i read somewhere about using a clear laquer to coat over acrylics before weathering, and then using nail polish remover or something like that on a q-tip to gently rub away the weathering coat until the desired effect is achieved... as you can see, i dont recall it very well, and i was hoping someone knew more about this than i do before i try it :-)

well as i recall the clear coat was to avoid silvering with the decals, and to protect the base coat in the wash step of wearthering. but i never heard of removing it with nail polish remover before. hope that helps stug

I think you mean using a q-tip to remove excess wash? If so then the clearcoat would help protect the base finish. That's most important if you are using enamel paints. I've been told it isn't needed with acrylic paints/ oil washes, but I always clearcoat just to be safe. Most often I only apply a pin, or spot wash.....that's only to the areas you want to enhance, not a blanket coat over the entire model.

In my experience, using enamels, I never use a clear coat for washes. I let the enamel base coat dry for 72 hours and wash using humbrol thinner. This has never damaged the base coat. Pin washes and overall washes shouldnt be a problem. I only use gloss clear coats for decals and only clear coat the area where the decal is to be attached. I use both humbrol enamels and oils for washes. I dont have that much experience with acrylics so I´ll leaves somebody else to help you there.
For an overall wash, the wash should be more like coloured thinner than thin paint. Pin washes I add a little more paint. I guess the q-tips are used to dry up washes in flat areas or excess wash. Hope this helps. E-mail me if you need more help!

I use humbrol thinner and oils mixed for washes. I never had any paint to lift up under it. I use the Q tips to soak up the excess thinner.

Acrylics can be used for washes, nut only on small areas due to the faster drying time, I use them for 1/35th figures. For vehicles white spirit, oil and enamel paints.
As I paint the model in acrylics the wash will not attack the base coat even if it is only touch dry!!!!!!!!

I never heard of using nail polish remover to clean the weathering to achive some desired effect. I think that using it you could ruin the job because the nail polish is generaly acetone based.
Just follow the well known process of weathering, that is: painting, applying oil or enemels washes, clear coating, shadow washes, drybrushing, matt coating and dusting.
You can remove the excess of wash using a dry soft brush or a clean Q tip.