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  • Member since
    December 2011
washing
Posted by m4sherman on Saturday, December 3, 2011 11:07 AM

I am new to "washing" techniques.  First of all, what is a wash, and how do I do it.  Is it done with an airbrush or by hand.  I typically stick to WWII 1/35 scale armor and soft-skin trucks.  Any washing techniques advice is handy.  I would like lots of details and info and I have only recently jumped into it......

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Fly-n-hi on Saturday, December 3, 2011 11:44 AM

I would advise you to check out YouTube.  There are tons of videos on how to do washes.  I just did a search using "Weathering Plastic Models" and several videos came up.  Not just washes, either, but weathering using pastels, paints, airbrushing techniques...all kinds of stuff.

Warning:  Be prepared to spend a lot of time watching these vids.  You'll keep clicking on them and before you know it 3 hours will have gone by!

  • Member since
    December 2011
Posted by m4sherman on Saturday, December 3, 2011 12:14 PM

Thanks for the input, fly n hi!  I forget about you-tube all the time, will look into,  might have to use some old model tanks as "guinea pigs" to try this out..... Input from experienced modelers is always good!

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: California
Posted by SprueOne on Saturday, December 3, 2011 4:56 PM

Welcome, M4Sherman

A wash is tinted reducer of the base paint being used* and is applied with a brush. This is so thin that capillary action makes it flow into the panel lines and around the details to help these details stand out visually. You can apply a dark wash to 'pop' out details or a light color wash for grime build up in and around the details

* if you are using enamels, then the formula is approximately 8 parts thinner to 2 parts paint

* if your medium is water based acrylics, then try 4 parts rubbing alcohol - 4 parts water - 2 parts paint - 1 part dish washing detergent for wetting agent

 

anyway, like you said, practice on some stuff to achieve the desired effect first. Have fun because this part is fun

 

 

Tags: washes

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Iron Rails 2015 by Wayne Cassell Weekend Madness sprueone

  • Member since
    December 2011
Posted by m4sherman on Saturday, December 3, 2011 6:00 PM

Good Advice, I am still confused, to simulate dust and weathering, I actually want to lighten the color?  I figured it to be the other way around..........

 

  • Member since
    October 2010
Posted by Warmuncher on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 7:40 PM

Hey, this is the conversation that I was looking for.  I have many washes and glazes in the past with gaming miniatures.  However, I'm working something much larger with large flat panel lines.  I typically use Ink, Future, and Water for my washes.  It really pulls the pigments into the cracks, recesses, and along corners.  However, this kind of wash can be a real pain when it comes to large flat surfaces since it can pool and can also build up along the bottom edges of panels that angled toward the ground.  Finally, once this stuff dries, which is usually pretty quick, it is near impossible to clean up or get off the model.  Again, for gaming figures or anything n-scale or smaller it works out very very well and I will keep using the technique.  I work with Acryllics.

However, for the larger projects I need something that will behave similarly but with easier clean-up than what Future will allow.  I found a few videos on You Tube that describe a pastel wash: water, pastel chalk, and a hint of dishwashing fluid to break the water tension.  The best part is that it will wash off if you screw up. I thought I had it made.  I tried it out on a test peices and the initial results looked pretty good.  That is until the fluid dried and left behind the pastels.  The pastels would have look great had they not pulled away from the corners of the panels or the 90 degree corners where I wanted shadows. I did gloss coat the model before trying this process.  Thanksfully I could simply wash off the mess.

So, my question to you folks, what else can I add to the mixture other than soap that will break the water tension and allow the fluid to deposit its pigment in the cracks and evently on the panels without creating this pull away to the middle look?

You can find me on Photobucket under Warmuncher

Proud Member of Southern Maine Scale Modelers, IPMS

  • Member since
    August 2006
Posted by Brian D. on Thursday, December 8, 2011 3:30 PM

My current favorite washes is the Vallejo pre-mixed washes.  They are easy to apply and don't seem bloom or stain like other types of washes.  I have found airbrushing a coat or two of Vallejo satin varnish allows it to go down smoother too.

Brian

  • Member since
    December 2011
Posted by m4sherman on Saturday, December 10, 2011 1:17 PM

Thanks Brian, I think  my local hobby store carries that stuff, Cool!  I must appreciate the advice!

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