Sukhoi Su-30MK Flanker

Martin Oostrom
Hi Norm, takeoff without pilots? Isn't that dangerous 😉
Nice job. RE the wash; you can clean it up with a cotton bud slightly damp with thinner. Move it in the air flow direction, from fromt to back. Any residue can pose as streaed grime.
For extra clean planes you can use a fine tipped brush, also slightly damp with thinner, just move it beside the panel lines.

Martin Oostrom
Check this one out at page 3: migjimenez.com/img/c.._US-NAVY-F14_ENG.pdf
And welcome to ScaleMates!

NormB1964
Oops, didn't the pilots leave the box ?
Hi Martin, thanks for the advice regarding the wash. Is it important on what kind of coating you apply the wash : clear vs. matt ? Does the wash need to be of the same sort of the paint, for example acrylic on acrylic, lacquer on lacquer ? I also read of good results with oil paint.

Martin Oostrom
In general: first a gloss varnish to make the wash flow more easily. After the wash a matt varnish can be used. If you're doing additional weathering, a gloss varnish in between helps.
Preferably never use a thinner based wash (or oil) on a thinner based paint. You risk lifting the paint. An acrylic gloss varnish over thinner based paint can prevent this issue. Rule of thumb: use a different sort of paint.
I use oils for additional weathering, some fading, that kind of work. A spot of oil paint and fan it out with a thinner damp cotton bud.
Just test on a scrap piece of plastic or an old model. It's simpler than it looks, and harder to get right 🙂

Spanjaard
welcome to SCM. good advice Martin 😉

NormB1964
Thanks Spanjaard. I hope to learn a lot more !