Washes and paper towels

J, it sounds like you are not letting it dry enough. I always use an oil wash and it needs to be dry enough so that it actually takes some effort to wipe off. You have much more control that way. If it gets too dry, a little Turpenoid, or whatever you are using will take it off. You can speed up the drying process with a hair drier. Also, you say thin. May want to thicken it a little.

Jay

TY for the advice Tucohoward, I have the same problem and this looks like the answer.

Try q-tips, they are a little more 'precise' than a paper towel

I actually use an old T shirt to wipe it off. I apply the wash to the whole surface as I like to get a little staining as well as in the panel lines. When you let dry you will have to scrub a little to get it off. That's where you get a lot of control. Keep wiping until you have the amount left that you desire. Here is an example.

Jay

I hear about "oil washes" all the time, what manufacture do you use for that?

Steve

I thin Windsor and Newton oils from Michael's.

I use Windsor and Newton as well. Raw Umber thinned with Turpenoid.

Jay

Oil tube paints from Mig Productions are very good, have more color selection and are cheaper than most professional artists oil paints. Just another option.

I tried an oil wash today after getting some paint and Turpenoid (pricy stuff that), I love the look.

That looks great Steve!  I like the detail it produced.  Did you pick up the paint at Hobby Lobby?

No, Michel's.

In fact I purchased the Windsor and Newton, and the Turpenoid,  got home and started thinning the paint in a jar, and found that it didn't mix, like oil and........water? Ooops! I got the acrylic instead of the oil, so back to Michel's I went.

I think I'm going to go grab some tonight on the way home, I've got a 40% off coupon that I can use.  I picked up some dark grey artist oil awhile back, I just want some sort of a brown so that I can do some weathering in a cockpit and on the bottom side of my 109.