Grrrr...Silver is my new nemesis

bob242 · Post by **bob242** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:57 pm

Can't find a good silver. Seems that most of the ones I've tried come off very easy (or dull) when I need to handle them during final assembly and most of them HATE any kind of top coat.

What is a good metallic silver that I can actually handle long enough to glue into place and seal with out it graying on me?

Thomas E. Johnson · Post by **Thomas E. Johnson** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 3:39 am

I need a silver that I can paint over with other colors, then mask, and paint more colors, and not have the masks rip up the paint. I had that problem happen last night. The paint I put on over the silver came off with little difficulty.

Johnnycrash · Post by **Johnnycrash** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 8:56 am

Testors Spray Enamel #1246 Silver. This goes on very nice and smooth. I have not had any trouble with this paint. I use he 84g rattle can too. And it takes a top/clear coat no problem. I use, of course, Testors Spray Enamel #1814 Gloss Clear.

As for painting over it... Just about ANY silver paint will need a top coat before masking od any kind. Lay down your silver and lewt it fully cure. Top coat it with the clear of your choice (gloss/satin/flat), and again, allow to fully cure. Then, mask away, and you will have no troubles.

Thomas E. Johnson · Post by **Thomas E. Johnson** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:34 am

Thanks John.

Digger1 · Post by **Digger1** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:47 am

bare-metal, alclad, testors' metalizer...

tonyG2 · Post by **tonyG2** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:22 am

Use a low tack masking tape as well. Or something like parafilm.

Woolworths (of all people) used to sell a rattlecan of silver that went on smooth and hard. Never had any problems with it subbing, tarnishing or lifting.

Can't recall who made it and of course I chucked the last can I had only to find there was nothing similar at my local store.

bob242 · Post by **bob242** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:52 am

Haven't found good source for Alclad or even the Testors Metalizer. It's weird around here with hobby supplies...very similar to an outlet mall were inventory is just random and disturbing.

Might try the Testors enamel, but enamel makes me nervous. Makes me recall my childhood with big gobby chunks of paint and sticky brushes that never came clean. I know it's a rattle can, but still, enamel scarred me early.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 1:18 pm

Gunze Gundam Plated Silver Merker.

or Alclad II. Polished Aluminum has become a fav but you've got to have an AB to use it.

Romulan Spy · Post by **Romulan Spy** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 6:30 pm

I like Floquil Bright Silver.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/ ... -51001.jpg

I primed this P-51 with Testor's Gloss Black enamel, thinned about 70% with lacquer thinner. After drying a few days, I sprayed Bright Silver, thinned again about 70% with lacquer thinner. As you can see the finish is shiny and tough.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/ ... y/b022.jpg

I was able to use low tack tape to mask and spray the olive drab camo, and the invasion stripes. One small patch of O.D. needed to be re-sprayed, but the silver stayed put.

Post by **TER-OR** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:38 pm

bob242 wrote:Haven't found good source for Alclad or even the Testors Metalizer. It's weird around here with hobby supplies...very similar to an outlet mall were inventory is just random and disturbing.

Might try the Testors enamel, but enamel makes me nervous. Makes me recall my childhood with big gobby chunks of paint and sticky brushes that never came clean. I know it's a rattle can, but still, enamel scarred me early.

Then you're in luck, Metalizers are lacquer. They're also quite fragile.

Alclad is your best bet. Use a good primer beneath, shiny for chrome. Tamiya's black works fine, as does Gunze-Sangyo 1000 rattlecan.

And you're in luck - Hannant's carries Alclad.
They make several shades of aluminum, and the chrome silver is astonishing. It's pretty hard, and a bit if future with a bit of India Ink will give it some definition if you need.

www.hannants.co.uk
Don't go dropping too much money there!