Author Topic: Metal as metal? (Read 2970 times)

FramFramson · « **on:** January 11, 2012, 07:53:06 PM »

So, does anyone use unprimed metal as, well... metal?

I'm frankly terrible at painting metallics (be it NMM or regular metals), other than the very basic old dodge of "texture + black undercoat + boltgun metal drybrush (with maybe some rust)". Works fine for old machinery or orc gear, but not really for anything else.

Lately I've been painting figures and leaving the metal naked. Not that I don't do anything at all. I will add touches of washes to add depth and shadow, and before I wash it, I use my wirebrush and dremel to burnish the metal to a bright shine (though I have to be careful - too much pressure can soften delicate textures).

I'm really loving this techniques, but was wondering if anyone else ever does the same? I know with older figures this might be an invitation to long-term rot, but with modern white metal minis, I think it's fine.

Here's a sample figure I used the technique on (there's a very thin wash of fine gold on the sword hilt, that's probably not visible in the picture):

white knight · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2012, 08:01:24 PM »

Looks good. I once read an article in an old mag where the same technique was used on a larger scale napoleonic cuirassier musician, to great effect.

Patrice · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2012, 08:12:01 PM »

Interesting. I would not do that, but... it seems to work well

Froggy the Great · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2012, 08:16:48 PM »

Aah, Non Non-Metallic Metals, or NNMM, which reduces to "M".

Bare metal, ink, and steel wool. I love it.

OSHIROmodels · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2012, 08:24:31 PM »

It certainly looks good, but doesn't the bare metal tarnish over time?

cheers

James

Patrice · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2012, 08:48:13 PM »

Quote from: jimbibbly on January 11, 2012, 08:24:31 PM

doesn't the bare metal tarnish over time?

So does true metal

Steve F · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2012, 08:49:18 PM »

Looks very effective, Fram. There was an article in Wargames Illustrated many years ago by a chap who used the bare metal for all his metalwork - if he wanted bronze, for example, he stained it with appropriate inks after polishing.

Even more years ago (late 1970s), I remember polishing up white metal robots with a suede brush, no less, to give them a metallic gleam. I shudder to contemplate it now, but they looked good to me at the time.

Glitzer · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2012, 10:45:37 PM »

I usually don't use this technique, but I've tried it on a female Hasslefree palladin once and it turned out quit nice
My approach was somehow different though. I first painted the mini black and then started polishing it with steel wool (an idea I picked up at CoolMiniorNot). Unfortunately that wont keep you from the need of having to blackline some parts but it still leaves most gaps black. I have no idea if it will keep the mini shiny over time but Ive used a Mix of glossy spay varnish and matte brush varnish to seal the mini.

PS: I uually paint MNM

Metallic Not Metallics. Drybrushing with silver works wonders on shale stones and a metallic foundation looks great for Anime or platinum blonde hair (So far I've tried Pink Silver and Gold, mostly on Reaper Elves)

The Dozing Dragon · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2012, 10:53:28 PM »

I've seen it used effectively over the years. Looks great!

sundayhero · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2012, 10:09:03 AM »

I readed an article in french miniatures painting book called "Le grand livre de la peinture sur figurines". They used to extra polish bare metal blades on a 1/54 japanese blade master, with a really good result.

The only issue I see in that technique could be weathering effects : if your blade is extremly polished, it will be very hard to make anything stick on it (varnish, washes, etc...) durably.

Mindenbrush · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2012, 03:41:44 PM »

Bugsda uses the full prime and scrape/polish off metal areas to good effect.

A friend back in the UK did the steel armour on his Medieval army by running a pin head over the bare metal to polish it - very time consuming

Paul · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2012, 07:49:08 PM »

I´ve done this..using the tip of a toothpick. basically tap the toothpick on a hard surface to blunten it and then "polish" over the surface. It does burnish after a while but still has a good "realistic" finish and is a lot less effort than washing, highlighting etc.

starkadder · « **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2012, 10:46:09 PM »

There is a jeweller's tool called a burnisher (from memory).
Dentists have an equivalent tool for smoothing amalgam.

It's simply a small ball of metal on a handle and is used for precisely what Paul and Mindenbrush's friend were doing.

I have several from an old dentistry and have used them for the purposes several times. They're a lot more comfortable to use than toothpicks and pins! And they never wear out.

Fascinated by Glitzer's steel wool approach. I can't see how that wouldn't scratch and pit the surface. I'll have to give it a go. A chamois cloth would work as well, I would have thought.

Paul · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2012, 12:21:17 PM »

Another one...I remeber a freind who used a pencil eraser..the tiny ones like on the end of propelling pencils. I´ve tried it myself but it didn´t quite give the effect i wanted.
I like the sound of the burnishing tool..but where to get one? I could "borrow" one the next time I´m at the dentist but it´s difficult when your sitting in the chair

sundayhero · « **Reply #14 on:** January 14, 2012, 04:57:12 PM »

You can also (probably) use car polish, or toothpaste. They are very fine abrasives. Perfect for smooth polishing.

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Author Topic: Metal as metal? (Read 2970 times)

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