best gunmetal to match VOLK TE37's?

[blueboost]

hey all,

I want to take some Fujimi 18in TE37's, which are molded in white, and paint them gunmetal. From your experiences, what color do you think would best duplicate this wheel? The gunmetal on these VOLKS looks great, its a nice milky gunmetal. There is no metalflake look to the rim so Tamiya gunmetal and light gunmetal spray wouldn't look right IMO. I would really like a close match for these wheels. thanks for your help.

here is the wheel:

[malsheem]

I was experimenting with some gunmetal colors the other day for various projects. What I found looks good is applying smoke over silver. In particular, I used GSI Mr. Super Metal chrome silver as a base color. Then I sprayed light coats of Tamiya X-19 Smoke. The color gradually gets darker with each coat. Stop when you get to the darkness you want. I'll try to post pics later tonight.

[nis.k.a.]

Testors Metalizer Gunmetal looks really nice. To get shine use the Testors metalizer sealer after buffing the Gunmetal. After the sealer is dry you can cut it to a shine.

[blueboost]

thanks much guys. I'm on it!

[atifield]

What's the difference between the sealer and a clearcoat? ...trying to save some money here.

[malsheem]

Here is the wheel painted with the method I described. Color isn't really that close. It's got a bit of a bronze tint to it.


Testors Gunmetal metallizer (w/sealer). Close, but a bit too dark, IMO.


Maybe a custom Smoke color (mix Tamiya clear + gloss black) over silver? Maybe a few drops of lacquer gloss black to Alclad Chrome or Polished Aluminum? Lots of things to try.

Sealer prevents the metallic color from rubbing off. Similar to clearcoat which protects the underneath paint. Sealer doesn't provide any gloss though to the color below.

[ywwong]

Tamiya X-10