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Buffable Metallics


Hells_Clown
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Buffable metallics are paints that are intended for the model building crowd, and meant to produce high shine metallic finish, such as seen on aircraft. There are a number of different brands on the market (Alclad, Testors Metallizer, Gunze Sangyo Mr. Metal), but most are pretty similar. They are paints, often in a laquer base (meaning you need turpentine or mineral spirits to clean your brushes) designed to buff up to a sheen. Usually after application they look fairly dull, but you then buff them (such as with a Q-tip, or a piece of toilet paper) until they take on more of a sheen.

 

As I said, they're intended to do natural metal finishes for aircraft models. However, some historical figure painters in larger scales (54mm and up) are starting to use them to do armor finishes. I'm at work right now, but I have an article at home detailing how to do this. If I remember I'll post a link.

 

Probably the easiest to find is Testors Metallizer. Read the bottle as they make both buffable and non-buffing metal paints.

 

I have an Andrea crossbowman that I blackprimed the armor parts last week, and I intend to start painting sometime next week with metallizers. If thre's interest I'll discuss my results at a future date. Sorry, no pics as I don't have a digital camera.

 

Damon.

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Buffable metallics are mostly used in the modeling circles. Testor's metalizer's are buffable paints, but, there are also non buffing ones too. The Alclad metalics are non buffable and unlike the Testor's brand they don't require sealing. If you don't seal the Testor's paint it will just rub off and leave you with a nasty looking undercoat.

 

All of the buffing paints and all of the Alclad paints are airbrush only. You could use a paintbrush but it would look like regular metallic paints.

 

For an axample of a mini painted with Testor's Aluminum buffing metallic check out this mini on my site. CAV Falcon

 

If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.

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That's an interesting article. If you use a similar aproach on the Andrea fig I'd like to here your comments on the experience. Everything I've heard about the Alclad line says you can't use it as a brush on but the Mr. Metal line from Gunze Sangyo is brushable. thanks.

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Not neccessarily true Ghost Rider! You CAn brush them, and they should buff up. I've actually been doing research on this, trying to learn more about it. Here's a link: http://members.aol.com/MMSI2K/newmmsipages...esarmor.htm#Top

 

Damon.

Sorry LP,

 

I meant to say that the alclad ones are airbrush only. You can brush the testor's on then buffing it.

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I finally got around to base painting the armor on my figure. I started with the helmet ( a very wide and smooth kettle helm) I used a 50/50 mix of Testors Metalizer Stainless Steel and Burnt Iron, making a good dark steel color. It took a couple coats to achieve full coverage (it's pretty thin). I left it dry for a few hours and then buffed it out with a Q-tip. It rapidly buffed up into a nice shine, without any evidence of metal flakes. I'm pretty pleased with the results, and intend to continue tomorrow with his poleyns. I've yet to determine how I'll paint the mail armor, or the studs in his brigantine jack. I'm going to let it dry thoroughly for a few days before shading (with a 25/75 mix of Stainless Steel & Burnt Iron) and a similar time for highlighting (as per previous but ratios reversed). Final step is a drybrush of Stainless Steel.

 

If I had a digital camera I would take pictures...

 

Damon.

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I do scale model cars and use both the alclad and the testors they don't go on as nicely or hold the same finish as when airbrushed versus brushed on. I am not sure why but it could be the feed or the the way the paint lays when painted with brush versus air brush. There are many ways to buff and change the finish its really nice the finishes you can get from them. The seal is also needed so that you don't kill the shine, or it oxidizes.

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I have to say I read this and immediately Rubb'N'Buff paints came to mind. It's a leafing product that you apply with your finger and then buff to a shine with your finger. It comes in tubes and has a wax base to it.

We wouldn't happen to be able to acquire this wonderful product at Michael's would we? ::P:

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I have to say I read this and immediately Rubb'N'Buff paints came to mind.  It's a leafing product that you apply with your finger and then buff to a shine with your finger.  It comes in tubes and has a wax base to it.

We wouldn't happen to be able to acquire this wonderful product at Michael's would we? ::P:

Yes actually you can find it at most craft stores.

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