Mig Filters. What Is Their Purpose?

Glad to be able to help yo, Carl.

As far as detailing, I can't think of anything that you wouldn't be able to find if you use the "Search" feature. What are you trying to detail? Type it into the Search box and you should be able to find something on it.

Look for my name, and that of people like wbill76 for at least two posters who consistently do pretty in-depth WIPs on armor. There are many more as well.

doogs and doog (you guys are kidding . . . right?)

Thanks for your assistance.  You both helped a great deal.

doog, I took a good look at the link.  That's some excellent work.  You also answered another question I had regarding using pigments on still wet paint.  Looked great!

I great super info from this site, but was wondering if there is a reference for detailing you would recommend for armor.

Thanks again, folks!

Carl

Alright, here's what you need to know;

MIG filters are basically super-thin washes of color formulated for certain base colors. They are diluted in a special thinner base that is very similar to, if not, enamel. As such, when they appear "dry", they can actually still be manipulated for some time afterward, allowing you to re-examine and judge your model's weathering over a longer period. I also feel that the carrier's consistency and properties allow for a more subtle dispersion than using regular thinner, in my experience.

They are designed to be applied patiently, in layers, and can subtly alter a whole base coat, or only parts of wherever you desire.

In reality, you CAN do the same general effect by using artist's oils, but the long drying time of the MIG stuff is its selling point if you know how to use them well.

Check out THIS page to see how using filters affected the finish of my Sdffz. This model was in Finescale Modeler a few months ago, and the article should still be available in a back issue. Notice how it toned down what some thought was a pretty radical, "artsy" camo job.

Disclaimer - I'm not an expert, and I've only started playing with filters on my last few kits, but my understanding:

- A filter is a kind of wash. Thinner than a wash you'd run into panel lines.

- A filter is meant to be applied over the entire vehicle

- The wash overlays a basically transparent color on top of the paint scheme, decals, etc, providing a very slight shift in overall coloration.

- The wash reduces jarring contrast (too-vivid decals, too-contrasty camoflage, etc), since the very thin coloration, while subtle, kind of ties everything together.

As far as Mig filters? I think they're too expensive when artist oils and Mona Lisa odorless thinner can do a better job (I like the way oils perform for this) for a much better value (since a tube of oil will last far longer).

I filtered this P-47 with Winton & Newton raw umber heavily thinned with ML odorless thinner: