Hi jtucker

To clear dilution doubts i suggest this link:

http://www.little-cars.co.uk/workbench49.pdf

For washes-filters, in my humble opinion, you should use enamels or oil colors. Acrylics paint dries too fast to obtain good results

I hope this will be helpful for you

Cheers

A wash would be 10% paint to 90% thinner as a rough guide.

J if you can give me a couple of days I will try and help you further. A wash is to unify paint colours, a filter is used to cause subtle changes in a base paint colour. To lighten a colour you really need to lighten the base paint colour and then make it darker via the application of filters, or attempt your own colour modulation method of paint application.

I could not open the link for some reason.operator error I think.so the testors model paints would work for washes?

One more question,then off to the bench.When using acrylics ,should a primer be used,or can they be applied to the bare plastic?

You cold try but if you won't use a primer coat, probably it could be better using Valleyo or Lifecolor paints which are less liquid than Tamiya one.

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You cold try but if you won't use a primer coat, probably it could be better using Valleyo or Lifecolor paints which are less liquid than Tamiya one.

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Sorry to disagree, but I find that Vallejo ModelColor, when thinned suitably (for both airbrushing and for brush painting), doesn't like to stick to bare plastic. I usually use a primer coat, ironically, using flat Tamiya acrylic paint.

Well Phil I really don't know. I have a different experience. When i have to paint small details with acrylics, I use Valleyo or (better)Lifecolors paints on bare plastic without any problem. Otherwise I've found very hard using tamiya colors with brush on bare plastic
Maybe it's a matter of different dilution

Regards

If brush painting with Tamiya acrylic, I find that if you thin it 1 part Tamiya X-20A thinner to three parts paint, it brushes much better (than out of the bottle). You get a longer drying time, allowing the paint to level better. As long as you follow the usual rules (like not overcoating a just dried/partially dry area of paint) you will find that it yields much better results.

So,if I do prime,after the primer dries should the parts be lightly sanded?What grit?

Next question,would it be better,until I get an airbrush,to do my base colour with tamiya spray paint.wich I beleive is lacquer based as it will bite into the plastic,and continue on from there with acrylics,for my wahes and stuff?

J due to the questions you are asking I suggets you invest in some of the how to DVD's on the market such as from AK interactive, the reason for this suggestion is every modellor has their own slight variation of just about everything they do. If you get a book or even a DVD it will give you an understanding and grounding in an aspect of the hobby that you can then add variations to make it your own.

J i don't think any of us mind answering questions but the problem is the written word can only help so much, pictures and movies can tell you a whole lot more in less time and impart better understanding.