In scale metallic paint?

[beeRS]

I suspect that this question must have been asked before, but I cannot see it in the search.

My question is about achieving a metallic paint finish that is in scale. I have never been totally happy with any metallic paint job I've done. The metal flakes in an automotive paint (by that I mean paint for a 1:1 car) are far too big. Take a look at these pics...

Admittedly, the 'glitter' effect looks worse on camera than it does in the flesh but the paint job does look like a custom metal-flake job, rather than a factory metallic.

I have only ever used automotive paints for car bodies, but I wonder if anyone knows of any brands or types of paint that will give a finish that is more in keeping with a 1/24 or 1/25 model?

[Mike Kucaba]

Not trying to be a wise guy, but as long as you use metallic paints mixed for 1:1 cars, you will get a flake size for 1:1.

Even some paints for models have flake too large.

[Blown03SVT]

I would imagine you paints from MCW or Scale Finishes would mitigate the problem, as they are designed specifically for models. I know a lot of the Testors paints come off with the same type "boat flake" look you are trying to avoid.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Some of the Duplicolor aerosol 'pearls' have a smaller flake, which tends to be less bass-boat looking. Some nail polishes also have finely-ground metallics (I was in a Sally beauty supply store this AM and was blown away by the color selection...too cool). The Testors basecoat-clearcoat metallics mixed to simulate actual 1:1 colors also have much finer flake that the Testors "One Coat" metallic line, which looks rather like your photographs.

[Harry P.]

...I was in a Sally beauty supply store this AM...

I won't ask why...

[High octane]

I suspect that this question must have been asked before, but I cannot see it in the search.

My question is about achieving a metallic paint finish that is in scale. I have never been totally happy with any metallic paint job I've done. The metal flakes in an automotive paint (by that I mean paint for a 1:1 car) are far too big. Take a look at these pics...

Admittedly, the 'glitter' effect looks worse on camera than it does in the flesh but the paint job does look like a custom metal-flake job, rather than a factory metallic.

I have only ever used automotive paints for car bodies, but I wonder if anyone knows of any brands or types of paint that will give a finish that is more in keeping with a 1/24 or 1/25 model?

Those are "metalflake paints" that you are referring to and are quite different from metallic paints.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I won't ask why...

Specifically to look at nail polish colors for car models, but I'm so insecure about my masculinity and so fearful someone might think I was buying the stuff to put on my own fingers while in drag that I hired a really gorgeous hooker to hang all over me while I was in there, just to make sure nobody got the wrong idea. Okay?

[crazyjim]

What about HOK's fine metallics? I haven't tried them but it's a possibility.

[PappyD340]

You go Bill!

[beeRS]

Thanks for all the ideas guys. I will give MCW and Scale finish paints a try (if they'll ship to me in the UK).

The nail polish idea sounds good too. Does anyone know what type of thinners you would use with nail polish? I have always thought they were enamels, but I've never been too keen on enamels for car bodies as the enamels I have used in the past seem to loose their gloss after a year or two on the shelf (I've mainly used Humbrol branded model paints). Do all enamels fade over time - or have I just been unlucky?

[cruz]

I used Testor's Lacquer Fiery Orange for this jeep but I toned down the metallics by using dull coat on the paint before adding the clear. It works pretty good!

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[Blown03SVT]

Dull before clear to mute the flake? I just learned something new, Thanks Marco's!

[sjordan2]

Dull before clear to mute the flake? I just learned something new, Thanks Marco's!

Ditto. And I agree with Bill that paints designated as Pearl are far more in scale than normal metallics.

[Monty]

I used Testor's Lacquer Fiery Orange for this jeep but I toned down the metallics by using dull coat on the paint before adding the clear. It works pretty good!

Pat yourself on the back, Marcos. You just taught a middle-aged dog a new trick. I've been avoiding most of Testors' One Coat line because of the ridiculous flake size, but it looks like you've created a way around that.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I used Testor's Lacquer Fiery Orange for this jeep but I toned down the metallics by using dull coat on the paint before adding the clear. It works pretty good!

Yes, I'm going to have to try that too. I've got several cans of the stuff and no upcoming bass-boat or dune-buggy projects.

[Guest]

Tamiya's metallic paints have the closest to scale metallic in them I've seen yet followed closely by Model Masters.

[PappyD340]

(FYI) I bought some Dupli color Metal specks paint for a project I'm working on, color was pretty close to what I wanted, but don't be fooled by the can top, when I painted the body it came out looking like a freakin bass boat, had to strip and start over!

[Kit Basher]

Don't know if these are available "across the pond", but the little square bottles of Testors paint look pretty good to me. The colors are very limited. They are enamels, but when mixed with lacquer thinner they airbrush very nicely.