“Best” Aluminium Paint

[topgazza]

Garry, I don't possess an A.B. preferring to brush paint all my stuff. I use Vallejo Model Air acrylics. I prefer this rather than Model Colour, as it is already thinned down and works a treat when brush applied straight from the bottle. Keep in mind, the first coat will not have much 'body' but the second will make it pop, so it will take a couple of coats to get the desired result, especially the metallics. I used Vallejo Air Aluminium 71062 on a recent Mustang build on here and I was happy with the final aluminium finish.

I use Air for brushing as well Ron. For the same reasons as you. It brushes beautifully. I think the nature of the parts, very thin wheel suspension, isnt helping as any metallic would stuggle because of lack of reflection in such a tiny area. Maybe I'm expecting too much as it seems Ok on larger areas. Reminding myself that aluminium is generally a fairly muted effect and not shiny and sparkly like chrome.

I'll have play though. Who said this hobby was cheap ? No one thats who....:tears-of-joy::tears-of-joy::tears-of-joy:

[AlanG]

I used to use the 'old' Vallejo metal colours but as you've found, they are pants.

The 'new' Vallejo Metal Color range is fantastic. I've used it on my P-38 build (link found in my sig). They are great to airbrush and also they go on great with a normal brush. The bottles come with a ball bearing in them so they are easy to mix. Decent range of colours too.

[topgazza]

I was looking at those today Alan. Thats one of the ones I'll be getting. Reading specs and a review they seem to have a denser mix of colour. and it shows on that lovely P38. And I like a good ball bearing.

Update: I have two bottles of Vallejo Air Aluminium. never thought about trying the second. It was fine with a nice satin aluminium clours. Investigated the first bottle and 60% of the paint was a huge solid lump of mettalic. It must have been old stock. However after much pummelling and breaking up with a brush handle its now loose and the paint is OK. I wouldnt use it for AB mind you as there are bits in it but its OK for small components. So I've got for spraying still but I will try the Metal and Humbrol for brushing. Just to be safe

[BigGreg]

Have you tried this... is like liquid metal

https://www.molotow.com/anwendungen/marker-anwendungen/liquid-chrometm

[topgazza]

Wow, that stuff is astonishing. It is liquid metal :flushed:

[Guest]

I have one of the molotow chrome pens, works great. Haven't had the bottle to decant it into the airbrush yet though!

[BigGreg]

Wow, thats stuff is astonishing. It is liquid metal :flushed:

check this out

[stillp]

+1 for the pens. Strangely, if you use it on the back of something like a headlamp lens, it doesn't seem as good when looked at through the plastic as it does when viewed from the side it was applied on.
Pete