Tamiya XF-88 Dark Yellow 2 10 ml – matt acrylic paint for model kits

Tamiya XF-88 Dark Yellow 2 10 ml recreates a dark yellow/beige typical of late World War II German vehicles, with a matt finish and a balanced tone for realistic base coats.

It works as a base colour in three-tone schemes together with Dark Green 2 (XF-89) and Red Brown 2 (XF-90), accepting modulation with cream tones for highlights and browns/olives for shadows and dirt.

The reference Tamiya XF-88 Dark Yellow 2 10 ml belongs to the XF series (matt finish) designed for scale modelling on styrene plastic, resin and wood; its controlled viscosity promotes smooth self-levelling and even coverage while preserving rivets, panel lines and fine details, and allows you to work in thin layers with both brush and airbrush, with drying times suitable for masking and applying decals safely.

Use on models and common scales

In military vehicles at 1/35 scale it is ideal as a base colour for late-war Panzers (Panther G, Tiger II, Jagdpanzer, StuG) with three-tone or “ambush” camouflage; at 1/72 scale it maintains good definition on tanks and half-tracks, allowing filters and washes without over-saturating the finish; in ETO dioramas at 1/35 scale it works well on posts, fences and dusty wooden elements, blending naturally with earth pigments; in mecha/sci-fi at 1/100–1/144 scale it provides a tactical beige base that is perfect for panel lining and chipping.

Thinning, airbrushing and brushwork

For airbrushing, start with a 1:1 ratio with Tamiya X-20A and adjust according to nozzle size and pressure (approx. 12–18 PSI), applying short passes to avoid build-up in panel lines; for brushwork, apply without overworking the area and, if you wish, add a tiny amount of retarder to improve levelling; between coats, allow the solvents to evaporate to protect the surface detail of the model.

Surface preparation and priming

To get the best performance from Tamiya XF-88 Dark Yellow 2 10 ml you need a proper base: wash the parts to remove mould release agents, dry-fit, clean up joints and apply an even primer; white primer increases the perceived brightness, while grey primer provides a neutral, controlled base; a light micro-sanding afterwards improves adhesion and smoothness.

Finishes, varnishes and compatibility

Once Tamiya XF-88 Dark Yellow 2 10 ml has fully cured, you can seal it with varnish depending on the final result you want: matt to preserve its tactical character, satin to help blend decals, or gloss before decal application; explore our range of paints and varnishes for model kits to choose the best option; after varnishing, apply washes, panel lining and weathering effects, allowing proper curing times to avoid lifting the paint.

Practical modelling tips

• Thin, successive coats: prioritise several light passes so as not to lose rivets or weld seams.
• Ambush and soft edges: use blu-tack masks or templates for dots and squiggles over the XF-88 base.
• Test first: fine-tune viscosity, pressure and distance on a spare piece before moving to the actual model.
• Full curing: let the paint cure completely before masking, adding decals or applying effects.

Resources and documentation

Check the manufacturer’s recommendations on tamiya.com and complete your workbench with modelling accessories, brushes and tools, and the full Tamiya paint range.

Purchase and service

At Craftyminis, orders ship within 24/48h and shipping is free from €60; if you need help combining Tamiya XF-88 Dark Yellow 2 10 ml with primers, varnishes or other colours, send us a message and we’ll be happy to advise you.