Metallic paints ( Aluminium , Chrome etc... recommendations for novice please ... ? )

Hi,

Havent made any particularly complex kits before , but fancied having a go at the Tamiya kits with engine details. I have picked up a couple of 956 kits and a Sauber C9.

For the small engine parts , I really don't want to brush paint as all the best work I have seen is sprayed, and the finish looks so much better.

I was just interested to know which paints you recommend to give the best finish for Chromes, Aluminiums etc.....

I tried spraying some of the thinned Tamiya Acrylics, but didn't think the finish was that great. ( for solid colours is fine , but metallics not so good )

Would appreciate any help at all on what you guys use to give the best overall finish ?

Cheers

BIG"S"

There is only 1 paint for metalic: Alclad 2

you need an airbrush since they can't be brushed and they don't come in spraycan

There is only 1 paint for metalic: Alclad 2

you need an airbrush since they can't be brushed and they don't come in spraycan


I have an airbrush - just picked up a couple of bottles to play around with see if I like em. Quite expensive though !

Thanks

BIG"S"

Yea it's a bit expensive, but worth it for wgat I have seen.

Anyway, a modelmaster ½oz cost me 4$ and Alclad 1oz is 11$, not THAT expensive

Yea it's a bit expensive, but worth it for wgat I have seen.

Anyway, a modelmaster ½oz cost me 4$ and Alclad 1oz is 11$, not THAT expensive

Here its $7.50 before postage and I have to get it mail order, so more than double .....

Still as you say worth it if the results are good, and I can always use a can of the Tamiya aircraft bare metal for large areas such as floorpans/ engine bays etc.

Cheers

BIG"S"

I have personally never used alclab b/c i haven't felt like buying it off the net. I enjoy using model master metalizers. You have to be careful with them but when used properly they do turn out nice.
I have seen the result of alclad personally and i know that they are far superior to modelmaster but i really like the results i can get.

There is only 1 paint for metalic: Alclad 2

you need an airbrush since they can't be brushed and they don't come in spraycan
Sorry Vric but wrong and wrong again LOL! ( I hope you take that the right way as I am only giving you a hard time )
Alclad II is great , exellent Chrome Finish and there are other metalllics such as Jet Exhaust that work great for detailing any model. The Chrome does come in a Spray can now.
And as jswillmon said the model master meatllizers are quite nice and come in a variety of metal finishes. However none will be as chrome like as Alcald II. Some of these can be lightly buffed and others not, I personally like to use the polished stainless or the aluminum.

I like to use the model masters metalizers for engine parts and such.
And Alclad for exterior items like wheels.
I think the Alclad looks better. For Items like the engine block that you will be adding to or covering up with pieces of other colors MM metalizers do the job just fine.

The spraycan of Alclad 2 Chrome is for Lexan. it's been discuted here that it will not stick over plastic even with the black base coat. So the result will not be great.

Do a Sherch Mr. Wrong and Wrong :D

Edit: Oh, and never take anything wrong :lol:

Yeah, Alclad chrome is a good product- but, how often do you really need a good, shiney chrome finish in automotive modeling? When was the last time you looked at the engine of a car, and seen anything that looked like chrome? Heat shielding, maybe? Well, there's nothing better than metal foil so simulate metal foil- try to paint it and you're likely to be disapointed. Exhausts? Not if the engine has ever been fired up. Brakes? Not when their constantly squeezed by pads- even when new they have a machined surface, not polished.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=503/67954101_0196.jpg

Everything metallic here that isn't actually metal (dampers, braded cable, and metal foil) is painted with Tamiya acrylics- even the exhausts (and to be completely accurate, the dampers actually would be more correct painted light grey). For non chrome colors, I can't say that Alclad is superior to MM Metalizers, and plain old acrylics can look terrific. Honestly, for me one of the most importaint things in getting good looking metallic components is having good flexibility of color- and this is more than plain aluminum vs polished aluminum. It's nice to be able to darken a metallic just by adding a touch or two of black, to discolor it by adding a bit of orange or blue, to represent an alloy part by adding gold or dark grey or red (note the drive shafts), etc, etc. Not something you can do with Alclad or Metalizer. Alclad is really made for model airplane makers, who want a good metallic finish to simulate unpainted aluminum wings and fuselages. Unless you're building a Delorean, there's not usually much call in automotive modeling for a finish like that.

The spraycan of Alclad 2 Chrome is for Lexan. it's been discuted here that it will not stick over plastic even with the black base coat. So the result will not be great.

Do a Sherch Mr. Wrong and Wrong :D

Edit: Oh, and never take anything wrong :lol:
Like this one?
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=226647&highlight=alclad+spray
The stuff in the can is the very same product as the pre thinnned airrush stuff, it all says its for lexan bodies just like these here
https://www.ssl-stormerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/seekpart.pl?pn=ALC107R
Same formulas same paint. In a ny case don't care to argue the point.
I have really good success applying it over a Duplicolor black base that is clearcoated.
I have to agreew ith MPWR that the meatalizers are the best for creating variuos metal surfaces

Everything metallic here that isn't actually metal (DAMPERS, braded cable, and metal foil)

That engine bay gets better everytime I see it. Haven't you finished it yet? :D
Also remember not all of us have access to a lathe to make our own custom dampers ;) That would be alclad if painted.

Personally I prefer Alclad because they're much more durable. Plus Modelmaster paints are impossible to get ahold of in the UK.

I also use Kosutte Ginsan which gives great results and being a powder means I don't have to clean my airbrush.


Cheers

Farrokh

Well...
I think every 'flavor' has it's place. I've used Metalizer, Tamiya, Gunze and Alclad as well as some lesser know brands.
You can tint Metalizer with almost any paint, you may not get the results you want and the mixture will not be stable if stored, but almost any paint will mix into lacquer.
I can't stay out of the great brake rotor debate either. First, the finish you choose is up to you, do what makes you happy! My observations on rotors leads me to use a bright stainless steel finish.
That's based on years of looking at 'real' car parts with a critical eye toward replicating their finish in scale. I really do know what drilled rotors look like 'used' as I've run Brembo's on my car for years. I just had them turned a couple of weekends ago, so their appearance at each stage is fresh in my mind. Though I wish I'd taken pictures!
:p