Gunpla Tutorial : The Reverse Wash Technique

[@Mustangman03gt]

Thank you for doing a video on this! From what I've seen on the forums, this gives the best looking results on the Sinanjus and Kshatriyas and their ilk vs the other techniques. It's a few more layers of paint than would normally be needed, but it's worth it. You cleared up a few of the things I wasn't quite clear on. Going to be starting on my MG Sinanju once I get the paint in.

[@shadowblack1987]

Been using that technique for years. It really makes it so much more simple.

[@TheGhostofZeon]

It is but lighter fluid isn't as harsh on the paint below than using thinners (plus, thinners are flammable too).

[@enduringstone]

That is cool as hell. I just built the sinanju a few weeks ago so it was cool to see this part in the tutorial.

[@1dogspartan5]

Mr. Topcoat is acrylic, not lacquer.

[@TheGhostofZeon]

It certainly does. Doing it all by hand is a bit of a chore but doing this is much easier.

[@Lastsight100]

Tamiya makes a pointed cotton bud, thats rather firm i use those for super small areas.

[@bilnabiln]

Thanks for the tutorial! Does this also work if you use an enamel spray can as opposed to airbrush?

[@PeonyObfuscated]

Would this work with acrylic black?

[@maudragon007]

How long do you allow the black paint to dry before cleaning it with the lighter fluid

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Not long. You don't want it to fully cure because it will be harder to remove. In this example, it was only like 30 minutes from memory, not long in enamel terms.

[@jimenezjk]

Hello, Just to be sure, the sequence of types of pain is first lacquer and then enamel? Thank you for sharing your techniques and for your help.

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Juan Jimenez Yes. Lacquer, then a lacquer clear coat then enamel on top.

[@Angelofdeth20]

+TheGhostofZeon can you use enamel thinner?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Angelofdeth20 Yes, but you have a higher risk of damaging the paint layers below.

[@Angelofdeth20]

okay thank you!

[@TheGhostofZeon]

No problems. Glad it has helped you. Good luck with your Sinanju!

[@assassin93]

can i use an acrylic gold paint, top coat then use the enamel black?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Provided the clear coat is appropriate for this method and is compatible with the acrylics, then it'll work

[@Arthur_mungus]

can i use lacquer?

[@quanganx5466]

Is there anyway to do this without an airbrush?

[@sirracer2005]

Quang ANX yes. The same effect can be achieved with rattle cans

[@mvs-wg5ol]

@@sirracer2005 what about paint brush

[@sirracer2005]

@@mvs-wg5ol probably. I have never tried it with a brush. You are still going to want the clear to come from a can or airbrush so you get a good even coat. Just opinion though

[@ibrahim1x]

love this tip

[@tylerpr1893]

will this work if i do a enamal gold then do the acrylic top coat then a enamel back

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Providing the clear coat is applied correctly, it will work.

[@jasoncallair5171]

Thank you for making this video.

[@alxchua]

Do I need to wash away the enamel when it's wet..or only after its dried

[@TheGhostofZeon]

You can do it straight away or up to a day or two later without much issues. The longer it dries and cures for, the harder it will be to remove.

[@alxchua]

thanks much..will try on my sinanju:)

[@MrMsUniverse]

Why do you need a clear coat between your base colour and enamel top colour? And since you have that top coat layer, why does it matter what type of base coat you use?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

+Alex Xu The clear coat is for added protection. There is less chance of doing damage to the bottom layers if a clear coat is added in between

[@TheGhostofZeon]

+Alex Xu The clear coat is for added protection. There is less chance of doing damage to the bottom layers if a clear coat is added in between

[@MrMsUniverse]

+TheGhostofZeon cool thanks, so it's probably more of a necessity for acrylic base layers as opposed to a lacquer base

[@BungeeRooster]

ok I got two questions: 1. The enamel paint I can find in nearby stores is quite difficult to thin down. Can I just brush it or would the paint layer be too thick? 2. Wouldn't the lighter fluid thin down or remove your basecoat? I mean I think it is an organic compound which can mix with most acrylic paints.

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Yes, the hand brushed enamel would be too thick. It is possible to still do it, but would take a lot more time. The lighter fluid evaporates well before the base levels underneath the clear layer would be effected.

[@BungeeRooster]

Thanks man, or as you'd say: cheers

[@TheGhostofZeon]

No, if it is dry, it will be difficult to wipe away. The time between air brushing and doing the reverse wash in this video was no more than 10 minutes.

[@rigosanchez9655]

Do you have to airbrush the black enamel on or can you hand brush it on?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

+Rigo Sanchez You can do both, but air brushing will work better.

[@rigosanchez9655]

+TheGhostofZeon thank you for the feedback

[@aldrinosantos]

After doing the reverse wash, can you spray lacquer top coat to seal it? Thanks

[@TheGhostofZeon]

A thin coat can be applied over the top. I would recommend using a product like Mr Top Coat as I have used that in the past and had no issues.

