Folks: there is a new product making big waves in the auto modeling world; a paint marker called Liquid Chrome. That name is not an idle boast...it dries quickly to a sheen that is at least 90% of a chrome plated part. So, if you are doing anything with headlights, et al, use this stuff as your base. The 1mm tip is ideal for this and has great control. The finished lights will look better than anything you've seen. I have my Tamiya Type 10 tank done this way and even under a screen cover, the headlights look real.

And where can we find it?

I think what he is talking about is a Molotow pen, which is an excellent product. I'm not sure where the best place to find one is, I got mine at AMPS in Danbury this year.

Jack, at Model Roundup, carries Molotow Markers, Replacement Tips & Refills.

They can also be purchased here:

http://hobbyworld-usa.com/

I have ordered from here once before, and experienced no issues.

Yes, MOLOTOW.

Head lights on military vehicles (and sci-fi) and automobile model chrome touch ups is exactly why I bought a couple from my LHS.

Okay, maybe I'm missing something here. THis is a paint pen, right? $10 for a chrome paint pen?

I just use Testors Chrome Silver enamel paint. I've had this bottle for ten years and it's only $2.

Steve, this stuff is so much brighter than ANY silver chrome paint you can't believe it until you see it. I thought it was BS, frankly, til I bought one from the LHS; now I'm a believer! It really is worth even more than the $10 dollars.

You can find them, here -
https://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagories/browse.php?pg=1&ppp=48&sb=stocknumber&so=a&kw=mirror&man=MLW

Okay, I'm game. I gotta see this.

Friends, this product looks great,

Let me be clear ...I have not tested any products in quite a while, and therefore my knowledge might be out of date. As an artist I've had to be wary and test the color "fastness" of many products I will want to use - and some metal colors are vulnerable to oxidation.

Pre Y2K, Gold paint pens used to be susceptible to long term color change.

These facts came to be seen because photographers trended to use gold pens for their signature; and as a ProPicture Framer we saw the photos come in over the years. and the gold had turned to a dull copper hue.



I'm just saying it would be worthwhile to test the product by leaving a sample use in sunlight for a few months.

If a color is a fast fader it is referred to as 'fugitive'...this usually shows up in red tones first

(do you recall old movie posters left up in windows...they are faded to a light blue tone. That's because we see the light reflected, not the light that the paint/dye absorbs.
Red paint/dye absorbs the "high frequency blue" and therefore its the first color to fade. Sunlight, Halogen and Fluorescent, put out the most 'blue' light. )

otherwise I'd try to see if WindsorNewton gold or silver ink could hold to a primer surface.

From personal experience , It is NOT fun to put a lot of work into something and one of the products does not hold up as it should have. If I'm gonna take the time to paint...I'll always take the time to do a color sample board and put it up in a window for a while.

(( sorry if TMI ))

P.S. also be careful some metallic finishes WILL change drastically under the finishing (glossy/matte) layers,
(I used a beautiful gun metal blue toned silver leaf on a project and it would turn dull-grey / blackened under ANY finish I applied.,,,, Frustrating because that project cost more than a 1/35th Dora).

Just to make sure that there isn't any misunderstanding as to what this is, this is an ink, not paint. Check out (meaning read through the entire thread) More On Molotow Pens. These are car modelers who know from chrome finishes. If they're satisfied with the stuff, 'nuff said.

You can't use an enamel or lacquer clearcoat over the chrome ink because it will flatten out the metallic particles in the ink, causing them to align, altering their reflectivity and dull the finish. Pledge Floor Care Tile & Vinyl Floor Finish with Future Shine, which is an acrylic, is a great sealant. It's clear, easily applied with an airbrush, dries quickly and will have minimal to no effect on the chrome. You can also use Pledge over Alclad without affecting the finish, btw.

Nice reference!

This sounds great; does anyone know of a UK stockist? I have a Jaguar Staff car project which needs to be pimped accordingly.

They have them on Amazon here

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/qm9/Molotow-Liquid-Chrome-Pump-Marker-Pen-1mm/B01E7EFSVU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497789168&sr=8-2&keywords=molotow+chrome

although I bought mine from a regular art supplies shop here in Nz so imagine they would also be in UK shops.

Wow! Thanks for that - very helpful and prompt - 'just ordered one now; thanks again and proof of the helpfulness of Armorama!

Brian

A user's impressions on Track-link.

KL

The Hobbycraft chain stock Molotow products in the UK. I've certainly bought Molotow spray cans from there. I haven't seen the pens, but then I haven't been looking.