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I'm about to start working on my tanks. They are base coated in Army Painter Gun Metal which I sprayed on, and now I'm about to take the plunge and paint em up.

I'm very worried about how to approach the wash. The large flat areas of the tank are very flat and smooth and lack texture, so I really feel like a wash is in order, but from my experience painting Ork tanks, washing tends to result in smears and blotches.
I really would prefer an even surface that has some texture and color variation, but avoid the brush strokes and smearing.

Here are a few shots of what I'd like to avoid




And here is one that is much closer to what I'd like to achieve.


Any of you have any advice on how to achieve a smoother, more natural looking result? Videos? Tutorials?

Thanks!

A coat of gloss varnish should help.

Have you also considered oil washing as well?

Apply the wash only where you want it, and then when it's applied, go back with a thirsty brush and drink it out of all the places it shouldn't be. If you don't know what a thirsty brush is, you should read up on it here and then try it out so you know what you're doing. I actually keep a few thirsty brushes ready in case something goes awry so I can fix whatever I'm painting right away.

Otherwise, the only suggestion i can offer is: don't wash it then.

Coat in gloss varnish then apply wash after it's dry. You can wipe off excess.

Satin varnish > oil wash (pin wash) >wipe excess with turpentine or white spirits> matt varnish

Thin the wash with either water or drying retarder/blending medium. Apply heavily to the bottom of the tank and work upwards. Should give a result like my vindi below. I know there are blotchy areas but theyre deliberate.
P.s. sorry for the dodgy tablecloth

Just put the wash in the bits you want with a small brush. Or wash the whole thing, then paint over any blotched areas.. Prettu standard for after any wash.

tomcat31 wrote:
Thin the wash with either water or drying retarder/blending medium. Apply heavily to the bottom of the tank and work upwards. Should give a result like my vindi below. I know there are blotchy areas but theyre deliberate.
P.s. sorry for the dodgy tablecloth

This is more or less what I was thinking, and your results are more or less what I'm looking for. Thanks for the post, and the pics.

No problem. Always happy to help a fellow son of perturabo. Lol