Nuln Oil (Originally Black Wash/Ink)

Seren Nishiyama · **Posted:** Fri Jul 12, 2013 6:18 am

Running into a bit of difficulty with painting.

The original Citadel Black Ink / Black Wash was great. It was thin, and filled in the crevices of a model with a distinct, defined black pigment without darkening the surface of the model too much.

The replacement wash, Nuln Oil... is a gray, dull mess that hangs on the surface. It is especially noticeable on chain and plate armor... turning the whole affair dark gray and necessitating the armor to be repainted. It almost defeats the purpose of using a wash. It looks fine on orc armor, but warriors of Minas Tirith require far too much work considering they are covered head to toe in plate.

Does anyone know of a good replacement black ink made by an alternate paint company?

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Fri Jul 12, 2013 7:40 am

I've made the switch to a company called The Army Painter they do a product called strong tonewhich i replaced devlan mud with and dark tone replacing badab black - seem pretty good to me but a word of warning - you need to shake them lots before use.

werner · **Posted:** Fri Jul 12, 2013 7:48 am

Dead Marsh Spectre wrote:

I've made the switch to a company called The Army Painter they do a product called strong tonewhich i replaced devlan mud with and dark tone replacing badab black - seem pretty good to me but a word of warning - you need to shake them lots before use.

Same here, I did the switch after reading: http://fromthewarp.blogspot.be/2012/05/devlan-mud-and-badab-black-wash.html

Gene Parmesan · **Posted:** Fri Jul 12, 2013 10:13 am

Give it a good shake; I've had no problems. Mind you I never used the old ink much

Bilbo · **Posted:** Fri Jul 12, 2013 11:24 am

Personally I see no reason to use wash on WMT, if you start undercoated in black you can build up successive layers of highlights.

Harfoot · **Posted:** Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:56 pm

Vallejo Smoke is good, if little different, need to thin it though.

Frogmortonjustice65 · **Joined:** Sat Jun 22, 2013 10:21 pm **Posts:** 129

I've had the same problem. I've also noticed the new washes stay on much *shinier* than the old ones. They're too glossy and I usually have to layer over them again so that the mini doesn't look too shiny.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Fri Jul 12, 2013 3:41 pm

Frogmortonjustice65 wrote:

I've had the same problem. I've also noticed the new washes stay on much *shinier* than the old ones. They're too glossy and I usually have to layer over them again so that the mini doesn't look too shiny.

Testors Dullcote will take of that. You need a gloss coat first, over he top of your finished mini, then you spray the Dullcote over and you get a pure flat finish.
A word of warning. It has some nasty additives so spray in a well ventilated space, ideally outdoors.

johnny189 · **Joined:** Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:19 pm **Posts:** 88

Gandlaf the Grey wrote:

Frogmortonjustice65 wrote:

I've had the same problem. I've also noticed the new washes stay on much *shinier* than the old ones. They're too glossy and I usually have to layer over them again so that the mini doesn't look too shiny.

Testors Dullcote will take of that. You need a gloss coat first, over he top of your finished mini, then you spray the Dullcote over and you get a pure flat finish.
A word of warning. It has some nasty additives so spray in a well ventilated space, ideally outdoors.

Do you know where to buy that in the UK? I can't find it anywhere and I've heard only good things about it.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Fri Jul 12, 2013 4:32 pm

http://www.modeldisplayproducts.co.uk/i ... ry&path=75
http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/cata ... ?q=testors
A couple of options for you.

Dr Grant · **Joined:** Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:50 pm **Posts:** 1339

I've just started using my first pot of Nuln oil after finishing my last Badab Black. I actually ran out in the middle of a batch of models so I've got a direct comparison, I'll see if I can upload a pic on Sunday. I found that the colour is all but identical but Nuln Oil is FAR glossier so you might have trouble if you're not planning on painting over it. Personally I basecoat, wash and highlight so it doesn't affect me but the new wash certainly has a different finish.

Fishlegs · **Posted:** Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:01 pm

I can echo the army painter suggestion.

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:21 pm

Nuln oil will dry matt but you need to shake the pot for around 3 days before using it..lol no exageration!

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Sun Jul 14, 2013 7:00 am

So using Nuln Oil is like starting some sort of physio bootcamp? Shake that pigment, baby!
I don't have 3 days to spare...

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Sun Jul 14, 2013 10:23 am

Dorthonion wrote:

So using Nuln Oil is like starting some sort of physio bootcamp? Shake that pigment, baby!
I don't have 3 days to spare...

Second tip: Get someone else to do it

Bilbo · **Posted:** Sun Jul 14, 2013 10:28 am

Dead Marsh Spectre wrote:

Dorthonion wrote:

So using Nuln Oil is like starting some sort of physio bootcamp? Shake that pigment, baby!
I don't have 3 days to spare...

Second tip: Get someone else to do it

Why not pat a homeless gentleman on non alcoholic lager to do it! Only tell him its non alcoholic after hes completed the job.

Oldman Willow · **Posted:** Sun Jul 14, 2013 2:24 pm

I don't use GW paint. I will leave it up to you to decide which brand you prefer. People often argue in favor of a brand name over another and develop strong preferences. More often than not the brand name is the only difference. The same product with a different label? GW would not do that. :shock:

You can make your own wash with any color you want if you understand how and why washes work.
see link
A useful tip concerning DIYS washes and gloss/flat finishes.+ info on how to find the brand available in the UK and else where.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR3aIAth5qU

An how/why to- with out GW products.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuTCEzyZ50o

SidTheSloth · **Posted:** Mon Jul 15, 2013 6:54 am

Frogmortonjustice65 wrote:

I've had the same problem. I've also noticed the new washes stay on much *shinier* than the old ones. They're too glossy and I usually have to layer over them again so that the mini doesn't look too shiny.

The shineyness problem happened to me too. Give it a really good shake and it will be fine.

Seren Nishiyama · **Posted:** Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:28 am

Thank you all for your helpful posts!

Eriol · **Joined:** Wed Jul 31, 2013 8:35 am **Posts:** 4

Reference as been made in this thread to Vallejo Smoke. I use some Vallejo paints, model colour, game colour and model air; i find them very good. I recently got some Smoke but find it very thick and containing pockets of pigment, like undissolved coffee grounds. Is this normal? Have I got a bad bottle?

Thanks for any advice.

Nuln Oil (Originally Black Wash/Ink)

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