[@gunplanut]

Could I use enamel thinner or mineral spirits to take off the enamel instead? My landlord's a bit of a !@#$ when it comes to flammable stuff.

[@noname8121]

Whats the thinning ratio for tamiya enamel panit

[@TheGhostofZeon]

joshua wykes It depends on the brand. The general rule of thumb for thinning for air brush use, is to make it the consistency of milk. Start with 1.5:1 and adjust as necessary.

[@TaiPham-vi5jy]

I plan to use Alclad Enamel Gloss Black then Gaia Gold then Mr Hobby Clear Topcoat, then Alclad Gloss black again. Will this works similarly. Thanks

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Tai Pham If the Alclad Gloss is enamel, then yes, it will work. The trick to this is the enamel top colour which needs to be removed with the cotton buds. Any other type of paint (acrylic or lacquer) and you will have issues.

[@TaiPham-vi5jy]

also should I wait 24 hours for the black enamel to cure properly before clean with lighter fluid?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Tai Pham A few hours should be fine. It doesn't need to cure but only dry. If it cures, then it will be harder to remove. If it is just dry, it should be easier.

[@woodenbox6772]

When i tried to use enamel thinner to reverse wash my part, the enanel thinner acyually ate the paint which was lacquer, any reason why? I tot enamel thinner will only react with enamel paint?

[@woodenbox6772]

Actually*

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Thinners in general are pretty harsh on paint due to the chemicals used in them. They are meant to thin the paint and then evaporate when the paint drys. When you are rubbing it into the paint, essentially you are thinning the paint and making it wet again, which means it rubs off easy. Using lighter fluid and less pressure when rubbing will be less harsh on the paint and it will evaporate much quicker, meaning the paint has less chance to rub off as the paint doesn't have as much time to get 'wet'.

[@woodenbox6772]

Damn.....thanks bro!

[@Friariah]

Will say 92% isopropyl alcohol also rub off enamel?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

trigsim I have not tried with enamel. As far as I am aware, Isopropyl will only effect Acrylics, so I'd imagine that it would not work. If you have some, try it out and let me know how you go.

[@ts.8206]

What did you use to thin the gloss black Enamel thinner or Lighter fluid?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

The enamel in this tutorial is thinned with enamel thinners.

[@upinztube]

+TheGhostofZeon i dont have enamel thinner, can i use laquer thinner to thin the enamel paint ? And after that, would i still able to reverse wash it using lighter fluid ? Thanks...

[@ms_dezign]

upinztube from what i know lacquer thinner will work on lacquer paint only same as enamel too

[@chiripitio]

Amazing Tip !!! thanks for share ....

[@VlogVerite]

what happens if you use thinner instead of lighter fluid?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

The thinner is harsher than the fluid and can cause issues with the paint layers below. Lighter fluid helps thin the paint and make it easier to flow into the panel lines and also evaporates quicker, meaning it's less likely that it will cause issues with the paint.

[@ZakuAurelius]

TheGhostofZeon thanks! I still don't understand types of paint, thinners, lighter fluid, what works on what, etc. This is my other Gunpla account! Check out some of my videos if you get a minute! Thanks! ^^

[@stupidchillout]

Thanks for the tutorial. Track ID?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

The track is listed at the very end of the video in the credit screen.

[@backloggamer3614]

Do you start the reverse wash after you spray the black paint? Or leave a few mins?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Kevin Mojica You can start straight away or leave it to dry a little. if you do it straight away, then be cautious that it may come off easily in places you don't want it to

[@samuraib0b]

Can this be achieved with just acrylics? Sorry for the noob question. Just that enamel smell a bit strong for where I'm painting

[@TheGhostofZeon]

samuraib0b Not really. The technique requires different types of paint to work successfully

[@alexanderpearcecatacutan9547]

nice bro :) haiz my prob is done :) but can i use flat top coat? :)

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Yes, you can use a flat top coat to seal it after it's finished.

[@alexanderpearcecatacutan9547]

So i out on my gold paint then il use my flat ctop coat then il proceed to my black paint then il finish both with gloss coat?? Is that ryt?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Alexander Pearce Catacutan No. You need to apply a clear gloss between the gold and black layers. You can add a flat clear on top of both when you finish. If you want a flat gold and gloss black look, you will need to mask the black or hand brush the black on rather than do this technique.

[@Sazabiiiiii]

i thought mr topcoat was acrylic?

[@jelaienfinue]

It is.

[@OkiDingo]

Jay Sullivan i was about to type the same thing

[@RobertPaulsim]

thanks!!!!

[@tankahhang6018]

i buid hi nu gundam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@deobautista149]

do you still need to apply primer before you apply the gold part?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Ideally you should prime always.

[@Sirmoshi1]

what is the gold paint you use is it a lacquer or acrylic or enamel paint ?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

The gold used was Mr Color Gold (lacquer based paint)

[@Sirmoshi1]

ok cool thank you I'm about to do the hands of my lupus Rex tomorrow and I was not sure if it was a lacquer or not