Model Forum / General / Models / July 2007

<<I am trying to wash over Tamiya base colour.
When I use water - the wash doesn't 'stick' well - and water creates
drops.
When I use Tamiya original solvent - the wash is great but it damages
slightly base colour.
When I use water with dishwashing liquid - the wash is ok.>>

The Tamiya solvent affects the base color because it's just that, a
'solvent'.  One solution might be to let the basecoat cure for a week or
so.  On the other hand, you're having success with the dishsoap route so
why change?  The reason this works and the plain water doesn't is that the
soap breaks down the surface tension of the water and lets it flow out and
stick to the surfaces.  That in a nutshell is why some us put a drop or
two into acrylic paint.

<<Would using Cidatel Colors Inks be better? Can I use Tamiya solvent with

them? Or water with dishwashing liquid?>>

I can't help with that one as I'm completely unfamiliar with Citadel inks.
However, it goes back to the dishwashing liquid, in that you've found a
solution, so I'd suggest use it.  Don't get locked into a mindset of
having to use Tamiya solvent for a wash.  There's a saying here in the
States--"If it works it ain't broke, and if it aint' broke don't fix it"!

Just a few suggestions that i have found work well, (1)  use Windex
window cleaner  instead of tamiya thinner, much cheaper.
(2) spray the whole model with the windex before you try to attempt a
wash, it makes so the wash flows into the places where it is meant to
go.
(3) The original painting should have been dry for at least 48 hours.
(4)A good wash colour is a very slightly darker version of the
original only much much thinned, then a darker version , then a darker
version.
(5) then some great dry brushing , after the wash is well and truely
dry, probably dry brushing about 5 layers of lighter grades of
colour .and away you go.
                         Best of luck, hey try and buy some really
cheap old mdels to practice on.Arc

What you need is a binder in the water diluted color wash.  Try adding
Future Wax [or acrylic extender/retarder] to the solution.