Streaking Grime opinions?

[jmatt]

Anyone have experience with the AK streaking Grimes? Do enamel grimes work well over acrylic paint?

Or can the same effects be achieved with a thicker oil wash?

[Augustus]

I've used the AK ones and they're OK but I find them a bit 'weak' and easy to wipe away completely. Instead of a thicker oil wash I use small dots of oil paint and wipe down with a brush damp with odourless thinner. You can also 'draw' very thin horizontal lines along things like weld seams and use the same process.

So in short the AK/Mig ones do work I just find it easier with oils.

[jmatt]

Instead of a thicker oil wash I use small dots of oil paint and wipe down with a brush damp with odourless thinner.

So, that's like a dot filter, yes?

[Augustus]

No, it's just the colour of the streaks you want. When using pre-made stuff you draw a line/s where you want the streaks. When I use oil, say Abteilung Engine Grease, I'll put a small blob of paint at the top of where the streak/s will be and the use a brush dampened with thinner and pull it downward through the blob so it elongates and gets thinner towards the bottom. You do this until you get the streaking effect you want, exactly as it would when using the pre-made. I just find it easier with oils as they are thicker and more controllable.

An oil dot filter uses different colours of paints which blend together to react with the paintwork giving a more overall effect than just streaks. At least that's my interpretation, I've only tried it on scrap.

You can do it whichever suits you best though. There's no rules, no rights or wrongs. I watch loads of vids and like to experiment.

[Stokesy44]

I've used the AK ones and they're OK but I find them a bit 'weak' and easy to wipe away completely. Instead of a thicker oil wash I use small dots of oil paint and wipe down with a brush damp with odourless thinner. You can also 'draw' very thin horizontal lines along things like weld seams and use the same process.

So in short the AK/Mig ones do work I just find it easier with oils.

I favour that method too. It also means I avoid having to buy another bespoke weathering product. I'm tight and proud of it.

[jmatt]

I'll put a small blob of paint at the top of where the streak/s will be and the use a brush dampened with thinner and pull it downward through the blob so it elongates and gets thinner towards the bottom. You do this until you get the streaking effect you want, exactly as it would when using the pre-made. I just find it easier with oils as they are thicker and more controllable.

Gotcha. I did something similar to this with the AK rust effects once, but I can see how a thicker oil paint would be more manageable.

[chief5437]

I agree, I bought some of the streaking grime, but found myself going back to the oils. Much more versatile and easier to use IMO.

[Panzermeister36]

Lots has already been said, but I'll give my two cents...

Oils are very good for streaking effects. I'm a huge fan of them. However I do also like AK Interactive's Streaking Grime as well as Ammo by Mig's Streaking Effects/Grime. They're pretty easy to use and they are nice colours. I do sometimes thin them down as an enamel pinwash too, since the tone is perfect for a german yellow subject.

[Kevthemodeller]

I'm a big fan of Ammo Mig got most of their washes, filters and streaking effects. I'm experimenting with Abteilung oils at present I'm finding these a lot more flexible in that you choose how thick/thin but they take a little more skill/experience. We're as with Ammo it's really just how thin without layering, also oils can be placed in the more awkward areas without running until your ready.

[schweinhund227]

to add to this conversation.... You should seal the effects you want to keep! after it has dried and cured !
seal with a satin acrylic clear coat and then you can keeping on adding more enamels weathering layers...

if you keep "watering down" the previous effects with more enamel products stacked on top of a previous weathering work... then no wonders it washes away ! Hot on Hot will create a gooey mess and basically muddy up your work. seal your work and create layers...

all those AK , AMMO and the likes ( convenience products ) can all be done with oils as previously expressed and in a sense that is where they were born... and conveniently packaged in such a way for the effects to be predictable and repeatable ! that is why I use them and
No alchemy involved....

Happy modeling and remember to have fun while doing it !

[Bissyboat]

I could get bogged down with all sorts, buying all the weathering tools from AK, but I find good use and results from just using Winsor & Newton oil paints and a brush dabbed in Whitespirit.