull coat.

Personally I feel citadel, pp &army painter primers and sealer to be way too expensive.

I totally agree with bryanc. Buying at art supply places is always more expensive! Go to hardware stores for for general purpose materials. This is coming from an artist/teacher. I tell this to all my students. Krylon products are great. I use the matt spray to finish my minis and it is every bit as good as testers dulcote and it's a bigger can and cost less in the long run. Inexpensive flat black and white spray paint is perfect for priming the figure. I've never had an issue using it on metal, plastic, resin or any other surface. Just make sure the surface is clean and free of any dirt or oily grease. I always use a finish on any small figure that will be handled. It's more about hand oils and dirt that build up on the figure over time and the finish helps protect paint surface. I only put about two light coats on them. Also, you don't need to spend a lot on fancy named paints. If you don't mind doing some mixing, the inexpensive acrylic small bottle paints that are sold at art supply places have decent pigments and will give you all the color you need, including metallics. More paint for less. Good looking minis come from the persons ability to use the paints, not the name on the bottle. Watch tutorials, look closely at others work, practice and in time you will get better. Dive in! Your first minis may not be show winners, but with simple techniques and a little care, they will be respectable on the gaming table. And that's why we play with them!

Good luck!!

Yes and make sure you watch Sorastro's videos which are very helpful to the beginner Imperial Asssault painter. There are a lot of people on this forum who have followed his videos and become great painters in the process. I also learned some interesting tips from them too.

Thank you everyone for your recommendations and comments. I placed an order for Krylon Low Odor Clear Matte Finish Aerosol Spray, 11-Ounce

I think this spray varnish should be enough for a non professional first time painter.

If I apply spray varnish, would I be able to repaint or fix a part if I will need to in the future? Or does it mean that I will not be able to paint anything over varnish?

Matte varnish will accept the paint better than the gloss.

As long as your paint isn't too much of a wash (watery) it should be ok.

You should be able to see how the paint is adhering right away.

If you repaint, remember to revarnish.

If there is a problem, don't freak. Soak the mini in 90% isopropyl alcohol to strip the paint and redo.

Good luck.