Metal finish with Molotow

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Have any of you wanting that natural metal finish ever tried Molotow?

2

I tested Molotow a bit last year. I really liked how it looked when I sprayed it, but found it sprayed inconsistently. So the results weren’t predictable. I could never figure out why one shot would look perfect and the next (with all the same setup and air pressure) would look bad.

I still prefer it for some things though, like landing light lenses. They look fantastic when you just put a drop of the Molotow in them.

Will Pattison did a video about Molotow testing a while back. Below is a link to it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4nF6AxmhzE

Cheers,
Mark

3

Agreed with Mr Stecks. It is also extemely fragile, which limits the utility. But it’s great for oleos, landing light reflectors, and the like.

-J

4

I don’t think that that product gives a very realistic impression of a natural metal finish.

  • The final finish looks like chrome, which makes sense, since the label states ‘chrome’.
  • The finish is too fragile.
  • The final finish does not look like metal. Every panel looks the same.

I’ll stick with foil. I know that some modelers do not like foil, but I think that it gives the best impression of bare metal because it is metal.

5

It is a great product but one of four I use for metal.

I primarily use Molotow for the small trim bits on cars that were chromeplated on the real car. I also use it for the shiny parts of hydraulic struts, lights etc. I found that coating it with Future (or whatever it’s called these days!) after it dries protects it without compromising the gloss on small bits.

For the small trim on cars that is stainless steel or polished aluminum on the real car, I use a Pilot brand silver paint marker pen in 1mm size. The product is similar to Molotow but look more like those metals than like chrome.

For larger chrome areas I still use BMF.

Finally for large aircaft surfaces I use Alclad in a variety of metals. (Side note; a question is sometimes asked on these forums of what is a replacement for the discontinued Floquil Old Silver. To my eye Alclad Duralumin comes close enough.)

6

Nice tip! Thanks for the link!! I agree the product is simply too delicate, certainly not durable if one is seeking a chrome look. Best for small bits such as oleos, landing light lenses etc…