Looking for polished steel finish

[majorsmith]

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!

[Doug ex-em4]

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

[DS615]

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.

[2010sunburst]

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 

[Doug ex-em4]

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

 

Doug

[Blackwolf]

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

[Doug ex-em4]

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

[Vanth]

You might want to try this: wax-based, buffable, very realistic

[aircav]

Just found this blog post about using silvers & chromesd, it might help (I've not read it, just looked at the pictues  )

https://www.clairesmodels.com/blog/2019/6/1/selection-of-new-tamiya-lacquer-lp-metallics-and-other-chromes-tested

[Blackwolf]

Doug,
The company is Ammo of Mig (Jimenez).

[Doug ex-em4]

More good ideas - I’m getting spoiled for choice

Doug,
The company is Ammo of Mig (Jimenez).

Ahhh - the clue was in the name. I should pay more attention.

Thanks, Guy…..

Doug

[Blackwolf]

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

[Doug ex-em4]

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.

Doug

[katie]

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.