i read a good article about weathering tank tracks in fine scale modeler. the guy used a wash in it that contained black, red brown adn alcohol. i tried to make it, but i couldent get the right ratios. anyone got any tips? thanks

If you are using alcohol, as I do too, I assume you are using some type of alcohol based acrylic like Tamiya. Correct? If not, that may be your problem. You need to use the right thinner for the right paint.

If that's what you are using, make a thin mixture of red brown, black, and alcohol in a thin consintancy. Much thinner than for brushing and a bit thinner than for airbrushing.

I would also tend to use a bit more of the red brown for a rusty effect, but this will depend on your base coat and how weathered you want the tracks to look.

But for washes I use thinned oil paints instead of the enamels. I use washed of oil with Turpenoid as the thinner. I think there is less chance of the Turpenoid reacting with your base coat than the alcohol.

Steve

For washes I use Tamiya paints and water. I do tend to do two or three coats because they are pretty thin.

As far as ratios go - I never measure track/weathering ratios - I go by how it looks. Because I go with thin washes and lots of coats I can adjust as I go.
I would recommend you mix it up as close to what you're looking for then dab a bit on a paper towel and see how it looks. Adjust the ratio and try again. Once you're almost there apply it to the kit. See how it looks there and adjust again.

I messed up wrong thinner with wrong paint and *******, u do not want to see what happened,
thank god fo the scalpel or my m4 would have been mutilated!