Resin help

I'm attempting to create a set of pins using a 2 part resin kit
I picked up a few weeks ago from my lhs and haven't had much luck achieving the look I want with it.

I'm attempting to have the pins have a high-gloss shine to them and look like polished brass. However, the only result I've been able to get are very dull, abrasive finishes.

I start with a master made from sheet styrene and carved into the shape I want for the pins. I then use a 2 part rubber mold epoxy and apply that to make the mold from the master. After that, after pouring my resin and letting it set, I get a copy of my design, but it has a rough surface, even after using the dremel with a variety of abrasive bits.

I've been using the model master metalizer brass color with several coats of gloss lacquer overcoat spray, but I've had very little luck. I've also tried several coats of the gloss coat by it's self to little effect.

I'm running out of ideas- I was thinking next I should try mixing paint in with the resin, but wasn't sure how that would affect the process..

Can anyone help me or have any useful tips or ideas on what to do?

Are you attempting to get a metallic finish and sheen on the pin? If so your best bet will be cold casting with metal powders.

Clicky Linky

The above is a page from alumilites website showing it off. Also you can search for brickintheyard on youtube and see some video showing how.

best brass effect i could find in paint was "plastikote's brass", i tried mixing pigment into the resin without much luck as i found so much pigment was needed. plasticote paint after primer was my end result

I've had good results using Alclad Metal finishes. The resin needs to be ultra smooth, then Alclad's gloss black undercoat ( which normally reveals that you need to smooth everything again). Smooth/ polish with Micromesh, then spray the metal finish... a few light coats to build up depth.

The finish withstands light handling, but best to protect with a varnish if handling is likely.

Car modellers tell me that some two part epoxy varnishes get that high gloss finish, but I've not tried them.

alumite.com they carry some awesome pigments you can add to your resin. rubb and buss is another option.

Your master part thats to be molded should be as smooth and shiny as possible as thats the same surface the finished pull will be. If your going with Alclad 2 paint, the material your using for the part should be as gloss black as possible. This will allow you to skip the added step of painting the part gloss black. This would be the best way to go if you already own an airbrush.

If your going to use powders, the finer the mesh the better the end result. I use a 4000 mesh powder and polish it into the mold for shiny metal parts. When the part is pulled, I buff it by hand, clean and clear coat while the part is warm. By doing so with the part warm, the clear coat settles flush like so: