Hello,

Returning to the hobby after many years and pleasantly surprised to see acrylic paints. I have done a lot of reading about weathering and paint combinations, but am not sure I have found the definitive answer to a few questions I have..

I will be painting base colours with Acrylics (starting with tamiya which I already bought).
Can I use Future as a gloss coat?
How long should I let the acrylics dry/cure before applying Future?
2 light coats of Future enough?
Should I be using something other than Future?
I have seen washes using Mineral Spirits as main ingredient I think this one is safe choice.
What should I be using for a matt coat once I have washed? Should I wait a couple days after the wash step to dull coat?
Dry brushing: What type of paint should I use? Does the type of dull coat dictate this?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

SKurj

Very good questions. I will be anxiously awaiting the answers to your questions also.

Hello Martyn,
Welcome back to the hobby, and welcome to Armorama.. Lets see if I can help you out.. First here is a link Future
That should answer all your questions concerning Future.. Now Im have never used future as a finish coat, so I cant comment on that. I use acrylics as well, normally I like to give them 24 hours to cure, but if you can get them down thin enough, a second coat is possible in the same sitting.... I have seen a base coat, preshading and a finish coat done in under 1 hour with no ill effects..
2 light coats of future should be adequate to protect your paint.
ive read folks using turps, mineral spirits isopropyl alcohol windex and water to thin paint for washes..
Use what ever you like, or have access to for your dull coat.. I use testors in a can.. Humbrol makes a matt varnish as does Model Master.. Depending where you are, you should be able to find something to suit your needs..

As for drybrushing, really depends on "where " your model is..If its dusty, then a buff or sand colour would work, if you are drybrushing an OD uniorm you may use yellow.. I think you might use something that will compliment your paint job.. I really hope this helps.. Im sure others will jump in and offer more advice too.. have fun and I look forward to seeing some of your work...

Dave

Vallejo

Check this site too.. Look under the model colour section.. You will find an excellent assortment oh how to's with acrylics.. Might come in handy..

Dave

Thanks for the replies Dave,

I'll check that link. My question about dry-brushing wasn't the colour but the type of paint. Can I use oils?

Hi Martyn For dry brushing use enamels or oils, Acrylics are no good for this, why I dont know but I know you can blend and play with enamels and oils for longer. hope this helps

I've used oils before to drybrush, and they work fine, you can also use enamels like Humbrol. Acrylics do not work well for drybrushing becasue they dry too fast. I've also used the Daler-Rowney artists inks for washes, and it worked well as a "pin wash", but may not do well as an overall wash. I'm sure you will get many more good answers here, but the best way to learn is to do!
Good luck to you, and don't forget to have fun