Dark Grey is the workhorse wash for steel, urban grime and shadows on lighter colours. Vallejo Model Wash flows straight into panel lines, rivets and recesses, drying to a matt finish that instantly pulls out detail and adds the grubby patina of hard use. Brush or airbrush it on, give it 20 minutes, and carry on painting.

At a glance

Best for

• Shading panel lines, rivets and recesses
• Steel, urban grime and shadows on pale colours

One of the fastest ways to make a flat basecoat look like it's actually been somewhere and done something.

Instant depth and grime in a single pot. Stock up on companion wash tones and a soft brush to blend.