Vallejo - How Good Are The Washes?

[Mr. White]

I'm a big fan of Citadels washes and use them pretty extensively. However, a hobby shop opened up nearby and they only stock Vallejo. Wanting to give them my business I'll need to transition over to this other line of paints. They have both the 'model' and 'game' lines.

Looking at this pdf, they list some equivalent washes, so it's probably a good deal, but want to know if anyone has any experience I should head before I dive in. https://acrylicosvallejo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/vallejo-game-color-CC072_Rev17.pdf

[Charlie_]

I use the game colour flesh wash and umber wash extensively. I like them a lot!

I find with paints you've really just got to try them out yourself though. Especially when trying to find a colour match, you just got to bite the bullet and buy it, judge for yourself if its what you are looking for or not.

[katie]

I've got the VJ "black" and "sepia" model colour washes. They come in enormous jars and (because of my cack-handedness) have been decanted into little glass jars.

They're quite dense and need some diluting but work well.

[syrinx0]

I like my GW washes and inks and have a few generations of their releases. To me they are not significantly better than Vallejo. Especially considering the cost and size of the large bottles of Sepia &  Black.  I doubt I will ever run out of these.

[john Hollyoak]

The vast majority of my paints are Valleyo from the game and model ranges and I swear by them. Naturally i bought the washes when they came out. Have to say that I really struggled with them and the only one I use now is the grey. I much prefer the BE washes.
John

[Daeothar]

I use the Vallejo ones together with those from Army Painter, and they're both serving me well.

One thing I did run into with some of the older Vallejo washes is that when diluted with water, they would cloud over whitish when dry. But then they came out with a new formula and the problem was gone.

I had this especially with their black and green washes; the browns did not have this issue at all.

I also use their slightly larger bottles with flip top, and those are some great washes for terrain pieces or as base coats when painting with glazes and washes.

And then of course there are the large pots with screw on lids. I only have the black and sepia/brown ones, but I use those exclusively for bases and terrain. Doing an entire 4x6 table did put quite a dent into my first jar of sepia, but I was lucky enough to score a second one at Crisis 2019, so I'll be good for a bit longer

So yeah; Vallejo washes are pretty good in my experience and I use them a lot, but to be honest, I use my Army Painter Strong Tone the most these days.

[Dags]

Vallejo Smoke is one of my Must Have paints.... probably the only wash I use regularly

[Norm]

I find they need thinning.

[nazadsam]

I am pleased with them . But like someone did say earlier they need to get thinned. I would recommenced to try strong tone from AP to get among other washes . And dont forget they come in drop bottles which is huge plus for me

[Malebolgia]

Bought and used them, but felt they didn't perform very well. Not that nice even coverage you want from a wash and too thin. I'd rather have a thicker wash I can thin myself if I want.
If you're looking for washes then the Army Painter washes are the best in my book.

[Blackwolf]

I like to use my washes (unless I’m using them as thin paint) over a satin,or sometimes a gloss coat,very thin mind