I recently returned from the big EAA airshow in Oshkosh, WI. While looking at a lot of the warbirds up close, I noticed that many of them seem to be painted in a silver or aluminum colored lacquer. For instance, some of the P-51s there were painted all over with this paint, some had it only on the wing surfaces and the remainder was bare polished aluminum. Almost all of them had the paint on the panel close to the exhaust stacks.
Has anyone tried replicating this paint? I am wanting to build a “airshow” P-51, with most surfaces polished bright with Allclad polished aluminum, but I am wanting to use a paint to simulate the paint I mentioned above.
I have considered trying some testors Aluminum enamel (not the metalizer).
I’ve used Humbrol Metal-Cote Polished Aluminum to replicate that silver lacquer finish on a P-51D. This is a tough finish, can be polished if desired, works well with decals and handles well too. Floquil Old Silver or even Bright Silver works good too. For highly polished NMF, I’ve had good results with SnJ aluminum polished with their aluminum powder. A natural metal finish is not difficult but you have to be very careful with the surface prep. Good luck!
I haven’t used Humbrol, but Gary’s suggestion of Floquil’s silvers is good. They have both of the colors he mentioned, plus “Platinum Mist,” which is also good.
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Here’s a B-17B I did with one of the Floquils, but I don’t remember which. Floquil also gives a very durable finish and can stand up to masking pretty well.
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