"filters" Topic

Somebody suggested I could use a mig ammo 'filter' to 'tone down' some hanomags I painted for my wife years ago. I'd never heard of filters, so any advice/thoughts? The Hanomags are painted in Vallejo acrylics but I can't remember what sort of varnish I used.

Filters are the new marketing name for washes. You know those washes that we have been using for 50 years or so…………….. MIG ones are very nice indeed. Just go easy with them very easy to end up with a muddy look. And best if acrylic sealed with a varnish before using filters. Model acrylics dry with a surface like sandpaper so tend to grip onto too much wash hence the muddy look. The varnish allows the wash to flow over the main body and collect in cracks/panel lines etc. A small amount of the wash will tint the main body so toning things down generally.
L

You might find these articles of interest:

missing-lynx.com/rareworld.htm

Much obliged…as ever.

The Vallejo Washes are also very nice, really make a difference in vehicles.

Heck, I rattle-canned some Hanomags in Army Painter Late War German Armor (matches Vallejo Middlestone), and hit them with a wash of Dark Yellow Wash, job's done.

just make your own with oil paint and mineral spirits wayyyyy cheaper.

in current modelling parlance a wash and a filter are slightly different, at least in use if not formula. The wash is designed to pool in cracks, a filter (as in the context of the original post) is designed to tone down/de-contrast as a single (or multiple) layer. It works well on multicamo schemes to bring the colours together, whereas the wash will highlight the details, subtly different results.

Thanks Troop; that sounds like just what is required, so I'll try a filter. I gather there's loads of different ones, so which would you recommend? Most of SWMBO's tanks/hanomags are Vallejo green ochre/flat (or maybe earth) brown/redactive green. No airbrush…are filters brushable?

@ufb,

This might also be of interest to you:

link

Indeed! I've ordered some Mig Ammo stuff specifically made for 3-colour German camo, so we'll see how that goes.
Many thanks for your interest.

I've ordered some Mig Ammo stuff specifically made for 3-colour German camo…

That's a product I am quite interested in trying myself. Would like to see how you get on with it.

I'll try to remember to post something here, but lest I forget (not impossible in my experience) you can remind me – mail me at…
thathistorybloke@outlook.com

@UFB: The Vallejo washes are thinned for airbrushing, but I use a normal brush and haven't had any problems with them.

Haven't used the MIG Ammo products, sorry.

Thanks again Lion, that's twice in one day…people will talk…..

Filter seems quite good..even on my paint jobs.