Sometimes there are times that you want to accentuate panel lines or fine details on a relatively smooth-surfaced model. Washes can really get messy on surfaces that are smooth and flat. Pin washing, short for pinpoint washing, is a method used to get wash into incredibly detailed and small places.
When should you use a pin wash
Pin washing is most effective on smooth-surfaced areas that have some amount of fine details. Examples are panels on this AT-M6, seams on an automobile, airplane, or tank model. Basically, it gives an artificial shadow to tight spaces that would otherwise be very difficult to paint.
In these before and after photos, you can see that the flat surfaces are virtually unchanged, even though they had previously had my wash covering them, but the details in the recesses are more noticeable after the wash has been applied.
Steps to pin washing
- Paint your model to the point that you want to add the pin wash
- Spray your model with a high gloss sealant
- Apply your wash to the area of detail
- Remove the excess wash
- Seal your pin wash
- Move on to the next stage of your project
Paint your model
You don’t have to paint your models differently than you normally would in preparation for pin washing. Since this is a technique that works best on mostly flat or otherwise smooth surfaces you won’t need to get too many highlights and shadows in place before you go on to the next step of pin washing.
Gloss coat your model
The gloss coat is the magic behind the pin wash. A good smooth gloss coat reduces that amount of friction on the surface of your model. This reduced friction makes it more difficult for the wash to form a strong bond to the surface of the model and it becomes possible to remove it without removing the paint below it.
I have been using Alclad Gloss Klear Kote for my gloss coat layer, of the products I have tested so far it is the best. The drawback of this product is that it is lacquer and it has a strong odor. You need to use it in a ventilated area, I open my windows whenever I use it. I am currently looking for a good solution that isn’t so foul-smelling, If I find a product that I like better I will change my recommendation here.
The most important part of the gloss coat is to make sure that you get even coverage over the surface of your model. On my first attempt, I rushed the application of the gloss coat and it didn’t work very well in some areas of the model. I like to apply two layers just to be sure that I get good complete coverage.
Make sure to allow your gloss coat enough time to dry and harden. I usually let mine sit at least overnight. If the layer is still soft then the process of removing the wash might damage the gloss layer making it work less effectively.
Apply wash to the detail areas of your model you want to create shadows
You can use any type of wash but I prefer acrylic washes for this particular process. I most often just use the Citadel washes that we all know.
There are two methods for applying the wash to your model. Neat on the front end or sloppy on the front end, they both have advantages and disadvantages. And I go with whatever is going to be best for the situation.
If your details are located in a relatively small area, or a few and far between I would be very neat and tidy when applying your wash. Using a fine-tipped brush flow the wash into the crevices trying not to get too much outside of the area where you want it to be. This method takes longer on the front end but will save you a lot of time on the next step.
If, however, your model has a lot of detail all over the surface, like in this AT-M6. It is easier to just apply the wash to the entire surface of the model. You will spend a lot more time taking the excess off, but in the long run that will take less time than trying to be super neat when applying the wash to a busy surface.
Remove excess wash
After your wash has been applied, give it some time to dry a bit. If you have done a good job with your gloss coat you will have quite a bit of time to work even after your wash has become dry.
Take a cotton bud (Q-Tip) and dip it into water. Then move it back and forth lightly over the surface where you have excess wash that you want to remove. The water will get between the gloss coat and the acrylic wash and cause it to loosen, the cotton bud will remove it from your model with a little persistence.
You can see in this photo how much wash was on the front leg on this model, the vast majority was removed using the technique outlined in this article.
Most of the time you will need to go over the detailed area and you don’t want to remove the wash that is in it. If you go perpendicular to the detail that you want to remain, instead of parallel with it, sort of how you would with dry brushing, you can remove the wash from the correct areas without removing it from the areas that you want to be shaded.
I have tried other products like white spirits and airbrush thinner, but I think that good old water works just as well or better.
Seal your model after the pin wash
Usually, a pin wash isn’t the final step in your paint job. Most of the time you will want to move on to other weathering techniques, or at least knock down the gloss finish, nobody wants a glossy tank. It is a good idea to seal this layer before moving on.
You don’t need to go with gloss again if you don’t want to. I generally will switch to a flat finish at this point so that the next steps will adhere better. Alclad also makes my flat finish of choice. It is also a Lacquer so take appropriate precautions. If you are in the UK you can check Element Games here to see their prices.
These are my recommendations of things that I use all the time when painting miniatures
The Starter Paint Set That I Recommend for small budgets
The Starter Paint Set That I Recommend for large budgets
I like to listen to books on Audible while I paint
Check out these retailers to find hobby products
HOBBY STORES
USA / Canada: Noble Knight Games : eBay (US) :
UK: Element Games : Forbidden Planet
Global: Amazon : Redgrass Games : Warcolours
3D PRINTING
Anycubic : Elegoo : Creality : Sunlu : Flashforge : Matterhackers :
