I need to get straight on applying a wash to my models. I have a friend that does a wash he got from Fine Scale Modeler Mag. It says to make a wash out of paint, dish soap and water and to apply a lacquer gloss coat. I dont want a gloss on german armor and this wash seems kinda strange. I use acrylic paint also so I guess I need to use an enamal coat. I have a book that says to use a mixture of 20% paint and 80% thinner to make a wash but thats for modelers using enamal paint not acrylic like me. So would I apply an enamal wash? And should you put a dull, semi, or gloss coat or any on before you do the wash. Do I need to apply the decals then do the wash or what. I guess what I'm really asking is when is the best time to apply the wash? I know thats a load of question but I need to figure this wash thing out. Please help!

If you're doing wash on acrylics use an acrylic wash. Just thin the paint with either water, manufacture's recommended, alcohol (rubbing) or windshield washer fluid. Which ever you're most comfortable with. A good ratio is 10% paint to 90% thinner.
It's best to give the model a gloss coat before a wash with something like Future. It helps the wash flow into the panel lines and around raised details like rivets and such. It's also a good idea to gloss the model before applying decals. This helps the decals set on the model w/o the silvering that comes from applying them to flat surfaces.
Apply the decals after the gloss coat and before the wash. Just be sure to use a decal setting solution like Solva Set, and one more coat of the gloss to protect the decal from the wash getting under it.
Some people wash the entire model, while some find it's best to pick out the details to be washed.
When done washing, just apply a flat coat to seal it all in and give you back the flat model you want.

Hi DSM,

I also using mostly acrylic for painting my models, so I will share my experience with you.

Once I got all the paintings done. I apply first a gloss coat of the whole model, once it's dried up (maybe takes about 5 to 6 hours), I apply decals, the reason for the gloss coating is that the decals seems to stick to gloss finish better, once the decal is set, I apply another coat of gloss coating to seal the decals in. The second coating serves as a mean to both seal the decal as well as give the wash a smooth surface to flow on.

I then using about 90% turpetine, and 10% oil paint to get a kinda dirtied turpetine. I use a dark brown color for my German Armors. Then just applies the washes to whole vehicle, I know lots of other people doing localized washes, But I apply general one, because I like my tank looked dirty and it also helps to blending the camos and tune down the colors a bit.

After the wash dried up, I then apply a matt coat. So basicly now you are done with washing. HTH.

Lord Kencelot, I must been typing the reply same time as you do, because after I posted it, just saw yours there too, god! great minds think alike!!!!! #:-) #:-) #:-)

Dave, that's the third time thats happened to me...birds of a feather flock together. :-)

Thanks alot you guys! That really cleared things up. I'll try them out and see how it works. This is gonna be my first attempt so wish me luck. Thanks again!!

Good luck my friend, once you tried it you would love the effect. And while you at it, may I suggest that you also use some pastel chalk after the matt coat to do some further weathering...You gonna like it. Have Fun!