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Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: Doug ex-em4 on June 22, 2022, 12:27:07 PM
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Not sure if this should go here or Workbench.
Can anyone recommend a paint or a painting technique to achieve the look of highly polished steel - I’m thinking of a Lifeguards cuirass. I find silver to be quite a dull finish (I’m using Vallejo).
Doug
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Assuming white metal alloy wargame figures not resin or plastics you can do this by burnishing with a rounded end needle (leatherwork not tailoring).
Quite a common technique with 54mm and above display modellers (often with a dremel ball tip on larger models). Works well in conjunction with Tamiya "Smoke" translucent paint to give the shading and roll edges.
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I agree with Robh, but I use a small wire brush (originally for bringing
up the knap on suede shoes. Very good on fully armoured things like
Wars of the Roses dismounted knights, as once you have burnished
& sealed it with Tamiya 'smoke' you have to carefully undercoat &
paint all the non metallic bits (face, gloves, boots, belts etc.)
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You can buy chrome pens in decent art shops. Take a bit of practise though.
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There is some polishable metallic paint by Gunze Sangyo called Mr. Metal Color (different metals). It works perfectly on strictly even surfaces, but any varnish will destroy the effect.
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https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/30ml-xtreme-metal-chrome-ak-interactive-ak-477-p4837/?utm_source=Google%20Shopping&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=52720&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr4PoqajB-AIVDO7tCh3CEwd0EAQYASABEgIRZfD_BwE
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Assuming white metal alloy wargame figures not resin or plastics you can do this by burnishing with a rounded end needle (leatherwork not tailoring).
Quite a common technique with 54mm and above display modellers (often with a dremel ball tip on larger models). Works well in conjunction with Tamiya "Smoke" translucent paint to give the shading and roll edges.
I agree with Robh, but I use a small wire brush (originally for bringing
up the knap on suede shoes. Very good on fully armoured things like
Wars of the Roses dismounted knights, as once you have burnished
& sealed it with Tamiya 'smoke' you have to carefully undercoat &
paint all the non metallic bits (face, gloves, boots, belts etc.)
Interesting. May be a bit fiddly on the back and breast of a 28mm figure but worth a go - doesn’t cost anything….thanks for the input.
You can buy chrome pens in decent art shops. Take a bit of practise though.
I’ll have a look at them - thanks.
There is some polishable metallic paint by Gunze Sangyo called Mr. Metal Color (different metals). It works perfectly on strictly even surfaces, but any varnish will destroy the effect.
Sounds like it may not be suitable in this case but thanks for the info…
https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/30ml-xtreme-metal-chrome-ak-interactive-ak-477-p4837/?utm_source=Google%20Shopping&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=52720&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr4PoqajB-AIVDO7tCh3CEwd0EAQYASABEgIRZfD_BwE
This looks the easiest - have you used it?
Doug
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I quite like Chainmail Silver in the Vallejo Game Color range
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This looks the easiest - have you used it?
Yep - got some when it was launched. It's very good but, for me at least, has limited applications so ended up passing it on to a mate rather than have yet another pot sitting around, gathering dust, never being used
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I quite like Chainmail Silver in the Vallejo Game Color range
That’s the range I use - I must double check and see if I’ve got that one.
Yep - got some when it was launched. It's very good but, for me at least, has limited applications so ended up passing it on to a mate rather than have yet another pot sitting around, gathering dust, never being used
I missed out there, didn’t I? :D
Doug
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To be heretical the GW/Citadel metallics are quite good. They need a damn good shake and stir. I think Runefang steel is the brightest silver metal paint.
The only other GW paints I use are the orange ones.
Foundry metals are so-so not used them as much - but otherwise they are my go too range.
I generally paint the figure, varnish it, and even using non shine army painter spray I end up doing another coat of the brightest silver for weapons.
ironically the medieval swords in museums are much duller, probably due to ageing process/oxidisation.
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On 15 mm figures I use craft paint silver as it's very bright and glossy. I normally add black to tone it down but will highlight with the neat paint for white harness etc. I also blend the layers with a dilute wash of matt black. Examples in links:
https://blog.vexillia.me.uk/2019/04/tudor-commanders-at-bosworth-1485.html
https://blog.vexillia.me.uk/2021/05/15-mm-war-of-roses-commanders-redux.html
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To be heretical the GW/Citadel metallics are quite good. They need a damn good shake and stir. I think Runefang steel is the brightest silver metal paint.
The only other GW paints I use are the orange ones.
Foundry metals are so-so not used them as much - but otherwise they are my go too range.
I generally paint the figure, varnish it, and even using non shine army painter spray I end up doing another coat of the brightest silver for weapons.
ironically the medieval swords in museums are much duller, probably due to ageing process/oxidisation.
