How you use AK Interactive streaking grime / oil washes on your models!

[@invntiv]

First of all... that space marine is god-tier. Absolutely stunning and clean. bravo!

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thanks Josh! I spent a bit longer on it for a local GW competition! I’m actually using it in another video as well shortly! Lol

[@ChickenIandlEggs]

For anyone in the States, the thinner is often called Mineral Spirits at craft/art shops

[@WarpGateStudios]

Sorry the British English comes out sometimes a bit too much on certain products!

[@beardwierd2783]

Thanks for the info man. Been sitting here thinking about how to shade a tank that I’ve just built and I think you have shown me the way. Also that was way too nice a paint job to receive that treatment. I swear I could hear actual pain in your voice as you applied that grime. Good thoughts to you and your loved ones.

[@OtwanD]

What a wonderfull, straightforward tutorial. Thanks

[@WarpGateStudios]

No worries! Thanks for the lovely comment!

[@TheAmateurHobbyist29]

I honestly enjoy this tutorial more than many other tutorials I’ve seen! This is quick, simple, and I found it very easy to follow especially for beginners! I plan on using the enamels for making a grim dark style of freebooterz Orks!

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thank you! I appreciate it. Please feel free to post some pics of your Freebooterz as well man! Love me a good Krumping!

[@M50A1]

Very simple tutorial, good work! Can't wait to try this out someday

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thanks buddy! Have fun with it!

[@jminer25]

Great video! Will be trying this on my GSC Rockgrinders ASAP!

[@samnewell9315]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@inhumanbookworm]

In future try the buds with pointy tips. They are for babies and will make your work easier

[@Avxeryaep]

Very helpful for beginners like me! I plan to use some of this on my meng F/A-18 Super Hornet

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thank you!

[@tseungtsu2944]

Did you varnish the model before doing the streaking grim? Love the content thanks!

[@WarpGateStudios]

You can give it a Matt varnish before applying but it’s not necessary if you are gentle taking the streaking grime off.

[@renaudroyer5390]

Thanks for showing your method with this product 👍

[@WarpGateStudios]

No worries thanks for your comment my friend! :)

[@ArnoldJudasRimmer..]

Cheers for this video sir! Just about to paint Mephiston GD and this will work a treat! Top work btw on that paintjob haha 👊

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thanks bud! Enjoy painting mephiston he’s a dream to paint! Thanks also for the comment I appreciate it.

[@dirkmcfangdangler8295]

I just took a class at nova and it was similar to this. Amazing work

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thank you!

[@diocletianjones6243]

Looks good, man. For the ppl in the comments - AK and MIG do a great variety of enamel washes and chipping fluids to get great weathering effects on your models. I’m keen to try some oil washing using the Abteilung 502 line. There’s a great video by Zatcaskagoon Miniatures here on yt on reductive painting techniques using oils over acrylics, the major thing to keep in mind is the miscibility of the layers of paint under what you’re working on. Acrylic paints are not miscible in mineral spirits and thus you can easily use the two together, use with a coat of varnish if you’re worried about ruining a specific effect or if you’ve glazed a very thin layer you don’t want disturbed, chuck on a coat of varnish and you’ll be golden. Subbed and liked

[@WarpGateStudios]

Appreciate the comment and the sub! And yes working with the two different mediums can have different challenges for sure! It’s a lot of fun playing with both and seeing what can be achieved! I’m actually gonna pick up some AB502 weathering stuff so I’ll probably do a similar video on that! :) thanks again.

[@diocletianjones6243]

@@WarpGateStudios no worries brother - highly recommend the AK weathering pencils for doing fine detail scuffs on power armor and vehicles, too - cheers

[@RichTeaMiniatures]

Brilliant video Sam just one question do you need to varnish the model before?

[@WarpGateStudios]

Hey bud! Dependent on what type of paint you used on the model underneath you may want to give it a coat of Matt varnish as some paints don’t like enamel washes. Thanks for the comment dude!

[@RichTeaMiniatures]

@@WarpGateStudios no worries mate thanks for replying I’ll just varnish everything then just to be safe lol

[@PKBratney]

Hi there. Can you please provide a little detail on your basing material and method for this great looking model?

[@WarpGateStudios]

Hi PK! I will try and get a video done on sand / desert basing for you in the coming weeks! appreciate the comment!

[@PKBratney]

@@WarpGateStudios Cheers! I'd love that, thank you.

[@jackbuchanan1695]

Really helpful. Spicy paint job too🔥

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thanks Jack! If you wanna see more videos feel free to shoot us a message! Also if you could subscribe it would be awesome! Cheers!

[@OriginPainting]

Great product and nice explanation on its use.

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thank you!

[@crabtastic1400]

also really cool space marine colours

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thank you! The model was for a local competition around here! :) Glad you like the colors!

