Wash

actually that's normal for a little glob of paint to appear where you touched the panel line with your brush. i don't know about tanks, but for aircraft, that glob of paint can be wiped in the airflow direction to simulate oil stains. you can make a really thin wash and brush your whole your model with it, but with a thin layer at a time. don't overdo it! (well, unless you want a really dirty tank...) the wash should gather in the edges and corners by itself.

wkchoong, dont be alarmed by the marks. your model will look fairly rough until you go back and wipe it down. here are the steps that i take when doing a wash.
1. after all the paint has been applied to the model i let it cure over night and then spray a couple of coats of future on the model. this puts a protective layer between the harsh thinner wash and your brand new paint job, allows the wash to run more smoothly along the models recesses and such, and makes clean up easier when wiping the excess wash from your subject.

2. this is optional but it looks more realistic, i apply the decals and then seal them with yet another coat of future.

3. mix desired color (mine are usually dark gray or dark umber in color) artist oils in whatever container that you have available ( i use plastic artist palletes from walmart)

4. do like you have said and load the brush and touch the models resesses and raised detail and remember to keep stirring the brew as the artist oils will sink to the bottom very quickly. do the whole model. everything.

5. go chill or work on another model for about an hour or 45 minutes and let the wash dry somewhat. after an hour or so, the thinner should have evaporated and your ready for the cleanup process. i take a q-tip and dip into some clean mineral spirits, roll it around on a paper towel to remove some of the excess thinner, then gently wipe away the excess wash from the model. dont wipe too much though as this will take the wash off if your not careful. this should take care of the brush marks you mentioned and leave the wash where it is intended to be, in the recesses and around raised details. dark umber is gonna be your best bet for a tank as this will give your model a dirty, dingy look. and dont forget to dry brush some highlights with lighter shades of the models base coat. happy modelling. later.

Hello Saltydog,

Thanks for the advice. Just two questions though:

1. I can't get Future over here in Malaysia or Singapore, even though I am searching high and low for it. So, is it okay if I use Tamiya Clear Coat?

2. Forgive my ignorance, what is q-tip? Can I use a cotton bud instead?

Once again, thanks.

Les

QUOTE: Originally posted by wkchoong Hello Saltydog, Thanks for the advice. Just two questions though: 1. I can't get Future over here in Malaysia or Singapore, even though I am searching high and low for it. So, is it okay if I use Tamiya Clear Coat? 2. Forgive my ignorance, what is q-tip? Can I use a cotton bud instead? Once again, thanks. Try any Johnson brand of acrylic floor polish on a scrap plastic and see how it does. Its called Johnson wipe and shine here in the Philippines. q-tip and cotton bud are the same. Les

my bad man, i didnt realize you were in Malaysia!! i have no idea what they call future over there but it looks like sigman has you all hooked up. and yes, a q-tip and cotton bud should be pretty close as well. if you dont have those, then wad up a small scrap of cotton fabric and dip it into the thinner and use it to clean up the excess wash with. but, if you have access to cotton buds, it would probably work better. later.

Thanks Sigman and Saltydog. I will definitely give this a try.

Cheers,
Les

For more info about Future or whatever you should use if you can't find Future, you should ask Swanny here in the forum or read his very good article about Future on his web site. You can fint it there : www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html

Spawney

I found some Future in Singapore about a year ago... it was sold in Ace Hardware at Novena Square. Went for about S$55. But they've moved out since... If you know where to find other Ace Hardware branches in Singapore or Malaysia, I suppose you should be able to find some Future...

Albert_sy2, I heard there is a DIY shop at Shaw Centre which may have Future. I will check it out this weekend.

Spawney, thanks, I have read that article.

Cheers,
Les