Thanks, Giles - I’ll have a look at the GW item. For most metal these days, I tend to use non-metallic paints - greys and white highlights. I’m not keen on silver for swords and armour. But these cuirasses are a different thing altogether being deliberately burnished to a dazzling brightness. There’s no thought of practicality :)
On 15 mm figures I use craft paint silver as it's very bright and glossy. I normally add black to tone it down but will highlight with the neat paint for white harness etc. I also blend the layers with a dilute wash of matt black. Examples in links:
https://blog.vexillia.me.uk/2019/04/tudor-commanders-at-bosworth-1485.html
https://blog.vexillia.me.uk/2021/05/15-mm-war-of-roses-commanders-redux.html
Thanks. Your examples show a nice finish for serious armour that is meant to be fought in but see my above reply regarding these cuirasses that I’m on about. They have a totally impractical finish, which is what I’m trying to replicate. I’m tempted now to go for a duller finish and claim that they’ve been rendered thus by the exigencies of active service. But really, I’d like the super-shine.
Doug
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I've not used them but don't forget the Vallejo metal colour and liquid metal options.
Humbrol enamel silver was impressively bright and shiny when I was a kid - can you still get that?
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Vallejo Metal colour is excellent for silvers. Very fine pigment so good bright colouration. Needs to go on a black undercoat to get the best effect though, as do all metallics in my experience.
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I've used Revell Metallics for an unpainted finish Aluminium cargo plane which was quite effective. Don't know if there's a chrome equivalent but might be worth a look. Scale 75 Metal 'n' Alchemy White maybe but won't provide the almost mirror finish you're after. Have you investigated paints available for RC Cars?
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Humbrol do a polished steel paint, I think you paint it on, then buff it up gently? That’s at least what I remember anyway!
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Plenty of ideas, thanks everyone. Some are a bit expensive for just 10 figures but the Humbrol could be just the job and pretty cheap. I think I’ll get some of that.
I’ll report back.
Thanks
Doug
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Straight Silver, then a thin black wash, then drybrush with the Silver again.
It's fast, cheap, and gives a it a "rubbed steel" look that I like.
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Humbrol metalcote is starting to be a rare bird, especially in the US and Europe, so if you like it, stock up.
PS, you do know it’s not acrylic, right. It’s best cleaned off the brush in white spirit. Just don’t want you wrecking a good brush by trying to wash it in water ;)
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Straight Silver, then a thin black wash, then drybrush with the Silver again.
It's fast, cheap, and gives a it a "rubbed steel" look that I like.
I’ve been thinking since my last message. The Humbrol is cheap enough - the postage costs more than the product - but I don’t think I can be bothered. And as mentioned here:
Humbrol metalcote is starting to be a rare bird, especially in the US and Europe, so if you like it, stock up.
PS, you do know it’s not acrylic, right. It’s best cleaned off the brush in white spirit. Just don’t want you wrecking a good brush by trying to wash it in water ;)
…..there’s the aggravation of enamels and thinners etc and, not being a perfectionist, I’m looking for a simpler route. So my current thinking is:
Light grey over the black undercoat; highlight in white; dry brush with silver. It could be a disaster :D
;)
Doug
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Hello Doug ,
Could I suggest Ammo of Mig silver or polished metal? It’s acrylic with very fine pigment (not really it’s mica),and it’s fine enough to spray through an airbrush (I know you’re not doing this,just emphasising :) ).
Cheero
Guy
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Hello Doug ,
Could I suggest Ammo of Mig silver or polished metal? It’s acrylic with very fine pigment (not really it’s mica),and it’s fine enough to spray through an airbrush (I know you’re not doing this,just emphasising :) ).
Cheero
Guy
Guy - what make are they?
Doug
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You might want to try this: wax-based, buffable, very realistic
(https://ak-interactive.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/AK457N.jpg)
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Just found this blog post about using silvers & chromesd, it might help (I've not read it, just looked at the pictues :D)
https://www.clairesmodels.com/blog/2019/6/1/selection-of-new-tamiya-lacquer-lp-metallics-and-other-chromes-tested (https://www.clairesmodels.com/blog/2019/6/1/selection-of-new-tamiya-lacquer-lp-metallics-and-other-chromes-tested)
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Doug,
The company is Ammo of Mig (Jimenez). :)
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More good ideas - I’m getting spoiled for choice :)
Doug,
The company is Ammo of Mig (Jimenez). :)
Ahhh - the clue was in the name. :D I should pay more attention.
Thanks, Guy…..
Doug
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Haha, I do the same old boy. I’d send you a bottle (I have a few), however from Australia to England maybe stretching it :)
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Haha, I do the same old boy. I’d send you a bottle (I have a few), however from Australia to England maybe stretching it :)
My knee-jerk reaction to the thought of a bottle was, regrettably, "damn, missed out on a bottle of whisky". Then I realised you meant paint so my disappointment was tempered. :D :D :D
Doug
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I use Molotow Liquid Chrome Markers. Couple of quid off of Amazon. Oooze the ink out onto the palette and paint with it. For big areas, just colour it in with the pen.
It's not 'silver paint', it's basically mirror in a tube. I just can't convey how amazing it looks in mere words. I painted the fuel tanks on some GZG spacecraft in it and they look like chromed ball-bearings.
Photographing it is actually difficult because the camera flash, the camera and you are all reflected in the miniature...
It's wildly dependent on the surface texture. Some filler undercoat is necessary on some miniatures.
It's just glorious as edge on raised swords and bayonets. The hardest part is not overusing it.
(Don't get the gold, it's crap. Put yellow contrast over the silver.)
Credit goes to Adam Savage who mentioned using them for metal effects in one of his Youtube videos.