ok, i know this has been asked probably a hundered times or more…but rather than go back searching for the answer 
i’ll ask it again. what is a good wash consistancy? how much thinner to how much paint, etc. this is for armor btw. also, i used a brown wash on my m1a2 abrams…should i go back over it with a lighter wash? if so, what color? now, i dont have the means to “measure” washes so a really simple plan would be appreciated! thanks all!
I kinda mix to a shade I like. Around the wheels in particular, I’ll use a pretty dark wash. No real method of ratio. It may look dark initally, but drybrushing and a buff spray will tone it down. I don’t have a firm answer, other than go with what you like.
[:)] thanks. i appreciate the help. anyone else? i could use the input!
10 parts thinner, 1-2 parts paint. It’s always easier to add depth by going back over with a second coat of the wash than it is to try and somehow lighten a wash application that’s too dark. I use “spot” washes as well. I almost never go over the entire vehicle with the wash, rather I just hit the wheels and panel lines as it were.
As for measuring, I use an eye dropper. They can be had from a craft store for about $1 a bag.
I use artists water colors for washes. If you don’t mind very unscientific measurements, I mix a pea shaped amount of paint into a shot glass full of water then add 3-4 drops of vinegar, and 2 drops of liquid dish soap. I mix it up in a small plastic bowl.
to be honest, I don’t precisely measure the thinner/paint ratio when I do a wash. I just mix it until the wash flows fluidly around the detail I am trying to accentuate. I generally just do it by trial and error. to be on the safe side, i find it better to use too much thinner than too much paint. too much paint and the wash just “sits” there on the model surface and doesn’t use capillary action to accentuate the detail. if the wash is too thin, you can always apply a darker wash later.
I like using a dark brown paint. I also do the spot wash over a gloss coat (future). this seems to make the wash flow better around the details/panel lines, and i have more control than an overall wash on the entire model. usually i do it once and let it sit. if it needs more than I’ll apply another wash after the first one has dried. if I’ve overdone it I just apply a q-tip moistened with thinner to clean up the excess (the Future gloss coat helps with this).
I’ve never tried applying a lighter shade of wash over the inital darker wash, curious to see the results of that.
THANKS TO ALL FOR THE HELP![:)] IT IS APPRECIATED! I THINK IM GONNA TRY THE LIGHTER WASH THOUGH…TEST IT OUT. AS FAR AS TRIAL AND ERROR I DO DO THAT…UNFORTUNATELY ITS USUALLY MORE ERROR THEN TRIAL! [:D]
60 GUNNER!