Hi Guys,
Has anyone here used the AK Extreme Metal paints? I’m a bit confused and as they are pretty expensive so I thought I’d see if anyone here has experience with them. Not the True Metal in Tubes but the Extreme Metal in bottles.
I’ve seen a couple of Youtube vids both from AK and from a couple of users.
Main question is if these paints are impervious to a mineral spirits weathering wash, as seen in the AK video, then I’m presuming you can’t use mineral spirits to clean your airbrush after use? Does anyone know the answer to that? Do you have to buy their thinner?
Second there are a couple of colors that are a “Polished” color and these have to go over a black base. I’m wondering if the non-polished colors do as well? They are listed as “Enamel” paints on Scale Hobbyist website which is my main supplier.
Thanks for any insight. The paints look great but I hate to spend $30 bucks for 3 bottles before I know more.
Thanks guys
I have been using a few of the Xtreme Metal range of colors. I really like them and the finish seems to be very durable, compared to the fragile nature of Alclad II, which I also really like to use. The one difference I have found is that it is not 100% required to prime prior to using these paints. I have used them straight over plastic that has only been prepped by wiping it down with 91% isopropyl alcohol. I have not personnally tried to use weathering washes that are mineral spirit based over them. I have used Tamiya paint thinned with lacquer thinner over the top and done some chipping work
This is done on a current build I’m working on:
As for the base coating. On the above picture, I did apply a base of black Stynylrez before spraying with the Duraluminum from Xtreme Metals. I also have sprayed the engine cowl and cowl flaps in the dark cowling color for A6M5 aircraft, these I did not use the black base on and I felt that I got an even nicer metal finish than I did with the black base. I wil attempt to get some photos of this tonight or tomorrow and add them here.
Personally, Xtreme Metal, though listed as an enamel is pretty potent smelling stuff and highly recommend using a mask and exhaust fan if available or spray in a place with good ventilation. I have not thinned my Xtreme Metal as it is airbrush ready right out of the bottle, just like Alclad II. Light coats in multiple passes makes for brilliant finishes.
I hope that helps you out a bit.
I buy a lot of stuff from Scale Hobbyist as well, and have also been purchasing from Hobbyworld-USA (Matt at HW-USA has been getting most of my business as of late).
Thanks for those details. I appreciate it.
What are you using to clean your airbrush after using the Extreme Metal paint?
I always flush my airbrush with regular hardware store lacquer thinner after using these. Tried using mineral spirits, but noticed that I still had a little bit of the metal flakes rising to the surface, no matter how clean I thought I had gotten it. Using lacquer thinner I havent had the problem. I usually do a couple of rinses, the first I have an old brush that I use to scrub the inside of the paint cup and spray most out of the brush into my cleaning pot, then I wipe it down with paper towel, then rinse again once or twice depending on how much paint and how long I painted with the Xtreme Metal.
I used the polished metal one and looks pretty good. If you want a very Msmooth and shiney finish then it must be sprayed over bare plastic otherwise is will look weathered.
To clean the ab I use lacquer thinner.
Well, this is a headache! I used AK Interactive’s True Metal on my Pegasus model of Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas. I like the look, and it was easy to brush on. The problem is with the model’s windows.
The kit comes with pre-die-cut masks, but they didn’t stick worth a darn and some of the True Metal seeped under the masks. Now I’m trying to remove the excess True Metal, which is thoroughly dried/cured, with little success. Acrylic thinner and lacquer thinner don’t seem to touch it. Odorless paint thinner kinda sorta works, but the clear plastic still seems cloudy and stained. AK Interactive sells XTreme paint thinner, and I’ve written to them to learn whether it can remove the dried True Metal, but they’re not working on weekends. So, does anyone have any advice?
Bob