What type of wash to use on enamel (Testors MM)?

[Edbert]

I'm seeing success in applying Tamiya or AK washes, but I understand they are safe to apply to Tamiya acrylic (XF) paints with or without a varnish.

My question is, do I use a diluted Tamiya XF as a wash on top of a new gloss coat of Testors Model-Master insignia white?

I think the answer is yes so, followup...do I dilute the XF wash with X20 or something even milder like water? I think the hardened enamel is close to bulletproof but I dunno, so I ask.

 

[dave]

Not too sure i know most of these products are perfectly safe over acrylic paints but not recommended over lacquer paints ,what are testors I'm sure someone will give their answer to this hopefully not learnt the hard way. Dave

 

[Edbert]

Not too sure i know most of these products are perfectly safe over acrylic paints but not recommended over lacquer paints ,what are testors I'm sure someone will give their answer to this hopefully not learnt the hard way. Dave

I've a tendency to oversimplify things, like "enamels and oils use turpentine as thinner and acrylic uses water". It might have been true at one point, or in art class, it is not today. The Testors (both the small square bottles and the model-masters ones) worked fine with turpentine, just had a 24-hour drying period.

I know that today things are insane where some acrylics use acetone or lacquer thinners and some use water or alcohol. I'm thinking the wise thing to do is apply a gloss varnish before proceeding.

I thought I could cut a corner by using some old gloss white, I'm burning through XF2 like crazy, and the gloss surface would avoid the need for a varnish.

 

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

Acrylic based wash go over enamels, enamel based wash over acrylics.

 

[urumomo]

Acrylic based wash go over enamels, enamel based wash over acrylics.

why ?

 

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

Let me enlighten you, Professor. Washes ought to be opposite of what your paint base coat is. Everybody knows that.

Shocking that you don't know this…. LOL!

 

[urumomo]

Nope .
and if it was that way there would be a reason .