WASHES

Enamel washes offer one of the quickest and simplest means of weathering locomotives, rolling stock and buildings. Available in all manner of shades, the MIG range is one of my favourites. Simply shake the jar thoroughly and apply to the surface with a brush. Depending on how grubby you wish to make something appear, the washes can be built up in layers with a fine brush to introduce streaking and staining effects.

Washes are great for bringing out the surface relief on locomotives, carriages and wagons without necessarily making them appear dirty. Rather, they can suggest ingrained dirt trapped in recesses or those areas where the cleaners can’t reach. Having a mix of black, grey and brown washes on hand will allow shades to be tailored to suit specific tasks. Most washes dry to a matt finish, but oil effect versions create a suitably greasy sheen that’s perfect for coupling rods, axleboxes, fuel tanks and buffers.

The washes are slow drying, allowing plenty of time for manipulation and they’re safe for use on factory finishes and acrylic paints or varnishes, provided they’re completely dry. If working over an enamel finish, an intermediate coat of acrylic varnish is recommended. The washes can be manipulated or removed completely with a swab dipped in a jar of complementary thinners (to suit your range of washes) or white spirit. Do not use enamel thinners designed for thinning paint for spraying, as these are too harsh and may damage the model’s surface.