Introduction

Often in the modelling world we come across finishing the interior to armor related subjects. Many of these interior are finished in and off white coloring, varying in shade. Some of the German armor from the WWII period was finished this way and to specifications set forth by the High Command; Cremeweiß or Cremeweiss. This is an off white coloring used on the interior of most Panzers during the war. In some variations the off white coloring is used to this day in many modern vehicles. As we know, all of these vehicles have been or are being used, abused and see plenty of action; this means the interior can be weathered pretty good in a very short time.

I recently had the opportunity to test drive one of AK Interactive’s Weathering Sets; The Interior Weathering Set AK 091. This set comes in a clear acetate package containing three plastic bottle; One 17ml bottle of Paint and two 35ml bottles of weathering effects.

Contents

- AK 092 – RAL 9001 Cremeweiss
- AK 093 – Interior Wash
- AK 094 – Streaking grime for interiors

The Interior Weathering Set from AK Interactive is a somewhat all-inclusive as it comes with the base color used on most German armor built in the Second World War and two bottles of weathering effects to help complete the look of a weathered interior.

Review

The AK 901 Cremeweiss paint in this set is based on the RAL coloring charts and the color listed as RAL 9001. This off-white color is a paint that can be airbrushed as well as used with brush applications. After pulling out and priming a test card I made up, I loaded up some paint and took it for a whirl. Without mixing any thinner to the paint, I found that it shoots well through the ole airbrush; smooth and clean. The paint dries to a satin finish and the coloring appears to be spot on to the realm of interior armor coloring.

After sufficient drying time of the paint and a quick clear coat to protect the work I had done, it was time to take the effect out for a drive. The application of a coat of wash can soften colors as well as accentuate the paint and features attached to the model. From a personal stand point, I found that with many of the effect on the market today can be applied in many different ways depending on what I am working on as well as what kind of effect I am looking for. With that said, I like to cut my pre-mixed washes about 50%. This allows me to work them more as a filter rather than a wash. I used some of AK Interactive’s White Spirits to dilute the AK 093 Interior Wash. This was applied throughout the entire piece. This breaks the starch look that can be seen sometime from freshly laid paint. With these enamel based effects, if you put too much on and even if it has dried for a short time, you can still manipulate the surface with the reconstitution of more white spirits to remove or alter what you have done. After my application of the light wash, I took a clean, smooth, flat brush barely damp with thinner and pulling in one direction only, lightly drew the paint brush across the surface to level out my application.

Next stop on the Interior Wash ride was applying a heavier stained look to certain points on what I was working on. Using a small tipped brush to pinpoint the application, I applied the non-thinned wash into crevices and areas I would think would be more heavily weathered. Allowing it too dry for five to ten minutes, I took a large soft bristled brush and lightly stabbed the application areas to soften the edges of the effects I applied, essentially “working the area”. Again, if I had put too much on, I could simple remove what I with thinning medium and start over. For a less weathered vehicle or area inside a vehicle, the Interior Wash would work well simply by itself.

Once the washes had a chance to dry, it was time to have at the Streaking Grim for Interiors – AK 094. This is another one of the effects that has a multitude of applications. By thinning this effect you can use this for full and pin washes as well as for creating streak marks on the interior surfaces. The first application is to apply the Streaking Grime into the crevices. For areas where there will be streaking, I made small random lines with the effect. After applying the effect, I waited about five minutes or so before moving on to making the full streaking marks. I took a clean flat brush barely damp with White Spirits I began to pull the effect streaking down in one direction wiping off the brush periodically to keep it clean. This effect works excellent for creating streaking effects.

The second application is for light streaking applications. On another section of my test card that I had previously applied a light wash to, I placed several small dots of both the Interior Wash and Streaking Grime for Interiors. Taking the same flat brush as before, I drew the brush straight down lightly until I get my desired effect I was looking for.

The Cremeweiss paint included in this set is a water base paint and clean-up is easy with soap and water. The two effects, Interior Wash and Streaking Grime for Interiors clean up with AK Interactive’s White Spirits or any suitable solvent based mineral spirits.

Conclusion

Being a fan of most wreathing products on the market today I feel that AK Interactive’s Interior Weathering Set AK 091 is a fine addition to anyone’s bench especially if you work on interior finishes within the German Armor genre of building. The Cremeweiss paint color is a close match to what is indicative of the interiors of most German armor from the WWII time period. The paint is easy to apply; the color looks great and clean-up is not problematic at all. The effects are easy to use and have many uses outside the use just on the interiors of a build. These can be used as full washes, pin washes, streaking and adding shadow effect to many surfaces. Clean up is simple with any mineral spirits as well as AK Interactive’s own White Spirits.

These enamel based weathering products, like many in the market today, work very similar to oil paints where as they can be manipulated after the application and in many case after drying. Since a small amount of the product is needed to achieve the weathering look, this means a bottle that is purchased will last a long time making this a good value in my mind. This set costs $12.70 US/ £9.20 which is not bad for three products of this quality and the amount of uses that you will get from them. When I add the multiple application use, price, finish look and clean-up I have to give this product two thumbs up!

I highly recommend the Interior Weathering Set from AK Interactive!