Help with Washes!!!!!

My washes are usually 80-20 or 90-10, depending on what I am trying to do. I do recommend applying a glosscote and letting that dry for 24 hours before applying the wash. The glossy finish helps the wash move around the seams and panel lines of a vehicle.

As for T-55 dioramas, do a search on Google for T-55's or for Operation Iraqi Freedom and you should be able to find plenty of ideas. I have lost count of the number of photos that I have saved. HTH.

I don't use acrylic paint for washes, but I do it like this; I put about a pipette of mineral spirits in a pop cap or other container. Then I put a little dab of oil paint of the appropriate color near the container and use a small, old brush and dip the paint into the mineral spirits and mix until I like the color/thinness. Then I dab with the same brush on the details I wanted surrounded by the wash. I agree with Erik about putting on a gloss coat first and letting it dry completely.

I tried John Plzaks way in the July 2003 issue of FSM and was pretty pleased with it.

I use oil paints for washes.

Just my preference.

I mix a solution of oil based thinners and oil paint (I don't remember the ratio, I mix until it looks right on some scrap). Then I apply it all over the vehicle.

I use the cap off a milk jug as my container. I just fill it full of water(Acrylic paint only) and and a few drops of whatever color you want your wash to be.

Thanks, those answers really solved a lot of problems.

By the way my T-55 is the soviet model so its a little late to do an Iraq one but I do want to build an Iraqi T-55 some where along the line.

Thanks again the ratios really help!