Pin Wash - Am I Doing it Wrong?

[GangsterNo1]

I'd like opinion on using pin washes as I'm beginning to be unhappy with what I'm seeing on my models. I know they are an established technique but the results I'm getting are making me not want to use them. Does anyone else not bother using them when details pop nicely anyway?

I recently had a go at colour modulation on an IS3 tank and I was really happy with the paint job. I'm still a noob but this was the first time I had done something with my airbrush that I was truely happy with and felt looked semi-pro. I then did 2 thin coats of aqua gloss and proceeded to pin wash (normally would have done decals first but this is a World of Tanks model and so decals are limited to a couple of stars). For the pin wash I used a AK dark brown enamel wash for green vehicles. I was very careful, using capillary action rather than brushing all over to minimise clean up. After clean up the model just looks dirty and a lot of the crispness of the original paint job has gone. What am I doing wrong? Am I not getting a thick enough gloss coat to stop wash adhering like it would on a matt surface? Am I not cleaning up properly? See photos below.

Pre-wash rear


Post wash rear


Pre-wash front


Post wash front

[cptgandy]

I think it looks great and I love the way the dirt runs down from the periscope on the front of the turret as for the shiny surface, all most every tank in the real world would of not been glossy ( I know there was a couple ) so ending with a flat surface is a good thing.

If it was me doing the weathering I would add some chipping and then rust streaks and some fuel and oil stains as that would add a bit more color in the weathering process.

[RobertK]

I actually think the washed version looks good! The highlights and shadows blends and looks natural with the base color.

[OliveDrab]

By the looks of the pictures, you are not doing anything wrong. It looks like the pin wash has darkened and dirtied the treated areas as it is designed to do. Just my opinion but I think it looks quite good Never less, if you feel the effect was too strong, you could try a lighter application (less wash applied), or remove more of the wash during cleanup with slightly more thinner. Another factor is how far do you want to weather your model. Additional "dot" filters, chipping, streaking, staining, pigments....could be done and would alter the previous steps applied too.
In any case, its your model and how you finish it is entirely up to you, as long as you have Fun!

[schweinhund227]

what I see is perfect.... no worries !

[Lee]

Looks good to me bud

[GangsterNo1]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it. I think I just feel like I ruined the paint job that I was proud of. I feel like I shouldn't have done the pin wash as the detail looked good as it was. Maybe I just should have varnished it and left it. Do you guys always do a pin wash??

On my first couple of models back after starting the hobby again, I went too heavy on the weathering and chipping, so I wanted a much more pristine, clean look on this one.

[schweinhund227]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it. I think I just feel like I ruined the paint job that I was proud of. I feel like I shouldn't have done the pin wash as the detail looked good as it was. Maybe I just should have varnished it and left it. Do you guys always do a pin wash??

On my first couple of models back after starting the hobby again, I went too heavy on the weathering and chipping, so I wanted a much more pristine, clean look on this one.

after your paint ... Gloss coat using Alclad Aqua Gloss... ACL-600
let dry completely... add decals.... Gloss coat or Semi gloss then you can pin wash, dot filter and what ever you fancy.... while your hard work is protected under the Gloss coat....


That's an awesome looking model by the way... very nice indeed !

[Lee]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it. I think I just feel like I ruined the paint job that I was proud of. I feel like I shouldn't have done the pin wash as the detail looked good as it was. Maybe I just should have varnished it and left it. Do you guys always do a pin wash??

On my first couple of models back after starting the hobby again, I went too heavy on the weathering and chipping, so I wanted a much more pristine, clean look on this one.

after your paint ... Gloss coat using Alclad Aqua Gloss... ACL-600
let dry completely... add decals.... Gloss coat or Semi gloss then you can pin wash, dot filter and what ever you fancy.... while your hard work is protected under the Gloss coat....


That's an awesome looking model by the way... very nice indeed !

Adding to Norm's post, where he says completely, I would recommend 24 hours at least before you start messing about on it

[CharleyGnarlyP290]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it. I think I just feel like I ruined the paint job that I was proud of. I feel like I shouldn't have done the pin wash as the detail looked good as it was. Maybe I just should have varnished it and left it. Do you guys always do a pin wash??

On my first couple of models back after starting the hobby again, I went too heavy on the weathering and chipping, so I wanted a much more pristine, clean look on this one.

I agree! That turned out great.
Maybe your opinion is psychological in nature. You tried a new technique (modulation) and really liked the way it turned out. Then when you put the wash on you feel it ruined it, when in reality it was just the next step in what I think is an awesome result. I know I have done the same thing myself: thought I ruined something, but after letting it sit on the shelf for a few days, and then give it another look, realize it turned out better than I initially thought.