[@crabtastic1400]

@@WarpGateStudios yea

[@mcbain668]

Brilliant Also how did you do that shoulder pad logo? Looks great

[@WarpGateStudios]

Glad you liked the video! It’s actually a decal from the imperial knight kit. If you enjoyed the video please subscribe to the channel! Cheers!

[@stenderpainting]

Informative. Thanks!

[@WarpGateStudios]

Glad it was helpful!

[@raaaaaagh4263]

Great result!!

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thanks for the comment! Appreciate it.

[@ianstubbington2334]

Great Video, one question. If you answer it in the video, i missed it. Did you varnish the mini before using the Streaking Grime ?

[@WarpGateStudios]

Hi Ian! No I didn’t but if you are concerned with anything a quick coat of a Matt varnish won’t hurt.

[@southpaw5483]

Thank you for sharing. May you recommend a "Gloss Varnish" on the model before applying the "Streaking Grime Enamel"?

[@WarpGateStudios]

Vallejo or Monument Hobbies varnish works great.

[@Nothing2NV]

Great vid. Thank you

[@tacotots_132]

Do you have to clear coat the model first?? Before you put on the streak and grime?

[@WarpGateStudios]

You can do if you are worried about going too hard with the rubbing off afterwards. It’s not essential though in my processes

[@WeedmanTheThird]

Awesome video, question though: did you hit that space marine with varnish before going over the model with the AK and thinner? I ask since the thinner I have would definitely wipe the paint on my models off, and I wanna make sure I don't have to go out and get what you got in the video.

[@WarpGateStudios]

I didn’t varnish it but it doesn’t hurt to give it a quick varnish of Matt if needed. I used mineral spirits which is a little less harsh on the models!

[@ashtonterry794]

Hey! I know it's a long shot, but I love the blue you picked for the primary color of the space marine. I know it's a long shot - but do you remember what paint(s) you used to get that?

[@WarpGateStudios]

Hey bud! Light Sotek Green base and then airbrushed up with thousand sons blue mixed with a touch of white if I remember correctly! Hope that helps!

[@zeb54520]

Looks rad! Are you using any sort of seal on the model prior to applying the grime?

[@WarpGateStudios]

A coat of Matt varnish won't hurt but Its not needed.. I believe AK made this product to not be hostile to acrylic paints underneath.

[@matso3856]

@@WarpGateStudios Oh , thats good to know !

[@permeus2nd]

most Acrylic paint is pretty damn hardy just ask anyone that's brought used models off Ebay, ive soaked them in turps and scrubbed them with a wire brush (metal models not the plastic that stuff melts in turps) and they still dont come clean, the acrylic is actually harder than the plastic models there used on :D

[@syd4890]

If you use inks I recommend sealing it before doing this :)

[@EZclanrecords]

Great tutorial! Quick question, do I have the have the model varnished before this? Or can I skip Varnishing totally?

[@WarpGateStudios]

Varnishing isn’t necessary but if you have anything majorly delicate on there a quick Matt varnish won’t hurt. I didn’t varnish this model. Thanks for the comment.

[@giantorres3352]

I only varnish if I use inks or contrast paints.

[@davidhickman4976]

Nice paint job!

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thank you! :)

[@shasla-xv88]

What were you using to remove the grime? Paint thinner? And did you have to seal the model with varnish before the grime applications, did it affect any of the decals?,! (Great video)

[@WarpGateStudios]

No I didn’t varnish the model at all and it was fine with the small amount of the streaking grime I used! I need to experiment some more with larger quantities and longer drying times to see but I don’t think it should eat into the acrylic too much.

[@WarpGateStudios]

Also just plain thinners are used to take it off. Pretty simple stuff.

[@warherd_miniatures]

I saw in a previous comment that you use it as a final unifying wash, did you use any other washes throughout the normal painting process up to the point of starting this? Or do you think this is enough of a wash that they are unnecessary?

[@WarpGateStudios]

Honestly it’s up to you and your painting method if you use layering, washing or any other dry brushes along the way. I used a simple line wash on the space marine initially with highlighting it. The weathering pigment does bring a lot of stuff together on the model and gives it a cohesive feel as everything is weathered with the same color. How much of the pigment you leave on the product is totally up to you as well.

[@joshhughes3493]

Great video mate, cheers!!

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@terrydactyl2077]

Could you take it completely off on some areas just by using thinner and a swap or bud? Or will it slightly tint/stain the colour a tiny bit? I’m going to try this out for my Orks! Just curious on some of the behaviours of the oils.

[@WarpGateStudios]

Totally dependent on how much thinner you use after putting the grime on. It also depends on how long you leave the grime to dry on there as well. You need to make sure to start working with it within an hour or two otherwise its harder to remove from the model! Cheers for the comment!

