Protecting a minifig from wear
This guide here (off-site backup) in the BrickJournal magazine has a section titled &quot;Step Three: Protecting Your New Figure – Application of a clear top coat&quot;. It recommends Future’s floor wax or Badger overcoats and discourages the use of nail polish due to its tendency to yellow when exposed to sunlight.
They suggest applying two layers, each dried with a hair dryer to achieve a smooth, bubble-free surface.
Admittedly, these instructions are for display models, not figures that are going to endure the wear during play or everyday carrying along several keys, but these layers can be reapplied when they are damaged and will protect the figure and its paint while the overcoat is intact.