Question about sealing mettalics

[Kangaroorex 21389]

I recently finished kaphrixis using the scale 75 copper metallics.  It's for a gift so it needs to be sealed and I am at a loss as to what to use.  Using either a glosscoat or a dullcote will change the brightness of the metal.  Does anyone  have suggestions on which way to go?  Or is there another option?  If it were to remain mine I would just put it in the display case unsealed.

 

Thanks for any help.

[Cicciopiu 1510]

For what I know... nope. If you want it to be shiny, at least.

[BLZeebub 1988]

I wouldn't think a gloss coat would negate the metallic effect.  Even a dullcoat will allow some sparkle through--though it can look more satiny than metallic with dull.  Gloss will just give it more bright high spots.

[Glitterwolf 144959]

I always seal, and the latest one with metallics ( Asian Dragon) and Ki'Rinn were sealed with Brush in sealer from Reaper ( Dragon) or Satin Antishine Spray from Army Painter ( KI'RInn).

When I painted my Scorpion in metallics I also used Brush on.

 

[ManvsMini 2230]

Will this gift end up being on display or handled, do you think? I don't know much about the scale 75 paint line, so I don't know how durable it is.

 

You could always varnish it (gloss and matte) then go back and re-highlight some spots to bring the metal brightness back. Just do some edges.

[LittleBluberry 31889]

7 hours ago, Kangaroorex said:

I recently finished kaphrixis using the scale 75 copper metallics.  It's for a gift so it needs to be sealed and I am at a loss as to what to use.  Using either a glosscoat or a dullcote will change the brightness of the metal.  Does anyone  have suggestions on which way to go?  Or is there another option?  If it were to remain mine I would just put it in the display case unsealed.

 

Thanks for any help.

 

Technically there is a scale for sheen (or gloss) levels.  House paint has eggshell, satin and semi-gloss, for example.  If you check an art supply shop you should be able to find at least a satin acrylic sealer.  If you used that and then touched up raised areas with gloss then you might get close to the effect you want.  I would try some tests first, though.

[DocPiske 3270]

Another option I have used is after sealing (which inevitably knocks down the gleam of the metal flakes) is to paint over just the highest highlights with a matching enamel metallic flake paint such as Testors. Used sparingly it brings back the gleam and is pretty durable.

[OneBoot 70147]

I would experiment with thinning Reaper Gloss Sealer to varying degrees (it's the only gloss sealer I have and have used it to seal my metallics). I wouldn't recommend anything intended to kill shine (even Reaper's Brush-on sealer has a bit of matting agent in it), since it will result in a duller finish. Which can be cool, but not if you want it to be shiny. 

 

I would strongly suggest doing a quick test mini (or section of one) painted the same as Kyphrixis to experiment on. Doing it on paper won't give a good feel for how the light will interact with a sealed 3D surface. 

 

I hope that helps! 

 

Huzzah! 

--OneBoot :D 

[Kangaroorex 21389]

Thanks to everyone for their input.  To answer the main question this is a display piece.  So far as I know the young lady it's for does not play rpgs or tabletop, Although this might change.  I am going to try a little experimentation with a second kaphrixis I am basecoating.  I have most of the sealers mentioned here and I can give them a try.  Here is what I am trying to seal, Although the camera does not do it justice

[Cicciopiu 1510]

It mostly depends on what you think is acceptable: 
if you use matt sealer you'll kill the metal shiny;
if you use a satin sealer you'll kill the metal shiny and make it look like the fake metal they use on kids toys;
if you use a glossy sealer it will look like metallic lacquers or metallized varnish on cars.

In a way or other you'll change it and it will not look like metal.
Anyway metal paints have an high resistance to manipulation, the only problem is that touching it with the fingers will kill the shiny too... 

[Kangaroorex 21389]

8 hours ago, Cicciopiu said:

It mostly depends on what you think is acceptable: 
if you use matt sealer you'll kill the metal shiny;
if you use a satin sealer you'll kill the metal shiny and make it look like the fake metal they use on kids toys;
if you use a glossy sealer it will look like metallic lacquers or metallized varnish on cars.

In a way or other you'll change it and it will not look like metal.
Anyway metal paints have an high resistance to manipulation, the only problem is that touching it with the fingers will kill the shiny too... 

this it pretty much my problem in a nutshell. 

On the plus side, it is on Bones material so its less likely to rub off than it would be on metal or resin.

[LittleBluberry 31889]

Given the size of the base and the fact that it's intended primarily for display, I'd honestly be tempted to not seal it.  Or at least not seal the metallic parts.