[@terrydactyl2077]

@@WarpGateStudios ok good to know ty

[@jei2623]

How many coats of varnish do you apply before you apply your enamel.

[@WarpGateStudios]

If you are careful and gentle you don’t need to apply any but a quick coat of Matt varnish is fine to seal anything.

[@mlpman246]

Nice technique!

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thanks Eric! Hoping it inspires more folks to try it on their models! :)

[@ApexBovine]

Is streaking grime the final unifying wash, or can you ga back and highlight the model without them looking out of place?

[@WarpGateStudios]

The wash is one of the the last unifying pieces of weathering you can do. You could go back and do chips etc after the weathering but it may look out of place. This purely grimes everything up to the same level as a finishing piece!

[@KraigPritchett]

Great job! I like the coloring on the bolters heat shield, how did you do that?

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thanks for the question Kraig! Its actually a Hand Flamer and Im going to be doing a video next week on the effect. So great timing on the question! Stay tuned for it next week.

[@oscarsaris3183]

Can you use water as thinner or does it need to be a specialized product?

[@WarpGateStudios]

I thinner is needed for this one as it’s an oil based product. White spirit or mineral thinners will be needed.

[@crabtastic1400]

thanks, i might buy it soon

[@WarpGateStudios]

Well worth purchasing if you want to go really grim dark! :)

[@robroberson2638]

THanks!

[@permeus2nd]

so its basically just rub&buff from a different brand repackaged to be used on minis.

[@WarpGateStudios]

There are other brands out there of oil based washes. I find it’s a lot easier to work with than acrylics as there is a longer work time. I also wouldn’t say it’s a buff. It’s just taking off the oil wash from places you don’t want it to be. No wax on wax off style. :)

[@Dark_Templar28]

Did you use washes also before adding the grime?

[@WarpGateStudios]

You can do! I have been experimenting with doing streaking grime in different parts of the model painting and it’s had some unexpectedly good results! You can also varnish over the grime and seal it and then use washes afterwards which give a random effect as well!

[@sjhhej]

Do you varnish before applying the streaking grime?

[@WarpGateStudios]

Not needed but you can if you want to go harder on taking off the grime.

[@xMcNultyx]

Do you seal it First Glossy or Matte?

[@WarpGateStudios]

I prefer Matt! Gloss makes it run way too much.

[@unknown-nt3hd]

So you washed your brush with the thinner?

[@WarpGateStudios]

Yes you need the thinner to wash off oil Based paints.

[@vidarthorsby2052]

Are they varnished in any way beforehand?

[@WarpGateStudios]

No I did not varnish then before the oil wash. I did varnish them after to protect the finish!

[@domc2383]

Did you varnish seal your model before the ak wash?

[@WarpGateStudios]

No I didn’t. But it won’t hurt if you wanted to give it a varnish coat.

[@yasashii89]

Why does everyone apply the grime all over and then clean it off? Wouldn't it be the same just applying it directly in the areas you want it to be?

[@WarpGateStudios]

It’s quicker process that gets everywhere and then with the clean off just stays in the crevices where dirt will naturally be. It’s a neat process. :)

[@joshuaginn792]

Before weathering>

[@yasashii89]

Is ak better than vallejo?

[@WarpGateStudios]

Both great products! But for this purpose of dirtying up I prefer AK interactive. :)

[@yasashii89]

​@@WarpGateStudios Is there a reason? How are they different?

[@WarpGateStudios]

@@yasashii89 one of them is a acrylic wash and the other an enamel wash. Both different types of weathering and give slightly different effects.

[@yasashii89]

@@WarpGateStudios which brand is acrylic? I've got cats and I believe acrylic is the safer option if I'm not mistaken.

[@WarpGateStudios]

@@yasashii89 the Vallejo products are majority acrylic so try them out and see how they go. AK is enamel and has the fumes.

[@alcovitch]

dude way too much thinner on your qtip. Dab off the excess on a paper towel. You're just removing everything

[@WarpGateStudios]

It actually left a lot on there! Check on the photo below of the finished model! :) less is more in this circumstance and you can always add more if it’s too light for your preference! Appreciate the comment though!

[@squishcognito6780]

Looks the same before and after, needs a much heavier application and take less off

[@samnewell9315]

I’ll upload a better photograph later of the finished dry model to show the effect. Definitely doesn’t need any heavier application or less taken off. Building up layers is the best way to use this product by far.

[@WarpGateStudios]

here's a better photo! Hope that helps! drive.google.com/file/d/1yZ80itL7hfJjkHis4CMtatAubuTCgIVN/view?usp=sharing

[@bullfrog8350]

What do you use to remove the wash?

[@WarpGateStudios]

Thinners or white spirit will remove the streaking grime as long as it’s within an hour or so after application.