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Neutral Grey is one of the reference greys in the AK Interactive Standard range: a highly pigmented water-based acrylic paint designed for modellers who need a neutral, versatile and reliable grey in a 17 ml bottle. Compatible with brush and airbrush, it covers solidly and integrates seamlessly into any workflow, from military vehicles to wargame miniatures.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Reference | AK11018 |
| Range | Standard |
| Colour | Neutral Grey |
| Volume | 17 ml |
| Base | Water-based acrylic |
| Pigmentation | High |
| Application | Brush and airbrush |
| Finish | Satin / Matt depending on colour |
What it is used for
Neutral Grey is a cross-purpose colour: it appears in almost every modelling project as a base, fill colour, soft shadow tone or mixing reference. Its neutrality makes it an essential resource in any palette.
- Base coat and colour primer layer on military vehicles, aircraft and scale ships.
- Reference colour for mixing and obtaining cooled-down tones without over-desaturating.
- Painting equipment, weapons and matt metallic surfaces on wargame miniatures.
- Backgrounds and urban surfaces in dioramas and scenery.
- Applying shadows and gradients on cosplay figures and SFX pieces printed in 3D or resin.
- First coat colour on aeronautical modelling projects where structural greys take centre stage.
How to use it
- Surface preparation: make sure the piece is clean, degreased and properly primed. Shake the bottle well for at least 30 seconds before opening.
- Thinning: for brush, Neutral Grey can be applied directly or with a small amount of water or acrylic thinner. For airbrush, thin until you achieve a consistency similar to skimmed milk, adjusting according to working pressure (1.5–2 bar as a starting point).
- Application: apply thin, even coats. With a brush, work with short strokes and a moderate load to avoid marks. With an airbrush, maintain a distance of 15–20 cm and work in cross passes.
- Drying: between coats, wait approximately 15–20 minutes under normal temperature and humidity conditions. Full curing may require several hours.
- Cleaning: as it is water-based, clean the brush or airbrush with lukewarm water immediately after use. For dry residue, use a specific acrylic thinner.
Usage tips
Neutral Grey as a base colour
Using Neutral Grey as the first colour coat over primer is common practice on vehicles and aircraft. Being a mid-grey, it lets you assess coverage before adding final colour coats and makes zenithal highlighting easier without losing volume reference.
Mixing and tone modulation
The absence of warm or cool dominants in Neutral Grey makes it ideal as a starting point for mixes. Adding white gives balanced highlights; with black, shadows that don't pull towards blue or green. It is a great ally for modulating uniforms, equipment and concrete surfaces in dioramas.
Compatibility with the rest of the AK Interactive range
As part of the Standard range, Neutral Grey is fully compatible with the rest of AK Interactive's water-based acrylic paints. You can mix it directly with other colours in the range, apply AK washes and filters over it, or seal it with AK Interactive spray varnishes before chipping or weathering. Feroca, official AK Interactive distributor in Spain, has the full range available to complete your workflow.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this paint directly in an airbrush without thinning?
Paints in the AK Interactive Standard range, such as Neutral Grey, are formulated with high pigmentation and generally need some thinning for airbrush use. Add water or acrylic thinner little by little until you achieve the right fluidity. Always test on paper before applying to the piece.
How many coats do I need for full coverage?
With Neutral Grey from AK Interactive, on most primed surfaces two thin coats will be enough for solid coverage. Applying successive thin coats always gives better results than a single thick coat, which can crack or lose detail.
Is this paint suitable for airbrushing over large surfaces?
Yes. Neutral Grey AK11018 works well in an airbrush for covering large surfaces, such as vehicle hulls or scale aircraft panels. Thin it correctly and work with gentle passes to avoid streaking.
Can it be applied over resin and 3D prints?
Yes, as long as the surface is properly prepared: clean, free of release agent residue and with a coat of primer. Over cured and well-primed resin, Neutral Grey adheres without any issues.
Is it necessary to seal with varnish before applying washes or pigments?
It is recommended to apply a finishing varnish before washes to protect the base colour coat. AK Interactive offers compatible spray varnishes that you can find at Feroca, the official distributor in Spain.
How long does it take to dry between coats?
Under normal conditions (20–25 °C, average humidity), Neutral Grey dries to the touch in about 15–20 minutes. For full curing before handling or applying weathering techniques, wait at least 2–3 hours, or speed up the process with a low-temperature hair dryer.
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