Looking for buffable metal paints (for example Testors Metalizer). I have heard there are better/more color variations from other manufacturers but can’t think of which manufacturers. Anyone know of a better paint than Testors or should I stick with what they have?
Dave
Alclad II is the best (in my opinion) for doing metal finishes.
Does it give a “true” chrome effect when using Chrome for Lexan? Do you need to use a primer and your recommendation?
Alclad is the best, hands down. You use a gloss black primer and spray LIGHTLY over that. Too much paint dulls the effect. You can buff it to a high shine after that. Alclad has a black paint to use under it, but you can use almost any gloss. I use Tamiya Gloss Black and it seems to work ok if you get a good gloss on the Black.
Don’t forget, you can always look into using Bare Metal Foil for different chrome applications too?
Hi :
I would recommend ALCLAD 2 for most applications .Now if you are doing something that requires a shine from inside a layer of clear , such as a flat surface then I believe you should make use of Micro Marks foil adhesive and real bright " Dollar General ", type foil shiny side out .It will work .Just practice , Before , you do it ! Tanker - Builder
I know a number of model car builders who use Alclad to re-chrome the kit chrome. It is that good. Just requires some care putting down a flawless gloss undercoat.
I use both MM and Alclad for my metallic finishes. Alclad is the #1 choice, but the stuff can get expensive. My rule is if I’m spraying something and planning on masking it, I use Alclad. Their finishes are tough as nails, whereas the Metalizers have a glass jaw and will pull up if you look at them funny.
Are products like SnJ or Hawkeye’s metal powders around anymore? I still have a couple of bottles of SnJ aluminum powder that I use when I want to buff something to a high shine. When you apply it to a gloss white base coat and buff it with a soft cloth, it really shines up nicely!
Eric
I find Alclad not that expensive at all. One puts it on so thin that the amount spent on one model is not that much. So a bottle lasts a long time. And unlike the Testors enamel I use for non-metal finishes, it doesn’t go bad in the bottle. I have bottles of Alclad that are several years old and they still work fine.
I second Don’s remarks about Alclad. I finished 4 different 1/48 aircraft - including a b57 - with Alclad, and I still have 1/5 bottle left.
I recall Hawkeye posted a note here about a year ago saying he is going out of the manufacturing business, and SnJ and polishing powders are no longer available from him, or anyone else, as far as I know.
Hi :
I do have something that will work as well if you use care and follow the instructions .That is the buffing cremes offered in any hardware store .They come in Silver plate , Bronze plate and Gold plate . This stuff has been around for as many or more years than I .I would give it a try .They may have added colors by now too . Tanker - Builder
Hawkeye’s on FaceBook documenting his travelling lifestyle in an RV. I don’t think he’s doing much of anything else.
If it’s formulated for lexan, DO NOT use it for regular models. It’s for R/C body shells and is applied to the inside of the shell. The shell itself imparts the gloss finish.