ALCLAD II How Dag does it!

[dag65]

ALCLAD II application seems to be a common question so I thought I would share how I do it , with decent results I might add.
First I have to state that the part you start with must be ultra clean and smooth, any flaws will only be magnified after applying the paint. I usually will glue up sub assemblies and paint them as a whole unit as its not adviseable to handle the parts much after painting.
I typically use Duplicolor touch up paints in the spray can for my base coats.
Once I am satisfied with the the surface of the part I hit it with a light coat or two of primer. I follow that with a few coats of Duplicolor Flat Black Truck and SUV paint and let that set overnight usually. Why flat black you ask? Well its been my experience that the flat black covers more quickly and evenly ( less paint ). Once the flat black is good and dry I hit the part with a few good coats of Duplicolor Clear.
Now you are ready to apply the chrome. I use my Aztec airbrush fitted with the gravity feed cup, 20 -22 psi is usually a good air pressure to start with. Two or three light coats are usually good, its not real shiny right away so don't spray too much the first few coats. After a little while the platelettes in the ALCLAD II lay down flat and form a chrome like surface.
There are varying opinions on how close ALCLAD is to real chrome, IMH its far better than kit chrome and much cheaper than sending the parts out. In fact I think it matches BMF quite nicely.
Heres a picture of the under side of a Fink Speedwagon I did using this method.
D

[Ferrari TR]

Nice!

Do you shoot the Alclad in wet coats or build up mist coats...?

[dag65]

Slightly wet but not runny, it goes down kinda matte at first but glosses out when the platelettes lay flat, and if you don't get good coverage with the first coats add a few more light ones.
D

[T\/\/iN-Tu|2Bo]

Great "How to"!!! Very useful!

[flyonthewall]

But there are instructions on the bottle

[primera man]

Originally Posted by flyonthewall

But there are instructions on the bottle

[Sidewinder-03]

Great tutorial, Dag! I was wondering if you can use anything other than gloss black enamel for the base with good results. Judgeing from the wicked awsome job you did on that Ford 9in. rear end, I guess you can.

[Zcaithaca]

Originally Posted by flyonthewall

But there are instructions on the bottle

i thin the instructions arent specific to modeling and arent too specific...although you do have a point

[PRIVATEER]

I just happen to try some this stuff today. I tried the polished aluminum over gloss black. I do not see a big difference from Testors silver. Did I do it wrong???

[RallyRaider]

Originally Posted by PRIVATEER

I just happen to try some this stuff today. I tried the polished aluminum over gloss black. I do not see a big difference from Testors silver. Did I do it wrong???

Probably not. Whilst Alclad chrome is the best there is, their other colours aren't really much different to many other paints out there. Testors Metalisers, Gunze Mr Metal and even Tamiya Enamels are just as good in most cases and way, way cheaper.

The only real trick to using Alclad is to make sure the surface is glass smooth and flawless before shooting it.

[chaos]

I agree with RallyRaider - their chrome is the best. I really wasn't too pleased with their polished aluminium.

[dag65]

Originally Posted by flyonthewall

But there are instructions on the bottle

I guess thasts why I see do many questions about it posted here and other forums
Besides if you compare mine with the instructions they do differ and the results are pretty good.
Dag