Best Color to Accent Panel Lines with Sludge Wash

Hey whitey,
When I do my wash, I prefer to use Polly Scales "scale black". Its not to grey and its not to black. AH h*ll, dark grey would work just as well
The way I go about thinning it down w/ distilled water and dish soap, when applied it is lighter. But as you apply more and more coats, it will darken as you go along.

Hey nsclcctl,
Would you think this will help out?? I have been using this method for about 6yrs and the results are awesome.
Below are the steps that will(can) help you apply the "Smudge Wash" for your panel lines,details and the like.
1. Make sure your a/c has a gloss coating(or semi gloss) on her inorder for this method to work. You can go ahead and put you decals on before you apply the wash. Basically you kill two birds w/ one stone. (No birds injured in the typing of this post)
Putting on the gloss coat(or semi) also helps to protect the under lying colour so the wash method wont harm the painted surface.
2. I use a mixture of water based paint thinned w/ distilled water(you can also add a lil dish detergent). I prefer to use "scale black" when I go to high light.
3. Using a fine artist brush, start applying the wash over the panels and other surface detail that you see fit(including landing gear)
4. Let the wash dry for about 5 minutes or so then go back over the affected areas w/ a soft moist cloth or Q-Tip.
5. You can always reapply this method as many times as you would like or up until you get the look that you want.
6. Once all is said and done, spary a flat coat so it can protect the wash and the decals.
The color that you use for the wash also can depend on the color(s) that you use for the a/cs scheme.
In general though "scale" black or a dark gray would work out perfectly in any scheme that you would use.
This sounds like theres a lot to do but it really aint nothing to lose sleep over . If I can do it, so can you my friend.
If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me at
Falcon174th@aol.com or Falcon42177@yahoo.com
Flaps up, Mike

This is exact;y my experience with washes. I don't care what the ratios and what you apply it on, future or what-ever, they don't come off for me and leave a mess. That is why I keep asking for an absolutely concise post.

Thanks Tankbuster...

I was talking with Ed last night and he suggested using graphite rubbed into the lines also.

I guess I should have added this to the above post! I used black water based poster board paint.

I built this aircraft about a year ago. Unfortunately my little terminator got his hands on it and now it's history. I high-lighted my P-51 using a mixture of dish washing soap, water and good ol' school chalk. I shaved the chalk with a razor blade then just ground it to a powder.

I can't give mixing ratios because I just mixed it until I got the consistency I wanted. I used a paint brush to brush it on, let it get to a damp dry state, then wiped it off. The chalk helps bring out the lines. Just gently wipe off the excess with a soft cloth until you get the desired out come you are loking for.

Hope this helps.

OK...just tried the sludge wash with dark gray....with the Stang having Alclad II Aluminum to begin with. This will be on a PSP base- so the underside won't be seen really. So I applied the wash to the underside- and it really didn't come off all that well. I used what I though was enough soap...but what I am wondering is if just the Alclad wasn't enough?? I didn't add clear gloss to my finish because I have read everywhere that Alclad needs nothing else to it...so what now?? Should I just do a regular wet wash and wipe it off right away?? I want to highlight the topside panel lines....but don't want the residue that is currently on the underside...

I would say maybe a dark grey?? I am about to do this myself and am wondering if black is too much?? I am anxious to hear other's views of this...