Welcome to this Gorilla Tutorial, where I'm going to discuss how to use enamel weathering products to make pin washes.

This week I'm hard on my 1:72 scale WW1 Mk.A Whippet, and I'm trying out a new technique using products from AK Interactive called pin washing. This is when you apply a thin wash to the recessed areas of a model, such as panel lines, and around raised details like rivets to create shading and depth while also defining the detail.

Once the model had been primed and basecoated with acrylic paints we can get started on the pin-wash. Choose a streaking grime which suits the base colour of your model, for instance if your model is a light colour like white or cream use interior streaking grime, if its a darker shade or green like mine use dark streaking grime.

Thin down the streaking grime with some enamel solvent like odourless turpentine, its available from hardware or art supply stores. Then using a fine detail brush apply it to the recessed areas and on rivets. The pin-wash will flow naturally along panel lines and joins with little effort.

Then simply use a brush dampened with thinner or white spirit to clean up any flat areas where the wash is sitting. As the pin-wash is an enamel base you won't affect the base colours underneaths as long as they are acrylic. Then give the model plenty of time to dry, around 24 hours, before using any more enamel products.

Just be sure to work in a well ventilated area when you're using enamel products. Check out our AK Interactive Store for all you're weathering supplies needs. Their Weathering FAQ and Weathering Magazines are full of tips and techniques like pin-washing to take your painting to the next level.