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Armor/AFV: Techniques
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shell casings-painting help
rchristenson
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Alberta, Canada
Joined: June 13, 2008
KitMaker: 47 posts
Armorama: 35 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 04:27 PM UTC
i realize that somewhere in here is an answer to this question already, if only i had time to dig. what is the best method for making plastic tank shells look metallic. hoping for some ideas before i bugger it right up...
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 05:57 PM UTC
There are metalizer paints that give good effects. They have both brass and aluminum colors for the more common shells. They can be buffed to a huigh shine, or left as is to lok more used too.
rchristenson
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Alberta, Canada
Joined: June 13, 2008
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Posted: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 06:46 PM UTC
any particular brands to watch for? my LHS is actually a local computer/gaming shop just starting into kits and they are open to suggestions as to what to carry.
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 07:27 PM UTC
Testors Model Master has good metalizer paints. Their brand of paints in general are the best in my opinion. They match their colors to FS (Federal Standard) numbers, the Govt. system for paint colors. They also carry matched German, British, Russian, etc. paints. I would go with them.
rchristenson
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Alberta, Canada
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Posted: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 06:57 AM UTC
I checked out the testors; works slick thanks
Whiskey6
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: August 15, 2006
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Posted: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 11:40 AM UTC
Gino -

Can these be applied with a brush for all of us "low-tech" modelers who haven't yet invested in an air brush?

Thanks. Stay Safe.

Dave
wonktnodi
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Nevada, United States
Joined: September 07, 2005
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Posted: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 11:45 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Gino -

Can these be applied with a brush for all of us "low-tech" modelers who haven't yet invested in an air brush?

Thanks. Stay Safe.

Dave


Yes I haven't had any problems applying metalizer paints with a brush.
Belt_Fed
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: February 02, 2008
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Posted: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 12:14 PM UTC
thats odd. it says "airbrush Only" on the label.
wonktnodi
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 03:53 PM UTC

Quoted Text

thats odd. it says "airbrush Only" on the label.



As long as its small parts like 1/35 shell casings or something like that it can be painted by brush, it will take 2-3 coats for a good coverage. Now if someone was to use the metalizer paints on say a 1/48 scale aircraft wing or something large like that, then I would suggest using an airbrush to paint it on otherwise the finish might look very good. Experiment with it and see how it turns out. A soft bristle brush seems to work best with the metalizer paints.
wbill76
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Texas, United States
Joined: May 02, 2006
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Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - 07:30 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

thats odd. it says "airbrush Only" on the label.



As long as its small parts like 1/35 shell casings or something like that it can be painted by brush, it will take 2-3 coats for a good coverage. Now if someone was to use the metalizer paints on say a 1/48 scale aircraft wing or something large like that, then I would suggest using an airbrush to paint it on otherwise the finish might look very good. Experiment with it and see how it turns out. A soft bristle brush seems to work best with the metalizer paints.


I concur, I use the Testor's Metalizer line for detailing MGs, tools, etc. all the time and apply by brush without issues. The effect is different when applied by airbrush due to the tiny metallic flakes that are used to produce the "meatlizer" effect, but with small parts this isn't important. I normally don't have to do multiple coats though given the small surface area that I'm usually working with.

Just be mindful of the fumes, since it's lacquer based it's more potent than bottle paints and prolonged exposure is not a good idea. If I'm going to work with it for more than a few minutes, I always weare a paint breather mask even though I've got good ventilation in my work bench area.
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