SPA Modeler

Anyone who could recommend some good readily mixed washes ?

I have so far mixed my own washes, using oilpaints and mineral/white spirit but to save some time, I was thinking to get some "commercial" washes.

I know there is a bunch of them, everything from Tamiyas Panel Line accent colors to AK interactive washes, MIG Ammo, Vallejo, Florys etc etc etc.

Is anyone using these or are everyone mixing their own stuff ? Any recommendations, which to avoid etc ?

I use almost only MRP and Mr Color for paint work, if that makes any difference

- Kari

I can only really comment on what I use Kari, which are water-based washes. I generally use Citadel and Flory washes and find they work well for me for what I want them for - generally messing up cockpits and u/C bays and adding some shadows to pilots. The Flory Grime wash is good for dirtying up a subject.

The only issue I have with the Citadel washes is they can be hard to remove when dry.

I don't use any panel liners or that type of wash though (A technique I could do with developing) so I can't help there.

Kari, I generally use Flory clay-based washes and have been for many years now. I have no real complaints with those. That said, member John Kim uses ground pastel chalks mixed with water to great effect, and I plan to try that as well.

I have several the Tamia panel line washes, black, brown, dark brown… I like them, but they work best over acrylic since they are enamel…

Big fan on Flory washes. I have Tamiya black panel liner I find it a bit heavy/thick so I keep going back to my home made oil paint and turpenoid.

I’ve used home made and ready made washes of all sorts. Each has their pros and cons. Aside from the key being dissimilar layers, the pre made washes do save you the time of not mixing up the wash yourself, be it enamel, oil, or pastel/clay. If bench time is limited, that is a major plus factor in their favor. Oil washes do have extended drying times, but are exceptionally long term forgiving until sealed by another layer of clear coat. Clay/pastel washes are quick and easy, but don’t do as well as enamels or oils around raised details. Enamel washes are somewhere in between, with the key being thinner that you use for cleanup.

I've used Tamiya panel liners, AK Interactive washes and homebrewed washes.