Lead Adventure Forum

Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: beefcake on 15 January 2024, 07:48:26 AM

Title: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: beefcake on 15 January 2024, 07:48:26 AM
Hi all,
I used to love the old Secret Weapon Armor Wash paint but I think it is out of production and has been for some time.
I'm after some recommendations for a good armor wash to quickly paint up plate and/or mailed miniatures. The Secret Weapon one was quite a dark grey tone to it but thats not a deal breaker. I'm after what looks best (feel free to post any pictures to show the effectiveness if you really want to sell it :)
Any recommendations out there?
Title: Re: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: JollyBob on 15 January 2024, 10:04:28 AM
I like the Coat d'Arms armour wash, although that is more of an  ink and therefore quite dark.

I find it a lovely bluey, grayish black that works well.
Title: Re: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: beefcake on 15 January 2024, 07:23:47 PM
Might be a good start, thanks.
Title: Re: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: Elbows on 15 January 2024, 09:13:12 PM
Hmmmm...what is the Secret Weapon stuff like?

I use Army Painter Strong Tone on almost everything, but it's a dark brown and a "typical" wash.  I use a lot of the Vallejo Armour Washes...which aren't really washes, but rather filters.  They have a bunch of colours, but again they don't pool in recesses much, really just a filter that changes the colour slightly.  I have some of Duncan Rhode's "Two Thin Coats" washes and they're okay, though they don't seek the recesses as much as Strong Tone or GW's products...I think they're more intended to bathe the whole model and then apply more paint over top.  He has a black colour available as well.

I have one of the Pro Acryl washes and it's decent - I believe they may have some black options available.  I have a basic Vallejo black wash but haven't used it in a loooong time so I can't tell you how it works.

AK Interactive has a bunch of washes, but some are enamel and I haven't been able to try any of theirs yet.
Title: Re: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: Codsticker on 18 January 2024, 02:07:54 AM
 Have been using been using Basilicanum Grey contrast paint, slightly thinned. It's on the thicker, less ink-like contrast paints.
Title: Re: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: ced1106 on 18 January 2024, 02:57:23 AM
Unfortunately, SWM went out of business b/c of the pandemic.

I've been using dark wash for the armor wash, but SWM's armor wash had some brown in it, so had a different effect.

Here's Les Bursley's recipes, but, even though SWM licensed the recipe from Les, it's not the same. ):

I'm looking for a good Stone wash to replace SWM, myself. The recipe did not work for me.

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/261541.page
Title: Re: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: beefcake on 18 January 2024, 07:37:52 AM
Thanks all, I'm not really a fan of the army painter tones other than for terrain in the big tubs, but they take a long time to dry. I have the squeezy bottle for use on leather mud and cloth.
I think I have bassilicanum grey in contrasts so I'll give that a go.
A shame about SW going out of business, they had some nice products.
Title: Re: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: Easy E on 18 January 2024, 03:30:56 PM
Could try taking a a cheap acrylic dark blue from a big box retailer and watering it down a lot?  Maybe mix in a few other colors as desired as well?   

I have a feeling your needs are a bit more demaning than that
Title: Re: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: Pattus Magnus on 18 January 2024, 04:58:30 PM
If you try making your own wash, Paynes Grey artist’s acrylic might be a pigment worth trying. It is very dark, near black, but has a bluish tint. I haven’t tried it myself for a wash on armour, though.
Title: Re: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: Aaron on 19 January 2024, 01:51:34 PM
I'll second the Payne's Grey suggestion. I've never found anything better in 30-some years for armor. It does well on blues, greys, and whites also.
Title: Re: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: Ran The Cid on 19 January 2024, 08:06:38 PM
Reaper Grey Liner.  Just tried it out for you.  Looking good over silver.  Has that Paynes Grey blue/black color.
Title: Re: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: jeffreythancock on 20 January 2024, 03:21:59 AM
I use Payne's Grey acrylic ink, and my current bottle is from Daler Rowney.  If I want it darker I add a drop of carbon black acrylic ink.  On my last bottle of Pledge Acrylic floor wax though, so I'll be looking for alternatives, too.
Title: Re: Help, I'm out of armor wash!
Post by: Ran The Cid on 21 January 2024, 03:18:09 PM
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=575199 floor wax replacement thread