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Has anyone had luck with premixing oil washes? I have a few empty bottles and thought it could save me some time to have a small bit mixed up and ready to do.

Don't see much benefit, personally. Oil washes separate so quickly that you often have to stir during use. If they've been stored, you're basically starting from scratch, each time, as the pigment will have settled out completely.

I normally premix everything.

Whenever I start a project, I do color tests. Once I figure out my colors, I'll premix everything that I will need (plus a bit extra) including oil washes, primers and the like.

You will likely need to shake them a good bit before use - but the big advantage for me is consistency. Depending on how I am working on the project, I might do a unit and a transport in one go - and not get back around to doing another unit and transport for a few months (or buildings or whatever...). Since I prefer uniformity, even in my weathering, I don't want to have to mess around with trying to get a color formula just right again.

Granted, if it is something basic (like out of the tube black thinned down...) - I may not bother and just take note of the Brand and type of paint used. However, quite often it is a bit of black, bit of blue, with a hint of red... Getting the hints and bits just right can be rather annoying for my OCD.

 oadie wrote:
Don't see much benefit, personally. Oil washes separate so quickly that you often have to stir during use. If they've been stored, you're basically starting from scratch, each time, as the pigment will have settled out completely.

This 100%. I tried keeping a small amount in a well sealed glass jar and months later it just wasn't the same as when made fresh.

MiG makes a series of enamel washes and filters that I like to use

http://migproductions.com/2010/11/washes-and-filters/

I have ....and they dried out.

Of course, others may use better storage bottles.

Now, I just keep a dropper bottle with mineral spirits in my painting area, and its fast to mix.

(as opposed to the bigger bottle kept in the garage).

Best of luck!