washes

Good questions, unfortunately I don't have alot of good suggestions for you. I've been meaning to try the Grumsalksdvvvvvioaisheeeeer stuff for a while too. My suggestion would be to just use water if you're doing a 'wash'. The cleanup and removal of the 'excess' will be easier and there is almost no chance that it will harm any of the paint or decals already on the model.
Personally, I just buy isopropyl alcohol from the drug store and I have never looked at the % on the bottle. Hope I'm not doing something wrong. Maybe someone else has some info on this.

M.

I've used Grahamcracker watercolors before as well as Cottman. I've used both as washes and for other misc stuff like oil streaks and such. Dish-washing detergent, as well as Smurf Juice (winshield washer solution) helps to break the surface tension and allows the wash to soak in.

Alcohol can be used as well, but BE CAREFUL. It may have adverse effects on whatever paint or decals you may have on the model. I suggest taking a large scrap piece of plastic, or something similar , and painting it with the same stuff that's on the model or that you plan to use on the model. Throw on a scrap decal and seal it. Try out the alcohol-thinned wash at different stages to see how it might affect the paint, decals, final clear coat etc. Don't take a chance on a good model with a new and possibly risky technique.

The only difference between 70% & 90% alcohol that the modeler should be concerned with is the fact that 70% has 70% alcohol content and 90% has 90% alcohol content. LOL

Seriously though, it really won't matter too much for what we do with it, whether it be for thinning paint to spray or for other modeling related stuff.

Fade to Black...

Thanks for the tips guys! I came across some article somewhere where it mentioned the used of alcohol and it seemed to stress the use of only the 70% or 90% and for the life of me I can't remember which it suggested. I don't drink but I have a bottle of vodka in my pantry that I had to use once for a recipe. It's a full bottle and it would seem such a shame to throw it out. I've been tempted to see if it would work as part of a wash solution or something. Ha-ha-ha! Maybe a brush cleaner.

Since I don't want to die I guess I'll just have to keep building them models!

Eric

try re packaging it and giving it away. if its 70% alcohol, whats the other 30%?

No matter what you use for a wash, I have always sealed my models with a clear coat before applying the wash.