Hi all,
I'm trying to see if there is any way to make the unfinished Aluminum you find on many unpainted hilts to look darker while still looking clean. Almost like a steel look. I've seen suggestions on using Aluminum Black or other dark paint, and while it gives it a weathered look with personality and the type of definition and "lived in" look you want when weathering, it still looks like weathered aluminum. The lighter tone of the aluminum still comes through (though open to tips if there are ways to achieve what I want with this method).
In a way, I'm essentially looking for how to just make the shade of metal darker all around. Not a perfect example but just for a visual on the shade changes I'm thinking of, the image below kind of gives an idea of what shade I'm trying to get. From the "brighter" gray on the clamp to a darker shade seen on the emitter while still looking "clean".
Does anyone know of any techniques I can use? Are there any oils or processes that can make aluminum look like this?
I'm trying to see if there is any way to make the unfinished Aluminum you find on many unpainted hilts to look darker while still looking clean. Almost like a steel look. I've seen suggestions on using Aluminum Black or other dark paint, and while it gives it a weathered look with personality and the type of definition and "lived in" look you want when weathering, it still looks like weathered aluminum. The lighter tone of the aluminum still comes through (though open to tips if there are ways to achieve what I want with this method).
In a way, I'm essentially looking for how to just make the shade of metal darker all around. Not a perfect example but just for a visual on the shade changes I'm thinking of, the image below kind of gives an idea of what shade I'm trying to get. From the "brighter" gray on the clamp to a darker shade seen on the emitter while still looking "clean".
Does anyone know of any techniques I can use? Are there any oils or processes that can make aluminum look like this?