silver paint sheen!

[jspitza]

Hello all:

A quick question about my current project-Silver enamel is being used, rustolium aluminum and when applied straight from the can@around12 psi, the finish just looked perfect. I’m building the new giant Zepplin from hawk and plan to hang it in our new baby’s nursery. Sorry, the Wife lost that one! Anyway, after a few layers in between 24 hour coats, I noticed that the beautiful “over the top” shine had diminished somewhat. Also, on my “final” coat I kinda hit the side with my hand and needed to up the psi to 20-25 psi for that extra oomph…. Now, even though the paint has dried and looks dam near perfect I went to use the Testors MM gloss enamel. Again, mixing with about 3 lacquer to 1 parts thinner @ 12 psi I now see a great even surface but no gloss. Am I to wet or dry sand this with my 3200 cloth? I don’t understand how the sheen has diminished even though I sanded between coats of paint then applied the gloss coat. Any thoughts? Thanks guys (again), Jeff

[Guest]

Most silver paints are particles held in suspension in a carrier liquid. When the liquid evaporates and the paint dries you are left with the particles and pigments which can form quite a matt surface. Sometimes modellers want this but sometimes they want a gloss finish.

I would experiment off the model with very fine wet and dry, with a bit of warm soapy water before a final coat of a clear gloss coat. It might take a few coats of gloss to completely smooth over the finish. Have a look at the motorcycles in my gallery. The Harley was finished by first painting silver then covering it with Tamiya clear blue. It took five coats of the blue to give it a good gloss finish.

Don't forget though, a Zeppellin was an aluminium structure covered with cloth painted silver so although you will see a sheen to the surface it was not what you would describe as a high gloss. The straight silver paint might be a more realistic finish anyway.

[jspitza]

Cool, Thanks Bunker............. Actually, I really think the finish I have now is pretty close but I really want that crazy shine. It's more for decoration and fun rather than realism. That thing looked pretty patched up and I don't want to scare the poor kid! So, maybe a few more coats then with a little rinse in between then. I can do this for sure!

[Guest]

hope you get the desired finish. make sure you get some pics up when its done!

[wonwinglo]

Paint it silver then add Johnsons Klear/Future with a large mop brush,that will make it shine !

[jspitza]

Oh yeah............I do have 1 bottle of future left-this should be enough!

You know that this thing is 41 inches long, right? I've spent twice that of the model just in paint!

[jspitza]

Well, here she is! The mighty Zeppelin! This photo is also taken in our soon to be Son's nursery who should be here the Nov27th:dancing1: Wow, what a project but It looks pretty cool. It's probably not the most precise model but it has a lighted gondola and big decals. I finally found some paint that I loved-auto acrylic! It's GM standard silver with a gloss coat. It seems larger than life which is fine by us! Anyway, I can't thank this forum enough for your help, guidance and lessons that are so important to teach the little one. i think I'm a bit impatient, maybe a little frantic when it comes to building models but I'm really wanting to practice my teaching skills as I'll surly need em'. I think that this rushing also comes from needing a stress outlet because we are so.....close to the delivery (my Wife rather). OK, time to breathe and concentrate on my current project which is one of the revell uboats!!!

[jspitza]

the pictures!

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[Guest]

Nice one Jeff. It's a smashing looking zep.

Good luck to you and your wife for the imminent new arrival.

[Guest]

I think that's great. Most youngsters start off with a play school mobile above thier cots, your has a Zeppelin!! Brilliant.

As for the u-boat there are plentry of pictures and postings regarding that particular model on here, including my own build thread. Enjoy, it's a fantastic kit. Try to get it finished before the baby arrives though because you'll have no time afterwards!!

[wonwinglo]

Awesome model.

[Guest]

Try the clear acrylic laquer sold by Halfords for over coating metalic car paints gives a good high gloss, can are a good size, but as ever try on sample surface first:thinking::thinking:

[Guest]

Very Nice Looking Model,

Another alternative for that chrome paint effect is Chrome SolarTrim (Made by same people who make SolarFilm for R/C Models) This stuff is self adhesive and only needs to be heated to fit around complex curves. The Chrome finish is 2nd to none and you can apply it in panels too which would give a very scale effect on the zeppelin too !!

Regards....Mark.

[jspitza]

Guys, you are all too kind! Blue wave: I don't think I'll ever do silver again! :grinball2:And great build threads too! I've been stocking up so I think after the uboat is finished, I'll move towards the Zevda sp? Russian battle ship. Oh yes, the kid too!

[Guest]

That is a brilliant model there well done it is nicely finished.