The Army Painter Colour Primer Base Spray: Satin Varnish

Lock In Your Work Before It Hits the Table

Hours of painting can be undone by a single rough game night without a proper sealant. The Army Painter Colour Primer Satin Varnish is a spray-applied protective coat that seals your finished miniatures against the wear and handling of regular tabletop play. The satin finish sits between a flat matte and a high gloss — it adds a subtle, natural sheen that suggests depth without making your models look lacquered or plasticky. It is a strong choice when you want your paintwork protected and presentable without the shine of a gloss coat dominating the final look.

Where It Fits in Your Workflow

Varnish is the last step. Once your base coats, shading, highlights, and basing are done, a sealing spray locks everything in place. The Army Painter's aerosol format makes application fast and even — hold the can at the recommended distance, apply in light sweeping passes, and the coat goes on consistently across an entire batch of models in minutes. Satin varnish also works well as an intermediate coat between gloss (used under washes and decals to prevent the tide-mark effect) and a final matte layer — though used on its own, it delivers a clean protective finish with a soft natural sheen. As with all aerosol matte and satin varnishes, apply in a warm, dry environment and avoid humid conditions, which can cause unwanted frosting on the surface.

Who It's For

Any miniature painter who games with their models needs a sealant — full stop. The Army Painter Satin Varnish is compatible with any miniature range: Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, Warmachine, Hordes, or any other tabletop system. It works over Citadel paints, Vallejo, Scale75, and any other acrylics. New painters finishing their first squad and experienced hobbyists batch-sealing an entire army will both find this a reliable, straightforward addition to the final stage of the painting process.