Alcald 2 Polished Aluminium

[5Nige]

Hey Guys,

This is the first time I am about to use the Polished Aluminium. Can it be applied over gloss black enamel (just as chrome) or else it needs a specific gloss black (e.g. Tamiya spray).

Also, can the polished alu be masked and not lose its shine when the masking tape is removed?

I am asking this as I am about to start the Ferrari 312T3, and I am doing the chassis in polished alu. To my mind it seems that I have to lay the red colour with decals and clear, mask and then lay the polished alu.

Thanks to all

Alan

[racer93]

Originally Posted by 5Nige

Hey Guys,

This is the first time I am about to use the Polished Aluminium. Can it be applied over gloss black enamel (just as chrome) or else it needs a specific gloss black (e.g. Tamiya spray).

Also, can the polished alu be masked and not lose its shine when the masking tape is removed?

I am asking this as I am about to start the Ferrari 312T3, and I am doing the chassis in polished alu. To my mind it seems that I have to lay the red colour with decals and clear, mask and then lay the polished alu.

Thanks to all

Alan

You need to use gloss black ENAMEL for the base coat. It needs to be as smooth as possible, just like the chrome.

I think your order is correct.

[Serioga]

I red here: http://www.alclad2.com/alclad-home.html, that "Polished Aluminium should be used over Tamiya TS-14 gloss black,or gloss black auto paint. Chrome and only chrome should be used over gloss black model enamel paint."
So I painted my Jaguar with Alcdad's Polished Aluminium over TS-14. I haven't mask it off.

[Entau]

i had painted alclad polish aluminum on lacquer black(mr color/gunze), it doesn't stick well, you can easily rub it off with your finger

so i guess the base have to be enamel or acrylic black instead

[racer93]

Originally Posted by Entau

i had painted alclad polish aluminum on lacquer black(mr color/gunze), it doesn't stick well, you can easily rub it off with your finger

so i guess the base have to be enamel or acrylic black instead

Don't use acrylic! Alclad is "hot" and will eat the acrylic. Use enamels. It produces MUCH better results. I've used both. Learn from my mistakes!

[HebeDave]

Good questions and good luck! I used the alclad II chrome over gloss black spray. I was really impressed with how good it looked. Very nice. Haven't tried the alum yet but the chrome was very sensitive to touch (it would rub off). Maybe it gets better the longer it dries but I've been afraid to go near it again.

The masking question is the one I'm really interested in hearing everyone else's reply. I'm hesitant to lay masking tape over it. I figure it can only hurt.

[tonioseven]

I'm curious about what to undercoat the polished aluminum with as well. I wish to do a set of wheels with it.
sam-r350 UP.Browser/6.2.3.8 (GUI) MMP/2.0

[Didymus]

Originally Posted by racer93

Don't use acrylic! Alclad is "hot" and will eat the acrylic. Use enamels. It produces MUCH better results.

You can't put Alclad directly on styrene plastic, either. For the same reason.

I think Alclad's own black undercoat has the best appearance and durability. Alclad rubs off pretty easily from Tamiya TS lacquer. Testors black enamel doesn't have as much gloss as the Alclad undercoat. The Alclad black is mislabeled "lacquer," by the way, but it's actually enamel.

In a recent test of several combinations, I got the best results from spray can Spaz Stix over Alclad black undercoat.

[racer93]

Originally Posted by Didymus

In a recent test of several combinations, I got the best results from spray can Spaz Stix over Alclad black undercoat.

What is "Spaz Stix"?

[Didymus]

Originally Posted by racer93

What is "Spaz Stix"?

It's chrome paint. There's been quite a bit of discussion about it on AF and on http://cs.scaleautomag.com/scacs/forums/ and http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?act=idx.

I get it from my local hobby shop, but you can find other sources by googling it. You'll probably also find some discussions on the subject. If I recall correctly, you can also get it directly from the manufacturer.

The instructions say that it's intended for painting on the reverse side of the clear calcium carbonate plastics used for RC model aircraft. But when applied in thin coats over black enamel, especially Alclad base coat, it makes good looking chrome on the front side of styrene.

Unlike Alclad, it comes in spray cans. You don't get much quantity for your money, but it's convenient and the appearance is very good - better than Alclad, IMO. It sticks as well, or maybe better, than Alclad. Some people put it over Tamiya spray-can black with no problem, but even though the Alclad base dries slower, I like it for its gloss and adhesion.

(I've also compared Spaz Stix with Dupli-Color Chrome. The SS is much more sparkly. If you only want a polished aluminum look, Dupli-Color Chrome is about right. But it's thicker than either Alclad or Spaz Stix.)

I think all chrome paints are a bit on the delicate side, so taping over it could be risky. I'd suggest planning your work with that in mind.

[sjelic]

Revell gloss black enamel works perfectly, just use a bit more thinner (50:50) when applying, let it dry for 8-10 hours and of you go.