Hi All, my name is Guy Shepherd. Im from the uk. I came accross this site through a friend. And to someone who is fresh back into the hobby it is invaluable. I, like so many others started making models as a kid, as time and ‘Girls’ passed the models became a distant memory. I currently fly RC but, after seeing and buying an x Hasegawa 1/48 Fw190, find myself hooked. My abilities, really only extend to making and basic painting. I now own an airbrush and really wish to get into the ‘Dark art’ of weathering. I found a few articles on this site that im sure will help me. I have assembled the 190 but the colur seems very plain. (Pardon the pun) I read that a lot of ppl then apply a ‘wash’ to dirty the plane up. What is a wash and how would it help me?. Ill let that do for my questions so far, i would really appreciate as much help from you all as i can get. Im a great believer in asking the experts before jumping in and making a balls up.
Welcome to the Forums Guy [#welcome]. A Wash is simply paint that is highly thinned & then applied to the model, usually to accent panel lines. It’s best to use a wash over a glossed surface as it may bleed out on a matte surface. It’s also best to use a paint/thinner that wont affect the base paint, such as acrylic over enamel. Personally, I use artist oils thinned with mineral spirits for the wash & apply it over a gloss acrylic finish such as a Future top-coat.
Thx for the fast reply. I take it you hand paint the wash rather than airbrush it? Also how thinned out must it be? You mentioned coating the base colour in ‘Future Gloss’? Dont know what that is? Or we dont have it here. What is the best order to paint the model in…ie Base coat bottom and top and then gloss,then decals then weathering.
I truly am sorry for sounding like a total newb, but back when i made these things, i did em in a day. To me you guys are Gods and i, at least, would like to try to emulate some of the stuff ive seen already if at all possible.
As fafr as the Future goes, check out Swanny’s website for TONS of info on the stuff. It is basically an acrylic floor coating that works well for protecting models.
As for washes, I use teh same method Rick described with oil paints thinned with mineral spirits at the ratio of about 10-15% paint and 85-90% thinner. Best to experiment until you find your own preferences.
Glad you came back, and happy modeling! [#welcome]
Welcome to the forums! I’m new here myself, and have learned a lot in the few weeks that I’ve been lurking and posting.
Washes do make that “plain” color look so much nicer. Like the two guys above, I use oil paints as well to do my washes. I use acrylic paints in the first place, so I don’t have to worry about mineral spirits (I use a product called Turpenoid… it doesn’t smell, so the wife likes it much better…) reacting with the acrylic paint.
Depending on what color the aircraft is that you’re painting, you can use many different colors of oil paints to wash them in. I personally think using black oil paints to accentuate panel lines is a little too heavy, but some like it this way. I usually use a burnt sienna for a nice “dirty” look, and a dark gray for places where oil and exhaust may end up. Try a few different things out. You’ll be amazed at how they look when you’re done.
Don’t forget that washes work REALLY well in the cockpit area, and help to bring out some great details. If you have any questions, send me a private message, and I can outline how I go about doing this.
Forgot to mention I also prefer raw umber or dark grey to the stark look of black washes. Another great place to use them is inside the landing gear bays. Really makes the detail there “pop.”
Hi and welcome, “Future” is known as Johnsons Klear in the UK and is sold in most hardware shops. Although Klear is a floor polish it is truly the modelers friend.
