Dear DipIt,
I finally finished a miniature I was really proud of and sealed it with varnish… and now it looks cloudy and dusty. Did I ruin it? Is there any way to fix this?
— Panicked Painter
Hi, Panicked Painter. I can feel your pain from here. If you just varnished your miniature and it suddenly looks cloudy, frosted, or dusty, panicking is understandable. You did everything right; you put so much care and so many hours into painting your model and then… you feel like it’s ruined.
Take a deep breath. It’s going to be okay. Put the mini down for a moment; it’s not going anywhere. Cloudy varnish is one of the most common miniature painting problems out there — and in many cases, it’s fixable.
In this first instalment of Dear DipIt: Fix My Mini, let’s walk through what’s going on with cloudy vanish and what to do next.
What You’re Seeing
If your varnish (glossy, satin, or matt) went cloudy, the surface of your miniature usually looks like one or more of these:
- A white or grey frosted haze on the model
- A dusty or chalky film, especially in recesses
- A miniature that looks muted or desaturated
- Cloudiness or fogginess that appears as the varnish dries
It can be subtle and only in spots or under certain light, or it can be dramatic – affecting the entire miniature. Either way, it’s frustrating. And no, it doesn’t mean you ruined the model.
Why Varnish Turns Cloudy
Cloudy varnish usually comes down to moisture and conditions, not necessarily skill. Here are the most common causes:
1. Humidity
High humidity is the biggest culprit. Moisture gets trapped in the varnish as it dries, creating the frosted effect.
2. Spraying too much at once
Heavy coats of varnish trap moisture and dry unevenly, especially in recesses.
3. Cold temperatures
Cold air slows drying and increases condensation; it’s a recipe for cloudiness.
4. Shaking issues
Varnish contains various components essential for correct curing, so regardless of whether you’re using gloss, matt, or satin varnish, all require proper shaking and/or mixing before application. Otherwise, the varnish might dry unevenly.
5. Uneven application
Applying the varnish as a mist or from too far from the model can result in a grainy, uneven surface that desaturates the model.
Weird-looking varnish can also be a result of applying it before your paint is fully dried.
How to Fix Cloudy Varnish
Let’s start with the easiest option first.
Quick Fix - Try This First
- Apply a thin coat of gloss or satin varnish over the cloudy areas.
Gloss or satin varnish often reactivates the cloudy layer and allows trapped moisture to escape. Let it dry fully. If the cloudiness disappears, you can reapply matt varnish later.
Remember, you aren’t limited to spraying on varnish with an aerosol can. You can use a brush to apply it by hand or spray on varnish with an airbrush.
This fix often works.
If It’s Still Cloudy, Try This
- Move the miniature to a warm, dry space
- Let it sit for several hours (or overnight)
- Then apply a very light, controlled coat of gloss varnish
Sometimes the cloudiness fades on its own once moisture fully evaporates. The key is putting it somewhere it can thoroughly dry and walking away. (Watched miniatures don’t dry, that’s just facts).
After That…
If the above techniques don’t work, you can try a couple of other home remedies such as applying olive oil, letting it dry, and then reapplying varnish. If the surface feels gritty, you can try warm water and gentle abrasion with a microfibre cloth, letting it dry, and then reapplying varnish.
As far as removing only the varnish, it’s hard to remove varnish without affecting the paint underneath. We wish we had another answer, but that’s just chemistry.
While it is no fun to walk away from a mini, sometimes all we can do is take the lessons we learned and apply it to the next model. The next one will be better because of this one.
How to Prevent Cloudy Varnish Next Time
A few small habits make a big difference:
- Make sure your miniature is totally, completely dry before applying varnish
- Varnish in low humidity whenever possible
- Avoid cold environments
- Use light, multiple passes instead of one heavy coat - you want to apply thin layers in a fast burst so the layer stays wet enough to be able to cure as an even layer
- Shake varnish thoroughly (for longer than you think)
- Try the varnish on test model first
If environmental conditions feel wrong, it’s okay to wait. Varnish rewards patience. We have a guide to help you varnish like a pro!
DipIt’s Final Take
Cloudy varnish is frustrating because it happens at the very end, when you just want to be done and protect the work and artistry you’ve put into your miniature. But it’s not a judgment on your painting skills; it’s often just chemistry and temperature having a moment.
You’ve got this.
Tools That Can Help
Good tools won’t replace good habits, but they can make them easier. Using reliable varnishes and applying them in controlled conditions makes a huge difference.
The Army Painter’s varnishes are formulated for miniatures and give you consistent results when applied in thin, even coats. Having both gloss and matte options on hand is especially useful – gloss can often rescue cloudy finishes before you seal everything down again.
