Chroming Help

Supa troop

Supa troop

Sr Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
Guys,
im about to tackle the hard task of creating a set of Eagle Judge Armour ive got all the relevant reference pictures i need and Plan to try and make the sculpt and molds for the Shoulder Blocks, Eagle feathers and Eagle.

Now im jumping well ahead of myself but i like to plan in advance so i know i can complete the project.

My main concern is the Final Finish and how to achieve it.

i have inquired about Vac Metalising but have been warned this could run into quite a hefty bill to complete the job, Vac Metalising companies in the UK a very hard to find especially one that will take on this job.

What are my alternatives guys?? ive thought of Metalic Spray but i feel this just will not give the right mirror finish associated with the Dredd Armour.

any help guys as always is greatly recieved
 
A few more ideas to throw into the open:

What material have you considered building it from?
Would sheet metal work? You could reinforce it from the back, maybe.
How about cold-casting a thin layer, then laying fiberglass on top?

Rub'n Buff ? Maybe too dull..
Silver leafing?
If there are no compound curves, then chrome tape would work, as long as the type of tape can be cut with clean edges.
 
Alclad II all the way. It's simple, affordable and because it's a lacquer, durable.

Just make sure that before you do it, that your finish is flawless. Chrome will magnify every flaw ten-fold.

-Fred
 
Once Alcad has been applied how tough is the finish, would a standard Lacqour protect the finish.
 
I don't know how well the Alcad Gold finish is. I have seen great results with the chrome though. That would need a yellow layer. If that layer is made from durable hard lacquer it would protect the armour.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(supa troop @ Mar 19 2007, 10:40 AM) [snapback]1443283[/snapback]</div>
Once Alcad has been applied how tough is the finish, would a standard Lacqour protect the finish.
[/b]
Click to expand...


You don't need to coat it with anything. In fact, coating generally dulls the finish.

Lacquer finishes are very tough. They usually won't wear, but will tarnish with handling. Just buff it with a clean cotton cloth when your done handling it to remove any skin oils.

-Fred
 
something i always wondered about was finding a place that makes xmas bobbles for trees and see if they could do things like this and at what cost. anyone ever looked into this?
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gigatron @ Mar 19 2007, 11:20 AM) [snapback]1443307[/snapback]</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(supa troop @ Mar 19 2007, 10:40 AM) [snapback]1443283[/snapback]
Click to expand...
Once Alcad has been applied how tough is the finish, would a standard Lacqour protect the finish.
[/b]
Click to expand...


You don't need to coat it with anything. In fact, coating generally dulls the finish.

Lacquer finishes are very tough. They usually won't wear, but will tarnish with handling. Just buff it with a clean cotton cloth when your done handling it to remove any skin oils.

-Fred
[/b][/quote]

Thanks for the info Fred, i missed one of your earlier replies :$.

When you mention the finish has to be flawless does this just apply to the chrome finish or to Alcad colours in general obviously im using a metallic Gold Finish for the Eagle Judge.


Sir Round mentions a yellow layer can anyone elaborate on this please
 
Hey Simon,

The finish of the sculpt has to be flawless. Every and any imperfection will become glaring once the item is chromed. Any scratch, air bubble or lump will stick out. If an area is supposed to be flat, it had better be smooth as glass, otherwise, you will know it.

Every imperfection will create a distortion that will end up giving you that weird wall-eye effect when you look at. In an area with compound curves and shapes, it's not too bad. But in an area where it's supposed to be flat and smooth, it's really going to be noticeable.

As for Alclad gold - don't. It's what they call an antique gold. It looks just like gold rubn'buff, not a high polish gold, like the chrome.

What SiR Round was referring to (presumably) is a product by a company called Alsa Corp (www.alsacorp.com). It is either killer chrome or mirra chrome. You spray down a layer of chrome and then you spray a translucent top coat to change the color (yellow for gold, blue, red, green, etc.).

I don't think I've ever seen an actual decent representation of what the color chrome can look like. Only little crappy pictures that probably don't do it justice.

Though I guess, theoretically, you could do the same with alclad. After the alclad chrome has cured (24hrs), you could spray it with a translucent paint (maybe tamiya acrylic yellow or an enamel equivalent). I really need to try this out one day as I am always looking for a decent gold color.

Best gold color I ever got was from Krylon Brass, but it never hurts to experiment with different methods.

-Fred
 
Thanks for the in-depth reply Fred, i really apprecaite that. :thumbsup

Hmmmmmm me thinks this will be tough to pull off :eek
 
Actually, I have done a few tests with mixing Tamiya clear acrylics to create a gold "candy" coat and it works pretty well, especially over raw metal (even though it will not adhere strongly). Of course, if you're doing it over Alclad of something it will still dull the finish somewhat.




<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gigatron @ Mar 19 2007, 07:09 PM) [snapback]1443380[/snapback]</div>
Though I guess, theoretically, you could do the same with alclad. After the alclad chrome has cured (24hrs), you could spray it with a translucent paint (maybe tamiya acrylic yellow or an enamel equivalent). I really need to try this out one day as I am always looking for a decent gold color.

Best gold color I ever got was from Krylon Brass, but it never hurts to experiment with different methods.

-Fred
[/b]
Click to expand...
 
I always wondered how come I can buy 99 cent cars for my boy that are totally chromed?

Those Chinese can do it for bottom prices. Big lots ofcourse and close to slavery employees...
 
Another reason is that chroming (and related processes I would imagine) is VERY toxic to the environment. Here in Sweden, finding a place that does chrome is not easy because of the restrictions/regulations and if you want something large (like a wheel rim) done- forget it. I called around about getting some wheels done last year and didn't have any luck.
 
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