wash formula

greg, when i do washes i use artist's oils and mineral spirits mixed to a strong coffee look. everytime i load my brush, i stirr the brew making sure to rake the bottom of the container over a couple of times to awaken any pigment that has slipped to the bottom. i dont know about enamels, but artist's oils go to the bottom quickly so you may have to stir every time you load the brush like i have to. also, the wash has to be very thin so if its not flowing properly you may want to try adding some more thinner like you mentioned. if that doesnt help, post some of your results and somebody on here will get to the bottom of it for you.

Hey Greg! try using a acrylic wash, thinned down good, like 50 parts denatured alcohol to 1 or two parts paint. SEE MY POST WITH THE PROBLEM IM HAVING.

mix a little black in with some brown for a good panel line color.

Thanks for the advice!

I've had excellent results using a "Sludge Wash" fully described in an article called "Quick & Easy Weathering" in the November 2001 issue of FineScale Modeler. However, as I learned recently to my sorrow, the sludge mixture needs to be Fresh! I recently used some that I had laying around for a couple of months and, even tho I mixed it very well, it dried to fast and wouldn't come off. Had to repaint and start over.
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Wayne Fischer

With washes you have to remember to use the opposing paint type.
If your model is finished with acrylic paints, then use enamel or oil based washes.
And vice versa.

Remember to make your wash up so it resembles dirty thinners.
It's easier to add more colour, then to remove, so dont over do it.

If your wash isn't flowing, then it is either to thick, or the surface tension of the wash is to great.

Greg: I have had good luck with artist's acrylics (tube type) thinned with distilled water with a little dishwashing soap (Dawn) aka sludge wash. Regardless of the type of wash you are using, the surface must have a well cured gloss coat (Future). I leave the wash on just long enough for it to dry--just a few minutes-and then wipe it off. Swanny has an excellent article on this technique on his web site for reference.

Mike McShea