Washes

[slant6]

Ive never used them. Can I make them, or is it something that should be bought? How exactly do I use them?

[RJWood]

Its easy to make a wash from any paint you already have, nothing more to buy.

A wash is merely thinned out paint. Just add some thinner to paint until it is like water.

Then just flow it on the part. For example: I want to add a wash to a '32 Ford grill, just thin the paint

with paint thinner, (brush cleaner type thinner works well too) and using a paint brush, dip into the wash

and apply it to the grill. when it drys, just gently wipe the excess with a Q-tip dipped in thinner, but keep

the Q-tip from being saturated with thinner, just a lite dampening of the Q-tip. And thats about the best I

can explain it.

Also a wash is good for weathering Engines,suspention parts, and wheels. Just practice a little and you will

have it down in no time.

Good luck.

Ron

Edited April 3, 2010 by RJWood

[Jon Cole]

I would just add that an acrylic (water base) wash is nice. Once I used Model Master flat black as a wash on a chrome grille, and when I wiped off the excess from the high spots, the solvents loosened up the chrome. Bummer!

[Qwit Pushin]

Ive never used them. Can I make them, or is it something that should be bought? How exactly do I use them?

I've found that 'Doc Martins' ink, which can be found at art supply or craft stores works well for this purpose. It can be used straight out of the jar, or thinned per your liking. Let dry, and then simply rubbing a soft cloth, pencil eraser or Q-tip over the piece that's been 'washed' removes the ink from for the areas where you don't want it to appear.

It's also great for flowing into body separation points like doors, trunklids, gas doors and cowl vents. Washes with water if you're not happy with it.

I've also made washes mixing pastels with a little water.

Just some additional options.

[Len Woodruff]

Good tips guys!

[crazyjim]

I'm lazy and use The Detailer washes that I get from Rick at Scale Dreams. He has several colors available and you can mix them together for different colors.

In the old days I would thin enamel, paint it on andd wipe the high spots. The Detailer is easier and not as messy.

[Wheels]

The only problem I have found with the Detailer is that it comes off after a while.

It did that on the grille of a Dodge Ram Dually that I enter in a contest and I have started to use acrylics as a wash now.

I just picked uo some Citadel black wash to try after hearing some good results from fellow builders.

We'll see how it works.