RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

I searched this forum and Google too but I'm still not sure how to proceed! The heng long KT is the usual sand/brown/green and I want to do a wash to blend the colors but I don't know exactly how to go about it. I used model master paints ( they're enamel I think) for the base paints and I do have an airbrush if that gives better results. ..I didn't find too much advice on how to do what I want, which is light wear and the wash result is better blending the colors. I know what I want it to look like, but not how to go about creating it without messing it up and probably having to start the paint over.

Should I just do a wash in sand or does each color gets its own wash? Airbrush or paintbrush? What paint, thinners, other medium do I use for the wash? I've heard good and bad things about Vallejo brand washes, is it better to make it or buy it?
Please give me some advice because I've never done a wash before and I don't want to botch the job. If there's some other way to achieve the effect I'd listen.

I wouldn't do a brush wash, I wouldn't do a wash all over at all tbh. Your better off using a filter then a pin wash and weathering. I usually use a light most of flat earth to tie everything together. I know some modellers use burnt umber as a wash, might be worth trying.

Yes burnt umber is the color that keeps getting repeatedly mentioned in almost every article about a wash/filters for sand base paint.Now that you mention it i'm pretty sure a filter is what I want to do. Any ideas on the best way?

One of the best filters for a three tone camouflage of dark yellow, red brown and olive is the Sin Industries Tri-colour filter. Apply in a thin layer with a flat brush. I'm not sure how it works over an enamel base coat though, probably would want to put a Matt varnish layer on first or maybe acrylic Matt clear but it's one filter colour for the whole scheme. Once the filter is on then do your pin washes and weathering effects. You may want another filter colour for the running gear but again the would go across all three colours to blend them. You can also use oils paints as filters, thin them with turps and it's pretty much the same effect.


I would suggest that if this is new to you and you're nervous, pick up a cheap 1/48 or 1/35 model to experiment on. Alternatively you can pick up hulls for HL tanks on eBay for a few quid. I've picked up a damaged tiger with no electronics for a few quid before which I use as a guinea pig. Plasticard also works and is dirt cheap.

Becareful using enamel washes and such over enamel paint it will re soften the paint and in some cases it will rub off. I use acrylic paint sealed with acrylic sealer then I use AK interactive and recently Ammo weathering products. Just my opinion mate but at the end of the day its a coat of paint and it can be easly fixed.

Cheers Ken

A couple of good articles, one on washes and one on filters.

http://www.missing-lynx.com/rare_world/rw02.htm
http://www.missing-lynx.com/rare_world/rw04.htm