Comparing Every Black Wash on the Market: The Ultimate Guide
Meta Description: We tested all the top black washes! Read our ultimate comparison of Citadel Nuln Oil, Army Painter Strong Tone, Vallejo, and more to find the best wash for your miniatures.
Every miniature painter has a pot of black wash. It’s the magic liquid that adds instant depth, defines details, and makes your models look finished. But with so many brands claiming to be the best, which one truly deserves a spot on your hobby desk? We bought, tested, and compared every major black wash on the market to give you a definitive answer. Get ready for the ultimate showdown in a bottle!
The Contenders: A Lineup of Legends
We've gathered the most popular and highly regarded black washes from across the hobby landscape:
Citadel Shades: Nuln Oil - The industry standard, the "liquid talent" itself.
The Army Painter: Strong Tone - The famous dip-style wash, often cited as a strong competitor.
Vallejo Game Color: Black Wash - A popular choice from a beloved acrylic range.
AK Interactive: Dark Brown Wash - A favorite for scale modellers bleeding into the wargaming space.
Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color (Black) - A unique enamel-based option from the modeling world.
Citadel Contrast: Black Templar - Can a contrast paint function as a wash?
Head-to-Head Testing Methodology
To ensure a fair fight, we applied each wash to an identical test subject: a flat plastic surface for drying tests, a detailed Space Marine shoulder pad, and a textured surface with rivets. We judged them on five key criteria:
Flow & Capillary Action: How well does it flow into recesses without pooling on flat surfaces?
Pigmentation & Stain: How dark is it? Does it stain the underlying paint?
Finish (Matte/Satin/Gloss): How does the dried wash affect the final look?
Drying Time: How long does it take to fully cure?
Value: Price per milliliter.
The Results: And the Winner Is...
(Note: "Winner" depends on your need. We'll crown a champion for each category.)
Best Overall & Easiest to Use: Citadel Nuln Oil
It's the standard for a reason. Nuln Oil offers a perfect balance of flow, pigmentation, and a satin-matte finish that works on almost any surface. It's predictable, reliable, and readily available. Its main drawback is its premium price per ml.
Best Value & Highest Pigment: The Army Painter Strong Tone
Strong Tone is incredibly pigmented and provides deep, dark shadows. It's excellent for quickly shading large armies and comes in a large, cost-effective bottle. However, it has a slightly glossier finish when dried and can sometimes dry a tad shiny if not shaken perfectly. For the price-conscious painter, it’s unbeatable.
Best for Precision & Matte Finish: AK Interactive Dark Brown Wash
While technically a dark brown, its behavior is identical to a black wash and it delivers a perfectly matte finish. This is a top choice for historical modellers and painters who hate any shine. Its consistency is slightly thinner, giving you superb control.
Most Potent for Panel Lining: Tamiya Panel Line Accent
This enamel product is in a league of its own. Its capillary action is unmatched—it will fly into the tiniest recesses and engraving. WARNING: It requires enamel thinner for cleanup and can damage bare plastic if applied directly. It's a powerful tool for experts, not beginners.
Biggest Surprise: Citadel Black Templar
While not a traditional wash, thinned approximately 2:1 with Contrast Medium, Black Templar creates a very effective, highly matte black wash that offers excellent control and zero shine. A great option if you already have it on your shelf.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What's the actual difference between a wash, a shade, and an ink?
Wash/Shade: These terms are now largely interchangeable. They describe pre-thinned paints with surfactants that break surface tension, allowing them to flow into recesses (e.g., Citadel Shades, Army Painter Washes).
Ink: Inks are highly pigmented, intense liquids that are not pre-thinned for recess flow. They are used for tinting and adding vibrancy.
2. Why did my wash dry glossy?
This is usually due to the binder used. Some brands, like certain batches of Army Painter, have a glossier binder. Always shake your washes vigorously for 2+ minutes to ensure the matting agents are properly mixed in.
3. Can I make my own black wash?
Absolutely! A simple DIY wash is a mix of black paint, water, and a few drops of flow improver or matte medium. This is cheap and customizable but lacks the consistency and reliability of a commercial product.
4. My wash pooled and left ugly "coffee stains" on flat surfaces. How do I fix this?
This is common. To fix it, once the wash is dry, go back with your original base coat color and carefully paint over the stained flat areas, leaving the recesses dark. To prevent it, wick away excess wash from flat areas using a clean, damp brush immediately after application.
5. Should I use a gloss varnish before applying a wash?
Yes! Applying a gloss varnish first creates an ultra-smooth surface that drastically improves the wash's flow into recesses and reduces staining on flat areas. This is a pro technique, especially for panel lining with products like Tamiya.
6. Is a dedicated "wash brush" necessary?
Not necessary, but highly recommended. A soft, round brush with a good tip (like a size 1 or 2) allows you to precisely control where the wash goes, preventing messy application.
Conclusion: It Depends on Your Needs
There is no single "best" black wash for every painter. Our recommendation is:
For Beginners: Start with Citadel Nuln Oil. Its predictability will help you learn the technique without frustration.
For Army Painters: Choose The Army Painter Strong Tone. The value for money and high pigment are perfect for shading dozens of models.
For Display & Precision: Experiment with AK Interactive's washes or thinned Black Templar for their superior matte finish and control.
For Experts: Incorporate Tamiya Panel Liner into your workflow for razor-sharp panel lines on mechs and vehicles.
The best news? They are all fantastic products. Your perfect black wash is out there, waiting to add that final layer of depth to your next masterpiece.
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