Aluminum paint for mag wheels

[Steamboat]

Can anyone recommend a good paint for aluminum mag wheels?

I have some 3d printed (SLA) wheels.  I've tried Testors Aluminum Metallizer and it won't stick to the bare material, and when I use primer the metallizer looks too dull.  I've tried airbrushed Molotow and it looks great, but too much like chrome.  I've tried Alclad chrome and it looks too dark.

Is there any other alternative I could try?

[Modelbuilder Mark]

I would stick with the Testors Metallizer, but his the wheels with a gloss black coat first. Otherwise, you might try to find some of this 

[Bugatti Fan]

Bill, 3D printed items are made from a different plastic to what most of us are used to, so it will be interesting to see what works for you eventually. There are a number of different metal like finishing products like Alclad, AK  and S&J aluminium polishing powders, but a lot of experimentation could get a bit expensive!

Dare I say it, but it may well be worth having a look at other websites for the aircraft modelling fraternity who have been simulating polished aluminium panels on their models.

I recently finished a scratch built Napier Railton with a polished aluminium body. Mine was made from polystyrene plastic card. I used white matt automotive acrylic primer, followed by a raffle can chrome finish. This was sealed with clear. When dry I went over it with CI metallising powder and buffing it up, then followed on with S&J aluminium legalizing powder and buffing it up also.

There are some photos of the Napier in a thread ' Can we see some scratch built things?'

 

Edited July 9, 2021 by Bugatti Fan

[vintagerpm]

Some of the metallizer paints on the market need a gloss black undercoat. Alclad is one.
Some need to be buffed after the paint is dry. The Model Master ones I've used are like that.

 

[Plowboy]

Several years ago, I bought a can of Plasti Kote Aluminum paint. It works great for the aluminum look. But, it's no longer available. That said, I'm 99% sure that Dupli Color makes an aluminum paint also. I know they make a chrome paint. 

This is what the Plasti Kote Aluminum looks like on a bumper.

 

[Casey]

 

 

 

[Steamboat]

57 minutes ago, Plowboy said:

Several years ago, I bought a can of Plasti Kote Aluminum paint. It works great for the aluminum look. But, it's no longer available. That said, I'm 99% sure that Dupli Color makes an aluminum paint also. I know they make a chrome paint. 

This is what the Plasti Kote Aluminum looks like on a bumper.

 

The finish on that bumper is exactly what I'm looking for. 

I'll try the Duplicolor on a spoon and see what it looks like.  I've also got a couple of other rattle cans like Rustoleum lying around. 

Thanks for the help everyone! I'll send some pictures when I get it sorted out. 

[Snake45]

I've been having some luck with Folk Art acrylic "high hide matte finish" Brushed Pale Silver. 

How I miss the old Pactra little bottle Flat Aluminum. This is about as close as I've come. 

[peteski]

I suspect that Bill is looking for the look of smooth polished aluminum, not a cast-aluminum flat finish.  He is probably looking for a semigloss finish.

Flat aluminum paint is good for simulating brushed aluminum finish.

Edited July 9, 2021 by peteski

[Dave G.]

You can polish the flat aluminum craft paints with Formula ! scratch out and bring them up to a luster finish just fwiw. Both FolkArt and Craft Smart have some pretty nice silvers to choose from between the brands.

[Rosemary]

You also might need a special primer for different plastics. I had a 3D 1/24 wheelchair done (turned out to be in Nylon) so I had to get a special primer for it. 

[Fantom]

I sprayed Alclad chrome over a gloss white base on this engine, looks like polished aluminum to me. 

[Steamboat]

3 hours ago, Fantom said:

I sprayed Alclad chrome over a gloss white base on this engine, looks like polished aluminum to me. 

 

That looks really good to me! I've got some 3d printed 12-spokes and some Alclad. I'll give it a try. 

[TransAmMike]

I use Krylon Premium Chrome if you want  polished aluminum look. One can will last a loooooong time. Get mine at HL.