scale mettalics

A lot of the spray cans out there come in metalic colors, however, the flakes seem to be the size they are on the 1:1s, so it looks wrong on a model. has anyone ofund a way to fix this? mixing finer metalics with a base color and airbrushin? what about pearl pains?

thanks,
Doug

Tamiya spray metallics are the perfect size for models. :bigthumb:

I airbrush testors rattle can metallics.

Simple, don't use automotive pearls and metallics. Buy model specific paints. The Testors Boyd's line has a good selection of pearl paints.

Nail polish.

Spray your model first with a regular paint similar to the color of nail polish. For example, if it's a red nail polish, apply red paint first. I use Duplicolor Lacquers. Then airbrush on your nail polish. This it about 75% lacquer thinner (must be lacquer thinner), 25% nail polish. Nail polish needs to be thinned a lot more than regular paint. Apply it in light coats, as nail polish tends to be a lot hotter than regular paints as well.

The metallics in nail polish are much finer than regular paint and there is a much wider array of colors.

I've used the tamiya gun metal and was really sort of disapointed. but I'll give the nail polish a go. what the heck, I'm already buying rouge applicators (dusting delicate models) and those rubbery fingernail file thingys (sanding sticks). Now if I can jsut find a use for lipstick....