Questions about Alclad
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Questions about Alclad
What can anyone tell me about Alclad? I've heard good things, but have some questions; Is it airbrush only, or does it come in a can? Brush? Is it suitable for outside applications? How 'foolproof' is it? Where can one obtain it?
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Mr. Badwrench
- Posts: 9587
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- Location: Wheatridge, Co.
AFAIK, Alclad is airbrush only. I don't think it comes in a spray can, or if it does, I've never seen it. It can't be brushed on. In most cases, it needs to go on over a gloss black primer coat. Coming out of the airbrush it is almost completely transparent. But it doesn't take long for the color to build up mirror bright. As usual with metallic paints, it will expose every little flaw in the surface of the model. In fact, using Alclad is a good way to turn up little flaws and scratches that would otherwise be hard to see.
I speak of the pompatous of plastic.
You can brush Alclad but you destroy the brush in the process and it's not good for large areas.
Being lacquer based it can be pretty foolproof but, as BW said, it's show every stinking flaw in the plastic so prep is vital.
The polished paints (chrome, polished aluminum, & stainless steel) require a dark base, either black plastic or gloss black paint. Otherwise they look odd.
Don;t know if Alclad has an online store or not, takes some shopping around to find it sometimes.
SpazStix also has a nice chrome but a more limited metal paint selection.
Being lacquer based it can be pretty foolproof but, as BW said, it's show every stinking flaw in the plastic so prep is vital.
The polished paints (chrome, polished aluminum, & stainless steel) require a dark base, either black plastic or gloss black paint. Otherwise they look odd.
Don;t know if Alclad has an online store or not, takes some shopping around to find it sometimes.
SpazStix also has a nice chrome but a more limited metal paint selection.
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kenlilly106
- Posts: 1302
- Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 12:18 am
- Location: in the mountains
Due to the lacquer/acetone base, painting directly on to bare plastic can be risky, it depends on the kit plastic. The key point is to start with light coats.
Note that the base coat requirements are very specific depending on the final color. For example, chrome requires a different base than polished aluminum.
Alclad had a problem last year where the paint would never fully cure out, it stayed sticky indefinitely. The new production run solved the problem, but any bottles that were made back then could be sitting on store shelves, there's no lot or production number to indicate which batch it is. Buying from a online store with good stock rotation is about the only way to be sure.
Ken
Note that the base coat requirements are very specific depending on the final color. For example, chrome requires a different base than polished aluminum.
Alclad had a problem last year where the paint would never fully cure out, it stayed sticky indefinitely. The new production run solved the problem, but any bottles that were made back then could be sitting on store shelves, there's no lot or production number to indicate which batch it is. Buying from a online store with good stock rotation is about the only way to be sure.
Ken