Oil wash problem

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**stevieboy573**

Ok so I'm trying out mixing up some oil washes. Looks fine when initially applied doing a pin wash but dries to some light grey residue in the recesses? Anyone know what's up with that? Was getting the same result with different thinners and oils. Did I not leave the varnish long enough to cure? The colour is way off and much lighter than how it should be.

**Weazel**

If you are using water as a solvent you need to use purified (i.e. distilled) water. Tap water has a lot of minerals and impurities in it and they leave a light colored residue in recesses when dry.

If you're not using tap water then it's something else.

**stevieboy573**

Weazel wrote:
If you are using water as a solvent you need to use purified (i.e. distilled) water. Tap water has a lot of minerals and impurities in it and they leave a light colored residue in recesses when dry.

If you're not using tap water then it's something else.

Oil washes as in derived from oil paint not nuln oil.

**jonolikespie**

Never seen that happen with oils. Only thing I can suggest is grabbing a new paint of the same brand and testing it both on the same model and on a new test, see if that helps you determine if the paint is the problem, the model is the problem, or if something has gone wrong as you've mixed it.

**Weazel**

stevieboy573 wrote:
Weazel wrote:
If you are using water as a solvent you need to use purified (i.e. distilled) water. Tap water has a lot of minerals and impurities in it and they leave a light colored residue in recesses when dry.

If you're not using tap water then it's something else.

Oil washes as in derived from oil paint not nuln oil.

Well that much I gathered. But I don't know how you dilute oil paints so I just said that tap water can produce that effect. If water is not a part of the process then it's something else, like I said as well.

**stevieboy573**

jonolikespie wrote:
Never seen that happen with oils. Only thing I can suggest is grabbing a new paint of the same brand and testing it both on the same model and on a new test, see if that helps you determine if the paint is the problem, the model is the problem, or if something has gone wrong as you've mixed it.

Yeah I tried all sorts of combos and it kept happening so must be something to do with the clear coat. Worked as normal on an unvarnished mini so not too sure what's up.

**jonolikespie**

How long did you leave the varnish to dry and what brand was it?

**stevieboy573**

Vallejo gloss polyurethane. 4 hours or so I guess.

**jonolikespie**

Maybe try 24 next time. I typically give it that long before I apply oils or enamels just to be extra safe. 12 is probably plenty too, but I'd guess your problem was that it wasn't long enough.

**Andykp**

If the humidity is high or it’s too cold varnish drys like that. It’s the paint. I use a hair dryer to dry my varnish now as quick as possible, less chance of it clouding.
Also I wouldn’t bother using oils on infantry, it’s a lot of hassle and I don’t think you will notice much of a difference from a standard wash. I know some top painters do but what standard are hoping to achieve, golden demon winning or good on the battlefield? Love them on vehicles and terrain though, cheap as chips too.

**jonolikespie**

I like using oil pin washes on my marines. Doing darker than average Blood Angels I like the way I can wash them with a purple to add shadows and a gradient to the armour, then I can go over that with the black oils to really define the darker shadows and the lines between armour plates.

**Andykp**

I have seen some impressive results with oil I just find them a faff. The smell of thinners and the mess. You get a lot more control agreed. Maybe I will have to try some on some marines. See how it goes.

**Crispy78**

I'd guess that the varnish wasn't fully cured, and where the oil wash has pooled in the recesses, the thinner has attacked the varnish.

**Kalamadea**

I think it's the varnish, I'd guess that the vallejo doesn't like whatever you're using to thin the oil paint. I haven't had any issues at all with vallejo paints and oil washes, but the varnish may be soluble.

Try Future Floor Finish/Pledge with Future shine (name keeps changing, see this link to see what is in your area). It's acrylic based so the oils and thinner don't mix at all. I've been using it for years with no issues, I can do an oil wash over it in a couple minutes if I use a hair dryer and it's a great gloss base for doing decals over. It's pretty great stuff, been a staple of the modelbuilding community for decades.

You mentioned you tried different thinners, I can't recommend Odorless Mineral Spirits enough (AKA White Spirit). I use Weber's Odorless Turpenoid, not much more expensive than regular paint thinner and no real odor at all.

**Andykp**

I was cheap and bought standard decorators white spirit. Tenth of the price but absolutely stinks. Which jphad put me off oils. If I use them the house stinks of terms for days. Another change I could make. Def going to give oils a bit more of a go I think.