I am looking for the best way to use a wash on the panel lines of aircraft. I currently have a Mk IX Spitfire that I have painted with Model Master enamels and glosscoated with Testors Glosscote Lacquer.
I have used The Detailer’s premixed water based washes on other projects, but am not really happy how they flow into panel lines. I have also made a wash with rubbing alcohol and model master acrylic paints, but i doesn’t seem to wash off easily.
I also have a Mig Productions dark wash on hand, but am afraid to use it as it is supposed to only be used over acrylic paints.
What is the best option for a wash over the Glosscote Lacquer? Is it possible to use an artist oil and terpenoid wash over this?
I use the same paints as you do, I mixed up two different washes using acrylic craft paint (about $1 a bottle). 1 wash is Raw Umber, about 1/4" deep in an old MM jar, with a couple drops of Black, water up to the neck and two drops of dish soap. The other wash is Black with a couple drops of Raw Umber, same mix…water, soap. I don’t use the black wash alot, just little bits here and there. For a panel line wash, I slop on the Raw Umber, and while still wet, using a soft cloth, wipe in the direction of airflow. As with everything, a little trial and error to find the results you like. If you don’t like it, it cleans up with water. The longer it sits, the harder it is to clean it up though.
I grind chalk pastels with a cheap mortar & pestle to a very fine powder. Mix with water and a drop of dish soap, to break the surface tension of the water so it flows. Brush on, let dry and wipe off with a barely damp paper towel. It can be used on any paint.
I just ordered some of the premixed washes by The Detailer. I’ve read a number of negative comments about them, as well as quite a few positive. Has anybody tried adding a drop of dish washing detergent to The Detailer washes to improve their performance? If so, what was your result?
Big fan of Pro Modeller weathering wash myself, it’s water based, easy to apply, and idiot proof. After some work damp paper towel it finished up beautifully.