Washes

Mike there was a pretty good article in the July 2003 FSM about weathering an M1. Same could apply to your ZSU. Some modelers prefer a coat of future first then weathering with washes. I pretty much use only acrylics anymore, so I'm not sure if you can damage your enamels with a wash. Sorry, I'm still a newbie of sorts on washes myself.

Like tigerman I use acrylics and "Future" first but I think using Future will protect your enamel from most wash techniques.

Mike,
you have to use a wash that uses a different type of thinner than your base paint.
so i think you would be ok w/ acrylic, artist water colors or oils.
do a search on the forum for wash info, there has been a great deal of it over the last year or so.

I am new as to washes. However I use both enamels and acrilycs for base coats( not at the same time or kit) but I am using artist oils you should be able to pick these up at your LHS, they are in tubes ,the colors I am using are burnt sienna and raw umber mix at a 2 to 1 ratio with a turpentine substitude called Turpenoid, it is odorless and works great. As stated above spray the kit in a gloss coat which helps the wash settle in the nooks and creveses and brush on your wash more heavy as you go down the kit, or if you really want it dirty forget thr gloss coat and just brush the wash on. Flat coats seem to suck it up like a sponge. And always test the wash on a spot not visaible, draw back to this is if you have decals you will need to apply a gloss coat so they do not
" Silver". hope this helps and good luck.

Thanks for all the info. I will try the acrylics with the future floor wax as a sealant. What is preferred to thin the acrylics, water or some type of alcohol? Does rubbbing alcohol work?

Mike

yes alcohol does work with tamiya paintsnot sure about others or you could use the thinner of the brand of paint you have.

Make sure the decals go on first, as these should be discoloured by the wash along with everything else.

Matt

I use distilled water with Model Master Acryl's and alcohol with Tamiya paints.