I am a relatively new modeler and have just started to build Eduard’s 1/48 avia b.534 series 4. The instructions call for a bare aluminum cockpit. I am trying to find a relatively cheap paint to paint the interior that gives a realistic finish. I have tried several metallic acrylic brands but have had no luck so far. From what I have heard on the Internet that this is to be expected, that metallic acrylic paints are in general total trash. I know that alclad is ideal for any natural metal finish, but I have already spent a lot of money recently on this hobby and would prefer not to have to spend a ton more right now.
So I guess my question boils down to this: are there any not-alclad paint brands out there that can give me a realistic dull aluminum sheen for this cockpit without figuratively annihilating my wallet. I am willing to try pretty much any type of paint*.
*If possible I would also like a brand with several shades of metallic colors so I can vary tones to avoid the monotonous single-shaded cockpit.
let me know if you have any suggestions on what brands I should try.
I use a couple different paints for that sort of work. I like Humbrol MetalCote matt aluminum and Testors makes a flat aluminum and a flat steel in their 1/4 oz. square bottles of enamel. All these are, of course, enamel, solvent-based paint because that’s what I use. There are probably acrylic versions that would fill your needs too.
I’ve used acrylic metallics with no issues whatsoever. Most time, I usually brush it on. I wouldn’t say all metallic acrylics are crap but it’s a matter of preference.
For a good dull aluminum shade, I prefer Humbrol 56. It’s a nice gray oxidized shade. Humbrol also makes some lighter “Metalcote” shades of aluminum, one buffable, one non, to vary your tones.
Vallejo have their own metal colours now but I’ve never used them so cant give an honest review. You could look at polishing pigments there are a couple out there
Both look good, I have the AK and it works fine but would be hard to use for a lot of the detail in a cockpit.
To behonest I love Alclad and while it will cost it will work for what your looking at. If you have an airbrush its the way to go and a bottle isnt that much
Testors has a flat aluminum in both the little square bottles and the MM line. I love the stuff- it is my go-to for a flat aluminum finish. They also have a flat steel in the little bottles that is a bit darker than the aluminum.
I am heading over to my local hobby store to look at those humbrol paints. I figure that I’ll wait until I’m building a natural-metal plane to dole out the money for that alclad. In the meantime I’ve painted small-detail parts with my alclad metallics, as they look pretty good on stuff like control sicks and whatnot.