Oil Washes

I like winsor newton as well. You can avoid the "tooth" that Kenneth spoke of in flat paint by using the Acrylic paint (such as Tamiya). The acrylics offer a smoother finish that doesn't even require a gloss application for water slide decals. Not sure why, but I am sure there's a chemist or a painter out there that can tell us. Oil washes sure do flow better. Acrylic washes always seemed to "blotch" up on me.

My

I do my oil washes over a semi gloss clear with no flat coat when I am done. It adds a wonderful metal sheen to the paint. I think flat paint soaks up the wash too much and full gloss is too slick. Give it a try. The important thing is what looks good to you...

Kenneth

You would definitely want to follow cplchilly's advice and have a layer of future or acrylic between the base coat and the wash, if the base is enamels. Wouldn't want the thinner to eat away at that nice paint job. Personally I do all my washes over flats. The gloss surface doesn't seem to hold the wash as well and it tends to form puddles instead of flowing around the details. The wash I prefer is model MAster acrylic thinned with Model Master acrylic thinner, not water. Improves the flow substantially.

I've always prefered oil washes my self and until recently I've always put them on flat paint. But now I seal everything with future before I do decals and washes and the washes seem flow a little better. The real bonus that you can use oil or enamel washes over oil and enamel paint jobs without disturbing the base coat once youve sealed it with future.

I do all my washes and filters with Winser Newton Oils. I also spray almost exclusively in Tamiya Acrylics and since Tamiya Flat Acrylics are very flat, I always add about 20% Tamiya Clear to the mixture. Not just to add some contrast to the flat paint but to also aid the capalary action of the wash itself.

Cheers

Mo

The only oil washes I've done so far have been on flat surfaces. From what I've seen and read I believe that a clearcoat is the recommended way to go before putting on a wash to help preserve the base coat of your paint. I'm not experienced enough to say which is better, but I have had mixed results by not putting a clear or sealer coat between the base painr and the wash. I'm sure one of the more experienced guys will give you a more informed tip on your question. Semper fi, mike