Cockpit wash

[beetcleaner]

I am building the new Airfix 1/48 Hurricane and am about to spray the cockpit with Humbrol 56 as per the instruction manual My normal method is to seal in the base colour with gloss varnish, apply the wash, clean up and reseal with varnish.

This is usually brushed on but the detail in this kit is very fine and I want to keep the layers of primer, paint ,varnish etc to a minimum. Would it be ok to apply my wash (Windsor and Newton oils thinned with turps) onto the Humbrol 56 painted tubular structure without the varnish coat and just clean up using a cotton bud dipped in thinners.

In the past I have found that even with two coats of clear varnish rubbing too hard with the cotton bud can lift the paint under the clear. Should I use an acryllic wash or maybe Humbrols new washes to avoid this happening?

Thanks for any advice

[Giorgio N]

I wouldn't worry much about the thickness of the clear coats. These can be sprayed thin enough to not hide any detail while at the same time being robust enough. Are you using an airbrush or spray cans ?