Not owning an airbrush, and preferring to use Humbrol enamels, I am looking for the most successful way to replicate aluminium panels, without ending up with a grainy finish. I assume a light grey undercoat would be sensible starting point. Any suggestions?

Following my earlier question, I have come across Humbrol's YouTube presentation on their Acrylic Aluminium Metalcote spray. Has anyone had experience of using this paint?

When putting on natural metal finishes on aircraft kits, a lot of us put down a semi-gloss black base coat.

Funny you should mention that ! I just started painting my 1/32 P51 with a grey undercoat , and will use the Metal coat . ill keep you posted .

MIG do a range of oils which are applied with a brush and then buffed smooth with a cloth etc. Only tried the gun metal colour but pretty effective. May be worth considering?

Gary

Gunze Mr Metal range can be easily brush painted and is an enamel. It can be buffed once dry for an even brighter shine.

Another option might be bare metal foil.

Can't seem to find the info now but I've seen a video or maybe it was a magazine article where the modeler dry brushes the metal finish on the model surface. I think he was using the thickened pigments from the bottom. The result was very realistic. Probably a lot harder than it appeared but really looked good.

Try new Metal Color range by Vallejo:
http://cdn.acrylicosvallejo.com/a9bab9eb9f21021ef00d5efcaf826229/CC069-Rev01-baja.pdf
Water based metal paints with a great finish