Painting a good silver

[Robosmith]

I'm struggling to get a decent silver I'm happy with for rank and file troops. The classic chainmail, black wash then highlight with mithril silver (God I'm old..) just isn't cutting it for me. I don't know what I'm looking for but it's one of the holes in my years of painting experience. I never got a good silver down and would like for some suggestions to fix that. I'm not into glazing or applying 15 layers to build up slowly, they're table top minis for playing, not competitive painting I'm looking to build upon.

[Gibby]

Vallejo Model Air metallic paints are hands down the best ones I've ever used. They go on so smoothly, even without watering them down (I imagine they're pre-thinned for airbrushing, but I use a regular paintbrush).

Chainmail is excellent:

https://acrylicosvallejo.com/en/product/hobby/game-air-en/chain-mail-silver-72753/ 

Steel is a tad brighter:

https://acrylicosvallejo.com/en/product/model-air-en/steel-71065/

Available on most hobby websites. I think you'll be very happy with them!

[Robosmith]

Vallejo Model Air metallic paints are hands down the best ones I've ever used. They go on so smoothly, even without watering them down (I imagine they're pre-thinned for airbrushing, but I use a regular paintbrush).

Chainmail is excellent:

https://acrylicosvallejo.com/en/product/hobby/game-air-en/chain-mail-silver-72753/ 

Steel is a tad brighter:

https://acrylicosvallejo.com/en/product/model-air-en/steel-71065/

Available on most hobby websites. I think you'll be very happy with them!

I already use vallejo for my metallics. I usually add a drop of glaze medium to them since it helps them go on a bit smoother. Mostly because of drying time being longer so it evens out a little more and doesn't dry super fast on the palette.

I'm looking for what to do with the silver to give it depth that isn't just 1 wash and done.

[FifteensAway]

Well, might try a base of Gunmetal (I use craft paints) and then a dry brush of a 'darker' Silver, an even lighter dry brush of 'bright' Silver.   

But if this is for game table standard, perhaps overthinking it.  Guessing though that you are using larger figures than I do, 15 mm for me so just the gunmetal and then a wash of silver covers it for me. 

Seems to do more than I suggested above is more effort than needed even for larger figures. 

Once painted and engaged on the table, paint jobs fade and action prevails in my experience.

[6milPhil]

I use this, it's brilliant and lasts forever... https://culturehustle.com/products/the-worlds-silveriest-silver-metallic-acrylic-paint-by-stuart-semple-30ml

[Daeothar]

Depending on the finish you're after, try putting the silver over a dark colour instead of the standard black.

If you want a bright, polished look, try painting Boltgun Metal over a dark blue. Then highlight up through Chainmail up to Mithril Silver. Use a wash of black and blue to pick out the recesses.

If you want a more used/aged look. Do the same, but replace the blue with brown.