[schweinhund227]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it. I think I just feel like I ruined the paint job that I was proud of. I feel like I shouldn't have done the pin wash as the detail looked good as it was. Maybe I just should have varnished it and left it. Do you guys always do a pin wash??

On my first couple of models back after starting the hobby again, I went too heavy on the weathering and chipping, so I wanted a much more pristine, clean look on this one.

after your paint ... Gloss coat using Alclad Aqua Gloss... ACL-600
let dry completely... add decals.... Gloss coat or Semi gloss then you can pin wash, dot filter and what ever you fancy.... while your hard work is protected under the Gloss coat....


That's an awesome looking model by the way... very nice indeed !

Adding to Norm's post, where he says completely, I would recommend 24 hours at least before you start messing about on it

Thank you Lee !

Cured is what I really meant ! so I back up what you have mentioned 100%

[chief5437]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it. I think I just feel like I ruined the paint job that I was proud of. I feel like I shouldn't have done the pin wash as the detail looked good as it was. Maybe I just should have varnished it and left it. Do you guys always do a pin wash??

On my first couple of models back after starting the hobby again, I went too heavy on the weathering and chipping, so I wanted a much more pristine, clean look on this one.

I agree! That turned out great.
Maybe your opinion is psychological in nature. You tried a new technique (modulation) and really liked the way it turned out. Then when you put the wash on you feel it ruined it, when in reality it was just the next step in what I think is an awesome result. I know I have done the same thing myself: thought I ruined something, but after letting it sit on the shelf for a few days, and then give it another look, realize it turned out better than I initially thought.

I think this is a good point ^^

With so many different stages to the weathering process, it's sometimes hard to think how each one will alter the previous effect.
Sometimes for green vehicles I use a dark green wash rather than a brown, it still pops the details but without so much contrast. You may find that your final matt coat will lighten things up a bit and that dark brown won't be so prominent.

Looks great though buddy, hope you start to like it!

[GangsterNo1]

Cheers for all the comments guys. I shall try some of the suggestions.

[RobBye]

I think it looks fine so far. May I ask what you're using for your pin wash?

I have all four flavours of Tamiya's panel line wash, which does what I want it to do, but it leaves a bit of a dot right where the applicator brush touches the surface. I always have to remember to wipe those dots away as I go along. Is there a better practice I should be following?

[GangsterNo1]

I think it looks fine so far. May I ask what you're using for your pin wash?

I have all four flavours of Tamiya's panel line wash, which does what I want it to do, but it leaves a bit of a dot right where the applicator brush touches the surface. I always have to remember to wipe those dots away as I go along. Is there a better practice I should be following?

I'm using an AK dark brown enamel wash after a couple of coats of Aqua Gloss. Cleaning up after pin washes is pretty standard so I dont think you're doing anything wrong. Most people leave the wash to dry and then use the relevant solvent / thinner for the wash medium, e.g. with the enamel wash I'm using, I clean up with oil colour thinners using either a brush for very precise control and/or a cotton bud for bigger areas.

[Madmattmodels89]

The actual result on your model is stunning my friend! You did every step right!

When I tried for the first time the oil dot filter I thought I completely ruined my color modulation instead after a closer look realized i unintentionally achieved a new (to me) look for streaking dust and rain!

Keep up the great work!

[Joe]

Personally, I would be happy with those results! Looks awesome! NOTE: The Aqua Gloss (which I am a big fan of and use it frequently) which you applied afterwards will make your paint job look darker until you are ready to apply your flat finish. Once that is done you may see that the color modulation you were so happy with earlier return. I think your issue maybe only temporary.

Joe

[rm6239]

I think CharleyGnarly hit the nail on the head there. I have recently had the same situation as you mention, I'd built a Dicker Max, German Grey being the colour of choice , and like you I would probably put it down as one of my best results with the AB, the pre-shading, the post shading, fading, colour modulation, tonal changes, everything turned out exactly how I envisioned. It looked good as it was and I was very tempted just to leave it as is but it still had a toyish look and we strive for realism.

Looking at the big picture that great paint job, is just the beginning of your weathering journey and think of it this way, you will get such a more realistic result starting from that great paint job, than if it was just a monotone green.

So grab some photos of the great paint job and go on to the next step.

The paint job looked great, but the pictures after the pin wash started to make it look real.

cheers
Rossco

[CharleyGnarlyP290]

"So grab some photos of the great paint job and go on to the next step." rm6239

Exactly what I was going to add.

[chalkyw]

Like everyone else has said it looks like you've done a great job.....it looked weird the first time I tried a wash too

[GangsterNo1]

All finished and I'm pretty happy with it now.