New To Modeling Need Help

Sherms' got the answer for you.

As a side note here, you don't need to apply the gloss coat (either spray gloss or future) like you would on a car model. Just 1 decent coat will do the trick. It's just there for the slickness and protection, not for the shine.

You will notice that, if you happen to miss a section with the gloss, it will be very tough to remove the wash. An example of this would be the bottom of the tank. If you do the wash and it runs underneath the tank without a gloss coat, you will have streaks that are really hard to remove. I usually do the whole topside and underside. It's just a thing I have where it has to be perfect, even if I can't see it

Pathfinder - Future is probably easier to use and gives better results than most gloss cotes. And no we don't remove it before a dull-cote finish, just spray right over top. One bottle of future goes a long, long way at very little cost. Sprays great with the airbrush and can be used as a dull-cote too with Tamiya's additive.

Nick,just try what Erock said and it'll work well. I just asked the same thing on the Sherman I just built and had never done a wash either and did it as he said and it came out well. Welcome to the forum and you will be amazed at what you can learn from these guys.

Yeah, what they said.

Here's a link for pictures to go with those words:

http://www.missing-lynx.com/articles/german/kkmarder/kkmarder.htm


Welcome & Good luck

Now you've got my curiosity going! Do you take the Future polish off before the Dull Coat? I don't "do floors". I've always used Gloss Coat prior to decaling and weathering. The Future would obviously be cheaper.

Welcome to the forum, Nick. Great modeling to you.

Bill

Hi Nick. Nice to have you here with us. Well, Erock has I think answered you're question already. Just want to add one thing. You can also use acrylic paint wash by diluting it with isoprophyl alcohol / tap water and apply as instructed by Erock.

Good luck with the wash.

Erock's got you covered on the wash question Nick.

All that leaves me then is to welcome you to FSM.
Enjoy the forums.

A "Wash" is a highly thinned enamel or oil paint that you apply after the model is almost complete, to bring out hidden lines and surfaces. It is mostly done with Burnt Umber, Black or a darker shade of the model's base color.

After you have completed your model, you spray a gloss coat (people even use Future floor wax) over the entire piece. It aids in letting the wash "flow" easier over the kit and also protects the paint underneath. After letting the wash dry several hours, it is removed with thinner or mineral spirits, leaving the wash in the panel lines, around bolts and such. You can use a cotton swab, dipped in the thinner, to remove unwanted wash from the surface. You then give the piece a dull coat, to remove the shine.

Remember, when doing a wash, you do not paint it on, you let it flow off the brush and sink down into the recessed lines.

An example of how I do a "Wash" is found here: http://www.erock68.com/erock68t15.html