filter?

[USSDETROIT]

I have been reading with great interest how to use MIG filters, the application would be on a Tamiya Sdkfz251/1 painted with Tamiya XF-73 flat german grey, MIG is very expensive however it is convienient.Question is can Tamiya acrylic be thinned down to be used as a filter? the MIG filter is enamel and therefore an advantage? my goal as a first time armor project is to practice on this inexpensive model, do some very light weathering with no mud.How can I make the bse coat XF-63 lighter to simulate a bit of fading? thanks for all past and future help:) MIG does have extensive weathering system and takes the guess work out of what color to use for washes and filters.

[golgotha]

Hi Mate,

The filter is a much more diluted form of a wash and is designed to be used to impart a tonal shift, making a colour more intersting, to show the effects of environmental issues upon a vehicle. In my opinion, whilst it is possible to use an acrylic paint for a filter, they dry very quickly, which is why an oil or enamel paint is easier to work with.

Any colour can be used as a filter, although on early war vehicles of the wehrmacht, blues, sepia, black or grey offer good results. During the later war years, where vehicles were based on Dunklegelb alone, or with either Rot-Braun and Olive Grun, browns, tans and yellows show the greatest effect. The effect is similar to using certain filters on camera lenses, to add to the colour interest, or in correcting effects in photography. Of course we can now use photoshop type programs to do this on screen, using digital images.

Where we use washes to create shadow, in highlighting things like cracks and crevices, around nuts and bolts and they are best used on a gloss surface, with filters the best base is a flat surface to allow the paint to grip the surface. Where a wash is quite a dense mixture of paint and thinners, for a filter, we really want tinted thinners. You apply this mixture across the whole surface of a vehicle in one run, aiming to lay colour down, but not use such a wet brush to create pooling, allow it to dry fully, about 2 hours and then redo the process, using the same or another colour tint, for as many times as you wish to achieve an effect you like.
The whole process is part of building up the look of a vehicle, to suit our planned scenario and is used along with washes, staining, pigments, chipping that we have in our arsenal, to make our kits look more visually exciting.

This link explains the science in using filters

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/primarycolors/colorfilters/index.html

If you have any more specific questions, I will be happier to explain further, but the subject itself could like much of our hobby command a novel, with each modeller, having their own preferences.

fading:- Although many people will use white, in grey I prefer to use flat flesh in the Tamiya paint range as it will not add a chalky look to the result. For fading, spray in a cloud pattern in the center of a panel and keep it out of an shadow areas, like under a turret.

Aye,

John

[USSDETROIT]

thanks for the info..your so kind:) I have some flat flesh on hand to add a small amount to the XF-63 and will experiment on some scrap.I will keep things simple and go with the MIG blue filter for german grey.Their web site is trashed and my PC security hs red flagged the sight so I am able to get only linmited info from MIG America, they make it easy for me by having specific filters and washes for many base paints.they do specificaaly mention what type of sheen be used before the filter or wash.

[golgotha]

Once again you are most welcome, it is great ton actually be able to assist somebody else. This all goes to making the site a great place to be.
With the fading etc, you could be bolder and use things like the German Field Blue, Buff, Deck Tan or any of the lighter shades of Grey, as they all go to making the base colour, more tonally interesting, before you start weathering with washes, filters etc. I say blue, because many people feel that there was a blue touch to the actual paint. It is White that really can make a mixture too stark.

Always pleased to help another,

Aye,

John

[USSDETROIT]

I did use the XF-13 with good results, my plan is to stay with German armor for awhile and try different shades of flat german grey.Makes sense to use blue to alter the shade of flat german grey since MIG reccomends a blue filter for.... you guessed it flat german grey. I bought some "the detailer" ready to use wash yesterday...it was 50% off at local shop,seems very much like promodeller" weathering wash, I will play with that, this site is great since it deals with the unique characteristics of Tamiya paint, I have 43 different bottles of the stuff!