WTH am I doing Wrong?

It sounds like whatever thinner that you use in your wash is too "hot" for whatever is underneath. You have described a lot of variables to come up with the same problem. Also how long do you give your base coats to dry and cure before proceeding on to the next step? And how are you removing the excess wash?

Since you do not seem to be having any luck with making your own. I suggest you try to get some Pro Modeller washes and give them a try. Water clean up so you will not have the issues that have been dogging you currently.

http://www.florymodels.co.uk/

Konigwolf13

over acrylic or future

I dont know what I'm doing wrong but using either turps or humbrol thinner for making a wash for panel lines etc I keep losing paint down to bare plastic

Hi Andrew,

How long are you leaving the base coat to cure before applying your washes? For flat Tamiya acrylics, I'd suggest leaving it at least overnight, preferably 48 hours before applying washes. 

I have applied washes directly to Tamiya acrylics without any undesirable (stripping) effects. I use artist oils thinned with a locally (Aus) made product, "Art Spectrum" brand odourless thinner.

Stik have thought a few times about AM washes but havn't taken the plunge in buying paints or other similar liquids via post yet (local stores dont stock them). Really thinking about buying some next time I place an order though.

Phil, I have used the Art spectrum with washes for same effect (got some a few months ago when I testing different primer/solvent combo's, I like the lack of STINK). Time wise last test was nearly a day and a half (after acrylic coat) for one section (externals on marder IIM) and over a week for the other section (fighting compartment) same both ways.

On the flip side I dug out my old artist water colours found some still usable, in the process of doing some tests and results are great so far.

Anybody have experiece, tips or bad results using water colours instead of oils for washes?

Andrew

Andrew,

I should mention that while the Tamiya acrylic seemed to resist the AS odourless thinner quite well, a test with Gunze Aqueous did not (IIRC, you like to use Gunze Aqueous?) However, I may have applied a very thin coat or perhaps didn't leave it long enough to fully cure at the time.

I also found that the AS thinner didn't want to mix with Testors Modelmaster paints, so I am presuming that they may also be resistant when cured (but havent tried it)

I also found cured Tamiya acrylics quite resistant to White Spirits and Mineral Turps too.