I’m wondering if I can mix Alclad’s chrome or stainless steel with another color to get this dark chrome look?
There’s only one way to find out. do it yourself. If it’s Alclad paints, I see no reason why you can’t.
I wouldn’t mix paint with Alclad. However, using a thin coat of alclad over various color bases does work.
Don, why not? Is it because metallic Alclad paints don’t spray on well when mixed with 2 different Alclad paints? To the OP, Alclad has black chrome if that’s what you’re trying to achieve.
I looked at a sample of their black chrome and it’s almost like black. But i think 50% chrome mix in would work. I’ll spray test when i get a chance. I’m interested to hear why Don said don’t mix them also.
Alclad II Stainless Steel painted thinly over gloss black starts out very dark and get a little lighter as you add more layers.
I believe among all of the LACQUER based Alclad paints, they are actually compatible for mixing for color and tint variations. The Black should mix well with other aluminum colors and do what you are after. I found Alclad to respond quickly when quizzed about their products, very helpful and friendly.
Patrick
Alclad is basically a lacquer, but a weird one. It does not eat away enamels nor acrylics. I am not sure what the solvent is, but it seems to be a variant of lacquer thinner. I would think one would have to be pretty good on paint chemistries to combine it right. Also, the pigment in Alclad is ground superfine. I would think you’d have to use another pigment with similar sized particles.
A thin overcoat over a colored undercoat is easy. Done it a number of times.
Alclad’s site states that the differing colors can be mixed together to achieve different shades, with the exception of highly polished aluminum and chrome. It goes on to say that the stuff can also be mixed with small amounts of enamel paint or automotive laquer to get different shades, but these will need to be used immediately. The highly polished aluminum and chrome appear to be special formulas, so Alclad advises not to use setting solutions on those colors and states not to use enamel paint over the top of those two colors.
I mix Alclads together to get tonal variation all the time. However, don’t use another brand to mix with the Alclad as it may not be compatible.