A problem with my washes

Using enamels over lacquer may not work. Some lacquers, especially modern ones, are susceptible to mineral spirits, and/or do not provide a sufficient barrier to that solvent to protect the paint underneath.

If you must use enamels as a wash, use an acrylic clear coat as a barrier coat between the paint and the wash. The same applies to use of oil paints.

Rememeber: washes should be applied to a different paint system. Enamel/oil over acrylic and vice versa. 

I've been using oils (ivory black Grumbachers) thinned in oderless mineral spirits for years, over MM enamels sealed with Testors flat laquer. I do not wipe.

I think just once in probably 50 models did it get through it and take some paint off, probably because I had yet to master the technique at that time. (Once applied you have limited working time and cannot double back until dry)

I would be interested to know if anyone makes an acrylic flat clear, that would be comparable to what the Testors flat  laquer does.

The wash I have described above results in a dead flat finish, which is what I want. I just did Trumpeter's 1/35th LCM last night, and once again am very pleased with the results. 

Note: a tube of oil paint from an art store for $6 bucks will last for years and at least a couple of dozen or more models. Very little actual pigment is used. Just a dab in a little cup of mineral spirits then I hit a piece of paper towel with the brush then the model. One section at a time.

Takes about three days for most models. Patience.

Q-tips for occasional screwups.

Wilbur Wright wrote:

I would be interested to know if anyone makes an acrylic flat clear, that would be comparable to what the Testors flat  laquer does.

Generally I use Future with a bit of Tamiya flat base mixed in, and this provides a lovely and really easy to use acrylic flat finish.  I usually mix it 8 - 10:1 Future:Tamiya flat base, and it works great and is super easy to clean up and durable too.

So I remembered I had acrylic paint!

I tried to make it into a wash, but the particles were to large, and the color didnt stay.  So I used it without it thinned with the water, and while it worked, it stained it to much and didnt take enough of the color out.

If you have a Hobby Lobby nearby, hit them on occasion.  They are always having sales, and you can usually get a pretty good discount on artist oils or artist acrylics (think I picked mine up at 30% off a while back).  I had the same problem with my washes coming off of everything as well.  I switched to using Q-Tips and washing smaller areas at a time.  It takes a bit longer, but the wash stays where I need it and gives me a little more control.

 I haven't tried using craft acrylics for washes.  Has anyone given those a go to see if they work?  They're super cheap, but I'm not sure they can be thinned enough.  I picked some up after reading Doog's Hetzer article in December's FSM (beautiful model), and they work great for brush painting.

jcfay wrote:

You might also want to consider trying out an acrylic wash as well.  I use one most often and like it because it is so harmless to anything underneath it, and it can be easily wiped off and reapplied over and over again.  I usually use an acrylic artist paint (lamp black, etc.) in water with a drop or two of dishwashing soap to break the surface tension.  Never have any problems with it destroying anything underneath.