chrome paint?

Hey guys, has anyone ever used the chrome spray paints? and if so are they any good, I'm gonna paint an airplane body with it (maybe).

Depends on what affect you're trying to achieve. Most "chrome" paints really look more like polished metal than chrome. Even automotive "chrome" comes out more polished metal than chrome. The exception being Alclad chrome which needs to be applied in a specific way over a black enamel base to get a reasonably close to chrome look.

Alcad does offer other metallics in a variety of silvers if you're attempting to get a varied panel affect. The same could also be done with Testors metallizers. But Alclad chrome is the way to get the most chromelike effect if applied correctly.

Maybe someone knows of something else?

HTH

Gerry

No spray material I have seen looks like chrome.

I've just tested what was purportedly the best; Alsa Corp's Mirrachrome, though from their new "killer chrome" spray can. The best it looked was like Alclad or Spaz Stix chrome which had been coated with Future which cuts the reflectivity by about 40% from uncoated. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. It wasn't cheap.

The best appearance was Spaz Stix chrome applied over Tamiya gloss black lacquer. Right behind that was Alclad applied over gloss black enamel. Both look excellent as a polished aluminum surface, I'd be happy if model car chrome bumpers looked as good as this, more realistic than kit chrome. Both finishes are not very durable, you cannot touch them too much or the microscopic-thin layer of chrome will rub off. No matter what anyone says, no clear I've tried (including urethane) protects these "chrome" finishes without greatly reducing their "chrome-like" appearance.

thanks, I am not really looking for anything great, it is for my 2yr old son to hang in his room, so I am not trying to make it look amazing, just a decent looking plane. I think I am gonna give the Color Place chrome a try, I think it would look better then painting it in silver.




http://www.revell.com/catalog/products/1_90_Scale_DC_3_Airliner-637-7.html

I think Alclad II is as close as you can get to chrome paint. Personally, I think it's pretty close to a real representation of chrome if you apply it correctly.

http://www.alclad2.com/images/lacquer_rear.jpg

I tried to paint Revell Enzo rims with chrome effect paint. from spray can, and I am not 100% satisfied with the result. It works for those rims with thin spokes but if you try it on larger surface it does not produce a mirror effect, rather it looks like very bright shiny Alu. surface. I do not know if this would be acceptable for an airplane but for automotive chrome parts it is certainly inappropriate.

W.

Forgot to say, use BMF or similar chrome foil instead of paint. It may be a headache to apply on such large areas but the result, if applied properly, would be worth the effort and money.