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Model Master paint...using water to make a wash? Can you?

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  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Trieste, Italy
  • 258 posts
Model Master paint...using water to make a wash? Can you?
Posted by GN_Fan on Friday, September 20, 2019 6:43 AM

Due to health issue, I've been out of the hobby for a while.  The demise of Floquil paint was a big blow, and being an expat living in Italy with no hobby shops nearby, getting modeling supplies is a pain.  Anything flamable cannot be mail ordered from the US, so getting paint was a problem.  I've since discovered Model Master paint so my first order is on the way.  I'll need to wake a wash for some old neglected wood kits I have, and was wondering if model Master paints can be thinned with water.  Any ideas?

Alea Iacta Est -- The Die Is Cast
  • Member since
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  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
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Posted by RR_Mel on Friday, September 20, 2019 8:39 AM

Acrylic paint can be thinned with water, if the paint you have coming is Model Master Acrylic then yes.  Model Master also has Lacquer and Enamel paint that are solvent based not water.
 
    
 
Mel
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
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Posted by snjroy on Friday, September 20, 2019 9:49 AM

I use distilled water. I also have used Vallejo acrylic paint thinner. Both seem to work.

Simon

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Posted by PennCentral99 on Friday, September 20, 2019 10:03 AM

I've never worked with Model Master, so I can't answer your question. BUT, I can offer some alternatives.

You stated "Anything flamable cannot be mail ordered from the US". What about other countries? AK Interactive and Ammo by Mig make enamel washes. I didn't have any problem ordering products directly from Ammo (Spain) and having them shipped to the United States. Can you get them shipped to Italy?

If not, you can order their acrylic paints and thin them yourself.

Oh, I've used watercolor pencils to make a wash. Seems the pigment in the pencils is finer and mixes with water better than acrylic paint. I've gotten some really good results with watercolor pencils.

Terry

Inspired by Addiction

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Posted by spe3376 on Friday, September 20, 2019 1:08 PM

PennCentral99

I didn't have any problem ordering products directly from Ammo (Spain) and having them shipped to the United States. Can you get them shipped to Italy?

If not, you can order their acrylic paints and thin them yourself.

I believe that there may be some new restrictions on shipping various substances within the EU that may be affecting this.  At work, one of our plants in Hungary just reported that they were no longer able to import some of the Loctite brand adhesives they have been using from Ireland, Germany, or the UK, and these were NSF-51 and NSF-61, food grade and drinking water safe products, hardly hazardous substances.  I wonder if even hobby acrylic paints fall under this prohibition.

  • Member since
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  • From: eastern Nebraska
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Posted by binder001 on Friday, September 20, 2019 2:29 PM

Yes, water can be used.  I tend to prefer either Model Master thinner or the equivalent item from Valleho or AK.  Another option might be to use isopropyl alcohol, but test it firt to see how the paint and the surface react.  

  • Member since
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  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Friday, September 20, 2019 2:50 PM

I use some alcohol in my airbrush, but 90% is a paint solvent.  70% not so much, but no experience using that on wood, and perhaps painted wood in your case. 

I'm a distilled water denier, but maybe I am lucky with the water I have.  I'm not sure the spots that might occur with tap water would be noticeable in a wash.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by doctorwayne on Friday, September 20, 2019 5:28 PM

I've found that a drop or two of dish detergent helps the thinned paint to actually act as a wash, rather than simply bead-up on the surface to which it's been applied.

Wayne

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  • From: west coast
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Posted by rrebell on Saturday, September 21, 2019 10:04 AM

There are fine paints manufactured in Italy or if you have a freind you can pick up what you want when they travel.

  • Member since
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  • From: Clinton, MO, US
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Posted by Medina1128 on Sunday, September 22, 2019 8:18 AM

When making a wash using acrylics, I find that I get better results with 70% rubbing alcohol as it flows into the nooks and crannies better than water. When using water, I'd add a little more detergent than normal.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 6:11 AM

I use the washes made by Citadel with excellent results. They are water soluable and ready to use.

.

-Kevin

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Living the dream.

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