Thinners and enamel washes

Washes seem to be replacing dry brushing as the modern way to create weathering stains.  However, by the number of posts about cleaning up excess washes show, they are not that easy.

People might try dry brushing.  You can slowly build up the stain, so you stop when you reach the desired opacity of the stain, and no cleanup is necessary.  However, as with learning any weathering technique, one should practice and master the technique on scrap rather than a good model.

amateurmodeler50

Hello, I've recently started using enamel washes from AK for weathering, and I paint my models with tamiya acrylics. So once I apply the washes, what's a safe way to remove them without damaging the paint underneath? I've tried laquer thinners and acetone and both remove the acrylic. I've seen people use enamel thinners from AK or tamiya though. So if i use these thinners, will the acrylic paint be removed as well? Or do I need to use a laquer clear coat before the washes, and then an enamel thinner to remove excess wash?

Thanks, Cyrus

 

Now a different story. I painted the engine pods on a B-58 with Testors' lacqure Melalizer  paint. I then added an enamel wash. I didn't like the results of the wash so I tried to remove it with an enamel thinner. The enamel thinner removed the enamel wash and the lacquer Metalizer paint. I have no idea why that happened. 

I wish that I could help you with your question, but I am as confused as you are.

Testors Metalizer paints are very delicate. You would have to seal them with a dissimilar acrylic layer before using an enamel wash and cleaning up with thinner.

The best way to be sure that spirit based washes won't eat the color coat is to finish the color with clear acrylic. There are a number you can try, including the old go-to Future floor finish.

GMorrison

The best way to be sure that spirit based washes won't eat the color coat is to finish the color with clear acrylic. There are a number you can try, including the old go-to Future floor finish.

 

Could be,I think there are many factors, I had a wash made with Testors Universal,the red can,and it went thru Vallejo varnish,really strange somtimes.