3PO using Alclad chrome to gold

[TonyRB]

I'm trying to get a gold plated look to a resin 3PO I have, first I sanded it down, then I airbrushed a 50-50 mix of Humbrol gloss black, see photo below.

I'm pleased with how it turned out as you require a black mirror finish when using Alclad chrome:thumbsup. So after the black had dried I airbrused on a coat of Alclad chrome.
I took a photo of the 3PO or now TC-14 in daylight, Alclad chrome is amazing, it looks like it has been vacuum formed metalized not airbrushed with paint . I have the Tamiya Clear coat and the alclad transparent yellow, so next step is a light dusting of Tamiya X-22clear coat wait 30 minutes then a wet coat of clear, allow to dry fully, then a dusting of the Alclad yellow laquer, I'll do a test and if it works, I'll let you know.

Thanks for looking

Tony

 

[CSMacLaren]

Got any more photos? It's a bit dark and difficult to make out the surface color, but otherwise it looks promising!

 

[thor2015]

I think the problem lies with the different colors surrounding the head (i.e. the sky, the green tarp, etc. etc.) If this had been shot indoors in a light box it may be a bit easier to see the actual silver of the chrome. However, the surface prep looks great and the paint jobs are very smooth as well so it shouldn't be difficult to get that final look just right. Looking good so far. Best of luck to you!

 

[DivineHeresy]

Looking great!
Would love to see some more pictures as well.

 

[Howard]

Superb work Tony.
I'm looking forward to a few more pics too!

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Don't use the Tamiya clear coat, it will dull the chrome look down to a grey. Had a tip on another forum about using future floor polish instead as it kept the chrome look.

 

[TallDarkandDisfigured]

I tried quite a few different clears and never found one that didn't ruin the chrome finish of the Alcad paint.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

I tried quite a few different clears and never found one that didn't ruin the chrome finish of the Alcad paint.

Did you try future floor polish?

 

[Nairod]

All clear coat will destroy the chrome effect!

Another brand, Spazstix, makes mirror chrome paint (in can and for airbrush, exactly like alclad2).
They created a clear coat for their mirror chrome paint (which is a little better than the alclad IMO) and I tried it! Total bullsh.t, it ruins the chrome paint.

Make a try with the transparent yellow from alclad but I'm affraid that you'll get what I got....a copper finish (without the mirror effect) since this yellow transparent is more dark orange than yellow.

Sapz stix created a new product, the mirror chrome gold but I never found it on internet and I'm not sure that you'll find it in Europe. And the problem is still the same: how to protect it?

The only paint that you can apply over alclad mirror chrome is a waterbased paint, which will not affect the finish. I tried the transparent yellow from Pebeo, but I didn't have a good chrome gold effect. I made a mix with orange transparent, it was a little bit better.
The main problem is that these paint (for glass) are really thick, thus you can't apply them with an airbrush.

Make your try on a piece of plastic if you don't want to ruin your C 3PO head (which is already great!!!)

Good luck!

 

[Star Wars Helmets]

Looking great Tony

I used a different brand of chrome spray finish on my 3po chest (not the head which was VM'd) - then I mixed in some gold to give the right hue (following your advice mate)

However I think your Alclad has a better effect - post more pics!

Cheers

Jez

 

[CustomCreations]

Always wanted to try this stuff-
Did you import it?
If so, how did it go ?

BTW, thats a great finish on the enamel, Gloss Black is a ***** ;-)

 

[Tetmatek]

when using Alsa chrome and alsa Trugold, I applied the Tru gold after rinsing the chrome with water and rub it lightly with a polish cloth then blow it dry. Then I sprayed the gold and it turns out great. Applying the gold candy before clearing will give you the gold finish. If you clear the Chrome first it will turn grey (at least it did for me)

 

[tango'd fett]

Looks great Tony , a few others have said about the clear coat and i have always had tha same problem too with it dulling the chrome look, not with this procuct though. Might be wise to test it on something else first as would hate to see that great finish dulled :cry
Perhaps just try the yellow only mate ?

 

[artbypaul]

Looks really good!! I would like to see it brighter light.

 

[TMP]

Yep! dont use clearcoat on chrome or Coldcast. It will make it dull.. Looking good!!:thumbsup

 

[JW01]

Looks great! Any updates? Is the clear coat necessary after the alclad chrome?

 

[Dexvader]

Yes, please post more pics. I have a 3PO ready for paint. Any tips would be great

 

[tango'd fett]

Tony doesnt get on here much :rolleyes
He did try the clearcoat and it dulled it as expected :sick so he is still trying alternatives , He was going to try and mix some yellow with the chrome alclad last i heard from him . Alternatives are killer chrome and apparently it can be overspayed with thier candy gold and then their topcoat, not tried it yet as it is a bit pricey, but all that i have heard is good on this stuff.

 

[GKvfx]

One of the reasons Alclad's paints are favored over Testor's Metalizer line is that the Alclad stuff is tougher and can handle..... well, getting handled. I really like the finishes I got on planes and other small scale models with Testor's stuff, but with a prop, I need a tougher finish. Any topcoating degrades the finish of a Metalizer paint - Alclad or Testors.

Gene