Perfect mirror metal finish - options and suggestions?

PetarB · Post by **PetarB** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 6:39 pm

One of my 'quests' as a modeller has been to get a perfect mirror metal finish. I've experimented with all kinds of paints. My best results, predictably, are with Alclad's Chrome.

I'm wondering what other possibilities are available, thinking outside the airbrush-sized box.

Kosutte Gin-san is a japanese product that I have not yet tried, but am keen to. My only issue is that I've heard the finish does not react well to handling. I don't really handle my models that much, but it' something that turns me off this a little.

Bare Metal Foil is another possibility. I've use it in small amounts to good effect - take a look at the lights in this build for example. I also used to use it when I did car modeling. However I'm not sure how it will work out over large surfaces. Wrinkles and joining seams can be tough to hide. I'd love to hear other experiences.

Plating and Chroming - MicroMark offer a small chroming system, for example. I believe some people offer services where they will chrome your parts. This doesn't really appeal to me, for the reason that I prefer to do everything myself - but I think it might be useful for some things. Im not sure whether it works properly on plastic though? My understanding for electroplating solutions like this is that your subject needs to be metal, but I could be wrong. Would love to hear other people's experiences on this.

Other than those three options that I don't really know too much about, I'm not really aware of any others... but I would love to hear about them, if anyone has anything to contribute.

Alex Dumas · Post by **Alex Dumas** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:35 pm

I wonder if this is any good. Probably similar to bare metail foil I guess (!?)

http://www.hlj.com/product/HSGTF1

I have no experience myself but I will sure follow this thread with great interest while looking at my new Naboo fighter

PetarB · Post by **PetarB** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:38 pm

I've used that product to good effect. It's basically foil. Very thin, not that adhesive, which is actually a good quality, since you need to pull it off sometimes and reposition! I might take a look at how it goes on the Naboo fighter, when I get around to it...

Joseph Osborn · Post by **Joseph Osborn** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:50 pm

There is another paint, similar to Alclad Chrome, called Spaz-Stik or something like that. I've seen some head-to-head tests of it against Alclad Chrome and it is actually shinier than the Alclad. Supposedly it is easier to apply, too, and does not have the peculiar undercoating issues that you sometimes see with Alclad.

Here's the result of a quick Google search:
http://new.acme-ipms.com/content.php?12 ... -Spaz-Stix

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:57 pm

As with Alclad or any of the high shine metal finishes surface prep is paramount. Even with a thick base coat you'll see every flaw. Polishing the surface is mandatory if you're looking for maximum effect. Even with a super high end product like Alsa you've got to have a totally smooth surface. Oddly enough, just like real chrome.

Bare Metal Foil is a little thicker than the Hasegawa film but when burnished down it'll show a scratch almost as much as the Alclad will. You can also try straight aluminum foil, which will take a polish like no other. Due to its thickness you can hide flaws in teh surface better but it can also obscure detail.

As a note, Gunze has a line of super metallics that are much like Alclad. I've never worked with the Kosutte Gin-san but Alclad (and some Testors Metalizers) are buffable and can result in a higher shine. I do find it interesting that all I can find comparing Kosutte Gin-san to Alclad is the same images and thread. Nothing from anybody else, course that may be due to difficulty in getting Kosutte Gin-san here in the states. Can't seem to find anyone that sells it.

I wonder what would happen if I tried polishing Alclad with powdered aluminum...

kenno3 · Post by **kenno3** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 2:39 am

I was searching for this too and went to a hobby store to find chrome paint but they didnt have any real chrome paint.
I saw a tray of chrome parts and they told me about a Chrome plating service for plastic:

http://www.chrometechusa.com/model-cars ... ibles.html

I also bought a chrome metal spray paint from Home Depot. I wanted to brush it on, but that didnt work. Spraying on works better, and ill try to post results later.

Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Bright Coat 11 oz. Gloss Chrome Rust Preventive Spray Paint
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... reId=10051

Rocketeer · Post by **Rocketeer** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:49 am

I've seen BareMetal foil on large surfaces, and there tend to be wrinkles. And the foil has a slight yellowish sheen.

I've had "chrome" plating done on model car parts, and the result is far superior to any of the alternatives. It's not really chrome; the process uses pure aluminum, electrodeposited in a vacuum chamber. You affix your parts to a little frame to put into the plating fixture, then send the frame-with-parts in to the plating company, and a few weeks later (they do the parts in batches) you get your parts back. I've forgotten who I had do it, but a quick look through the ads pages of Scale Auto Enthusiast or Model Car Builder would give you a couple vendors.

(Just read kenno3's post): Yes, ChromeTech, that's who I had do it.

Saturn · Post by **Saturn** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:06 am

Joseph Osborn wrote: Here's the result of a quick Google search:
http://new.acme-ipms.com/content.php?12 ... -Spaz-Stix

I've seen a lot of NMF (natural metal finish) comparisons, on a lot of modeling sites... and there's something funny yet mind bogglingly ingenious about using plastic spoons to do it.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:57 am

The biggest issue with plated parts is cost and time.

rayra · Post by **rayra** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:35 pm

the smoother the undercoat and the lighter application of ALCLAD the better. You can get some amazing results with it using 5-6 very light passes, building up the reflectivity a bit at a time. If you go for full coverage in 1 pass or two, you might as well be spraying krylon.

'Chrome' on a PVC pipe
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/r ... lepipe.jpg

'Polished Aluminum' on a resin PPG
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/r ... /myPPG.jpg

Used the chrome in the engine nozzles of a Star Destroyer as well, to boost the lighting effects
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/r ... amera2.jpg

Glorfindel · Post by **Glorfindel** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:26 pm

Joseph Osborn wrote:There is another paint, similar to Alclad Chrome, called Spaz-Stik or something like that.

Anything called Spaz-Stik sounds dangerous to me. I will shun it!

DaveVan · Post by **DaveVan** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:45 pm

Alclad folks were set up across the isle from me at a model show last Sat. Their new Alclad II stuff they had looked FANTASTIC....not tried it myself yet.

Post by **TER-OR** » Fri May 04, 2012 7:03 pm

Alclad is outstanding. You have to see the Dark Aluminum in person. It doesn't take great pictures but it is sexy as hell. Airframe Aluminum is up there, too.

Migmaker · Post by **Migmaker** » Fri May 04, 2012 9:09 pm

Kosutte Gin SUN (Paint)

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10011510

Kekker · Post by **Kekker** » Fri May 04, 2012 10:45 pm

Migmaker wrote:Kosutte Gin SUN (Paint)

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10011510

Whoah...

Gimme...

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sat May 05, 2012 12:26 am

I just hope they tweeked the formula so it's not as toxic as it used to be.

Scanam2006 · Post by **Scanam2006** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 9:15 am

Alclad is the best but very expensive. the chrome is perfect when you need a very bright surface. also most shades can be mixed so an infinite number of tones can be created.
When I use chrome the surface is painted with gloss black and then sanded and polished it a pefect gloss