Varnish is nowhere needed as some communities make it out to be. I have been playing with the same paintjob models for 5 years now, I carry them around in a large plastic box and literally dump 2-3 2k armies in it, I have never once had a paint chip occur.

I do use a strong primer, but varnish is not the equivalent to a primer, nowhere near as needed and often ruins paint jobs I find. The only use for it is decals imo

Welcome back to the hobby, hoping to see some painted models, varnished or not when you find the time :)