For a short while, Life Color has been providing the modelling community with a new line of water-based acrylic washes with their Liquid Pigments sets of effect. Typically these sets consist of five acrylic washes and one bottle of their Remover which is designed to aid in manipulating the washes once applied. One of their latest sets is the Liquid Pigments – Hulls and Wooden Decks. Recently I was fortunate enough to obtain a set of these new weathering products from our good friends at Airbrushes.com and took them for a little test drive.

Liquid Pigments – Hulls and Wooden Decks

The Life Color Liquid Pigments – Hulls and Wooden Deck set of weathering effects is provided in a standard flip-top cardboard box with six, 22ml bottles nestled within. There are five bottles of water-based acrylic washes and one bottle of Remover.

Contents

• LPW 16 Fouling Green
• LPW 17 Surfaces Shadower
• LPW 18 Wooden Deck Darkener
• LPW 19 Wooden Deck Shadower
• LPW 20 Dried Salt
• RE Remover

These effects are water soluble, non-smelling acrylic pigment washes designed to be adjustable after they have been applied to the model. In the case of the Hulls and Wooden Decks set, it is obvious what this particular set of effects has been created for, ship modelling. However, as with all weathering effects sold today, these products are not limited to specifically one genre of models but can actually be used on any model the builder seems fit to use it on. With that said though, there is a collection of effects contained within this set that are ideal for the ship modeler’s bench.

Each of the colors provided in this set can be used to gain a sea-bound weathering effect to ship models. Fowling Green (LPW 16) and Dried Salt (LPW 20) are ideal for using on hulls to allow the modeler an opportunity to add both the greenish tinge associated with algae growth as well as the bleaching effects seen with ocean sea salt deposits. Wooden Deck Darkener (LPW 18) and Surface Shadower (LPW 17) can be used for a wide variety of effects application including adding shadows and fading to hulls, superstructures and wooden decks. Finally, Wooden Deck Shadower (LPW 19) is designed to add darker wood tones to areas on horizontal wood decks. As I mentioned above, this set contains a bottle of Life Color’s specifically designed Remover. This is a non-smelling, water-based solvent that can be used to manipulate the washes after they have been applied to the model’s surface. With all of these Liquid Pigment effects, they can be applied through the use of a variety of paint brushes or diluted for use through and airbrush.

Depending on the consistency of the effect the modeler desires, these mix extremely easy with just a quick shake of the bottle. It is suggested that these weathering effect be applied over a clean, dry clear coat. This will aid in the manipulation of these effects both in wet and dry form. For easier dispersion of the effects, add a little moisture to the area with a brush damp with water. The Liquid Pigments will respond much the same as traditional washes do, coating the surface in a translucent fashion. For darker applications, simply apply these effects full strength to the surface of the model. Manipulation can be done immediately with either a clean dry brush or brush that have been dampened with water. Early after drying, the dry Liquid Pigments respond well to just water when adjusting the look. Once these effect have had the chance to dry though, the provided Remover will be needed to do further manipulation. This is as simple to do as using water to manipulate the effects but dampening a brush with the Remover instead.

Each of these effects can be used all modelling surfaces including plastic, resin, metal and even wood. With wood, as in the wooden replacement decks offered to modelers, a complete clear coat is suggested to prevent unwanted bleeding and unwanted discoloration to the wood. Each of these effects can be thinned with just water giving the modeler a wider range of tones from each bottle. All of the Liquid Pigments dry to a dead-flat finish.

Conclusion

Being a big fan of weathering models, I am always looking forward to new ways effects of realistic weathering to my bench. Life Color’s Liquid Pigments are certainly a fine addition to my growing collection of effects to choose from. The colors from this new Hulls and Wooden Decks set fit perfectly into not just ship modelling, but basically all genres. The colors are fantastic when used to simulate the wearing effects the ocean has on a ship’s surfaces and the all of these washes dry to a flat matte finish. Manipulation during and just after application is excellent; further manipulation can be done up to as far out as 24 hours when using the provided Remover. However, the longer these acrylics have had a chance to cure, the harder it is to be able to manipulate them on the surface. My suggestion would be to work only areas of the model large enough that you feel comfortable with and have time to work with. Building up layers with soft edges will always give you the advantage in adding more effects later while not having to worry about adding too much at one time. Judging from the effects I obtained with this set as well as two previous sets of Liquid Pigments I have tried, I have to recommend these adjustable washes to anyone looking to get a wide range of weathering effects that are simple to apply and easy to manipulate for any skill level of modelling. Also these are certainly a viable alternative to some of the overpowering smells associated with traditional solvent based effects.