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Gundam Modeling Tutorial - Wash

Weathering wash is the best and easiest way to create the best looking panel lines.

Definition

Now, what is a wash? A wash is just a thinner down paint. Instead of doing 50% paint and 50% thinner as you do in air brush. You create a wash by putting more parts of thinner. Say, 1 part paint and 7 to 10 part thinner.

Prereq

Make sure you are using the right type of paints when you are doing a wash. The paint you used to wash has to be of different type than the one you used for the actual model. So, use enamel type of paint to wash if you used acrylic type of paint in base coating your model. If you use acrylic on acrylic, it will create a big mess. Enamel on Acrylic or Arcylic on Enamel will work. (I always use Enamel on Acrylic).
Grossy paint creates a grossy surface. Flat paint create a flat surface. For gundam panel lines, you have to make sure the surface you wash on is grossy. If you try to wash on a flat surface, the wash will go everywhere. If you have already painted something flat, just put a grossy transparent coat (topcoat) before you wash.

Basic How to Steps

Create the wash. Assume you used Tamiya arcylic paint to paint your model. Use 1 part of enamel paint and 7 parts of enamel thinner to create the wash. My fav brand for enamel is Humbrol. Common color for the wash is black, brown, redish brown, or whatever color you want your panel lines to look like.
Apply the wash. Use a small paint brush to apply the wash. You can apply the wash to just create the panel lines or you can apply the wash to the model as a whole to create weathering effect. Just make sure the paint surface you apply the wash to is completely dry.
Let it dry. Depends on where you are on earth, you will let the wash dry for 20 min to 50 min. In theory, you can use cold air blower to make the drying process faster.
Wipe the wash off. Here is the fun part. Use a q-tip, clean cloth, or good quality kitchen roll and dip it into the thinner. Again, if you are using enamel to wash, dip it into enemal thinner. The more thinner you get, the more wash you will get off the model. Now, use the item (q-tip, cloth, etc.) to wipe the wash off the model. Make sure you are gentle, so you don't demage the paint under the wash.

Let's take a look. Here is my fav brand to use as wash.

Oh, make sure you have gloves on in some cases to make sure you don't put dirt on the model.

Make the wash. 1 paint part and 7 paint thinner will do. Just experiment with it.

Apply the wash with a small paint brush. Don't be afraid. You will wipe off the excess later.

Just trust that it will come out :)

Now, you can clean it up with q-tip and thinner.

See, you just create the thinnest line on your gundam model.

You can create two thinner line like this as well. It looks much better than gundam marker since the marker makes the whole line looks so solid.

More washing.

And clean up.

Here is an example of wash and post shadowing.

The more you practice, the better you get.

Check out the other parts!

Pick a Kit	Tools	Air Brush	Construction
Sanding	Masking	Painting	Washing
Decal

**Check out the other pages!**

Comment Script

Comments

great tutorial, what kind of (or number) humbrol black are you using? I was thinking about using Humbrol Black 21 which is gloss or Humbrol Black 33 which is matte

#1 - NolaSaints - 01/26/2011 - 00:20

Gross Black

The one I used is gross black.

#2 - Richard OpenHappy - 02/08/2011 - 18:56

Thanks

Really thanks !!! yours tutorials are very useful for me , thanks !!!

#3 - Puma - 10/01/2011 - 17:23

question?can i use commercial enamel paints in small cans on my gundam?thanks!

#4 - marcus - 10/09/2011 - 02:29

After or Before

I wanna create panel lines, I use Tamiya Acrylic paint in the model, and I will use Umbrol enamel for the lines, You apply a clear coat after or before to make the lines ??? Enamel thinner dont affect the Acrlyic Paint ?

#5 - Puma - 10/12/2011 - 01:47

After

I usually do the panel line after the clear coat. You just have to make sure the clear coat is also acrylic. So, use all acrylic paint (including clear coat), then, you do your panel lines. After the panel lines, you can do another coat of clear coat (either acrylic or enamel will be good for final coat).

#6 - Richard - 10/19/2011 - 18:02

Commercial Enamel

Yes, you can use commerical enamel paints, you just have to thinner it down a bit and try it on some parts first to see if it will eat away the parts. It is always fun to experience with different paints.

#7 - Richard - 10/19/2011 - 18:05

wash..

hi

if I may, when you do the wash, do you always put on a glossy clear coat before doing it? what product do you use?
Doesn't the enamel thinner attack the acrylic paint? If I'm not mistaken, enamel thinners are lacquer based, so it will eat away even acrylic paint.

thanks for the advise.

~ Jordan
Manila, Philippines

#8 - jordan - 11/22/2011 - 03:02


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