AK Interactive Landing Gear Wash: Application Guide
By Over the Brick | Published: 2026-10-29
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to apply AK Interactive Landing Gear Wash to enhance the depth and realism of your scale model aircraft landing gear.
Quick answer
Apply AK Interactive Landing Gear Wash directly to your model's landing gear to create realistic depth in recessed details, then clean up excess with white spirit or odorless turpentine.
Why use a dedicated landing gear wash
Landing gear parts have fine details like struts, hydraulic lines, and wheel wells that benefit from a targeted wash. A general wash may not be dark enough or may stain the metallic finish. This enamel wash is formulated for the darkest shades of metallic surfaces, making it ideal for jet engines and hydraulic suspensions on WWII or modern aircraft.
Because it is enamel-based, you have a longer working time to manipulate the wash and clean up mistakes compared to acrylic washes. However, you must use the correct thinner (white spirit or odorless turpentine) for cleanup and thinning.
How to apply AK Interactive Landing Gear Wash
- Shake the bottle thoroughly: Shake the bottle well before use to ensure the pigment is evenly mixed. The enamel particles can settle over time, and shaking prevents uneven application.
- Apply the wash directly to the landing gear: Using a fine brush, apply the wash directly to the recessed details of the landing gear struts, wheel hubs, and hydraulic lines. Let the wash flow into the crevices by capillary action. Avoid flooding the surface—less is more. Common mistake: applying too much wash at once can pool and obscure details. Work in small sections.
- Let the wash dry partially: Allow the wash to dry for a few minutes until it becomes tacky but not fully hard. This gives you time to adjust the effect. If it dries completely, you can still reactivate it with a small amount of white spirit.
- Clean up excess with thinner: Dip a clean brush or cotton swab in white spirit or odorless turpentine and gently wipe away the wash from raised surfaces, leaving it only in the recesses. This creates the depth effect. Use a dry brush to feather the edges if needed. Checkpoint: if you remove too much wash, simply reapply and try again. The enamel formula is forgiving.
- Allow full curing and seal if desired: Let the wash cure completely for at least 24 hours before handling or applying a clear coat. Enamel washes can remain soft for a while, so be patient. A matte or satin varnish will protect the finish and unify the sheen. Common mistake: sealing too early can cause the wash to smudge or reactivate. Ensure it is fully dry.
Product details
- AK Interactive: Landing Gear Wash (35ml Bottle): Enamel product. Indicated for darkest shades of metallic surfaces such as jet engines and hydraulic suspensions of WWII or modern aircraft. Can be dissolved using white spirit or odorless turpentine. The dark pigment creates strong contrast on metallic landing gear, and the enamel formula allows easy cleanup and blending with the recommended thinners.
AK Interactive: Landing Gear Wash (35ml Bottle)
