Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

Black Wash


Recommended Posts

thin down some acrylic[water based] flat black, very runny, and just 'paint' the grill...when dry, wipe the 'highlights' and the chrome has a nice dark backing... make sense??

they even make a product for this, but, if you don't have any...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

lol Gene. He probably posted in the wrong section to begin with and Harry had to move it to here.

There are a couple of ways to do a black wash on grilles, wheels, etc.

1) Thinning down Flat Black Acrylic with water like mentioned above. Once dry, you a Q-Tip or Cotton Ball to rub the black away from areas where its not needed. You can even dip the end of a Q-Tip in Alcohol for instant removal. DO NOT SOAK THE Q-TIP!! Alcohol will eat the plastic. If you use is scarcely, it will be fine. Doesn't take much trust me.

2) Depending on the size of the grill, I will sometimes spray it flat black and before it has a chance to fully dry, wipe away the areas you don't want covered using a Q-Tip or Cotton Ball.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The easiest way is to buy The Detailer's stuff that is meant for Black Washing. You can get it in different colors, it's water based and you just brush paint it over the grille and the liquid will go between the grille bars. Very easy and simple, and it has given me the best results yet, basically I've never went wrong with that stuff.

thedetailerwashes.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMG_2131-vi.jpg

I've always used Testors flat black from the spray can. I spray a little bit into a small paper cup, then brush it onto the grille. I wait a few minutes for it to become tacky, then I wipe the grille off with a Q-tip with a little turpentine on it, for the above result. Note that the red lettering was done the same way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1) Thinning down Flat Black Acrylic with water like mentioned above. Once dry, you a Q-Tip or Cotton Ball to rub the black away from areas where its not needed. You can even dip the end of a Q-Tip in Alcohol for instant removal. DO NOT SOAK THE Q-TIP!! Alcohol will eat the plastic. If you use is scarcely, it will be fine. Doesn't take much trust me.

You can also use white spirit wich wont hurt the plastic, just make sure it's mineral as the other ones tend to dry yellow

The other colors can be used in rust effects for one thing, you can spot different colors in a different spot over the rust color to create a color variation :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The other color's can also be used on the door and trunk panel lines. Mix them to darken or lighten. An orange painted car take the orange detail color add a little black to darken the orange color and paint it on all the door and trunk lines wipe off excess and it will make the lines stand out. Also the detailer products dry glossy. For door and trunk you want them to be a flat as it is supposed to show shading in recessed areas. Never seen a shiny shadow myself but I never know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"The Detailer" in black is what I use. Great stuff; no need to fiddle around with mixing it up, etc.

In addition to using it on grilles or panel lines, it can give great results on dozens of surfaces to help accentuate the texture of various parts.

I often use it on seats and interior panels, engines, wheels, etc.

However, I *do* wipe it off after a minute or so. The trick is to let it seep into the crevasses of the parts to bring out the details, but not leave it on the part such that it overwhelms the original color (or chrome plating).

Just my 2-cents worth....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...