Vallejo continues their line of specially made weathering products called “Weathering Effects”. They are formulated with permanent pigments and water based acrylic resins. All of these products are available in 40 ml bottles. The two types of Weathering Effects reviewed here are “Splash Mud” and “Environment Effects”.

The Splash Mud is very paint-like in consistency but too thick to be airbrushed as is, very similar to Vallejo’s Model Color range. The recommended application is via the splatter method. One does this by loading a stiff bristle brush – where the stiff bristles will snap back very quickly after being bent – and using your fingers to flick the Splash Mud from the brush bristles to the surface you want to muddy-up. For this review, I used a completed Jagdpanzer IV (L48) that had been lightly weathered, but not with any of the thick products reviewed here. This way, the effects of these products can easily be seen.

In recent years Tamiya has expanded their model line to include finishing supplies like panel line accents, diorama materials, decal setting solutions, etc.

This particular review will cover the following decal setting solutions :

• Tamiya Mark Fit Strong: MSRP: $4.50, Stock: 87102

Like all decal solutions, and most modeling supplies, make sure you use them in a well ventilated area. While the Mark Fit solution is not that smelly, the Mark Fit Strong has a strong vinegar smell and both have a warning about fumes being dangerous.

Based on the instructions for both solutions they instruct you to apply the decal as always, and once you blotted the water off, to put some of the setting solution on top of the decal (you are even provided with a small brush in the cap), and to not touch the decal until fully dry.

I’ve got my spray booth set up, my paint mixed, and the compressor has been powered up and its ready to go. The paint cup is attached to the airbrush with anticipation of an enjoyable painting session. I pull the trigger…………and nothing. After fiddling with the pressure and air adjustments on the airbrush and compressor, I realize that my airbrush is jammed up with dried paint. There’s not anything to do but shut down the painting session and get the airbrush cleaned up.

That is where Tamiya’s #87089 Airbrush Cleaner steps in. You’ll need a cleaner that can loosen and dissolve dried paint, and this product is very good at doing just that. You know the drill. Disassemble your airbrush and clean each part carefully and completely. I use a small wire brush dipped in some Airbrush Cleaner that has been poured into a very small cup. Wearing gloves, I carefully scrub the airbrush parts with the wire brush, dry them with a lint-free cloth and I’m ready to go!

Tamiya has released a “Panel Line Accent” line with 4 colors: Black, Brown, Gray and Dark Brown. They are an enamel-based wash, so it is smelly and it could attack bare plastic, so test it on a scrap piece (a runner or extra part) first.

The panel line accent is packaged in the same kind of bottle than the Tamiya Glue down to the small and thin applicator brush, which comes in very handy when applying it to a recessed panel line.

In this review I applied 3 “spots” of panel accent line to an unpainted piece (leftover) from and Eduard model and it did not damage that plastic. Not only that, but 3 applications were enough to see all the panel lines completely covered. The wash just flows on its own along the whole panel line.

Model Car World is a model company that specializes in resin car bodies and paint finishes matched to automotive colors. MCW was purchased by Wings Wheels and Waves in 2015, and they have since expanded their paint line to include military colors.

This review includes the following paints:

• MIL-1101 Schwarzgrun RLM 70
• MIL-1103 Dunkelgrun RLM 71
• MIL-1106 Hellblau RLM65

MCW Paint Finishes are gloss lacquer paints. The paints come in 1 oz. bottles that have a BB inside to facilitate mixing. The paints are pre-thinned for airbrush and MCW strongly recommends applying the paints over a primer.