Am new to Airfix modelling, and had a few questions about the most appropriate varnishes for realism, particularly in aircraft of different eras. I would assume that a matt varnish would achieve the most realistic finish for something like a WWII Spitfire. However, there are parts such as the undercarriage that are painted using metallic paint - what would be the most appropriate varnish to use on metallic paint? I have heard one view that it is best not to use varnish at all on metallic paint, as it "spoils the metallic effect", but metallic paint is used extensively to paint a Mustang for example - surely some kind of varnish would be used to finish the model, rather than just leaving the paint as it is? Moving forward in time, were more modern aircraft finished with a gloss coating (e.g. to minimise air resistance as compared to matt paint), and would a gloss varnish finish therefore be more appropriate for certain types of aircraft?
