Here's an update on what I completed today:
I added the rivets to the pieces. They're just normal aluminum pop rivets you can get from home depot. You drill a hole of the appropriate size and then use the tool to set the rivets.
I also made some decisions on the finish. It's really difficult to get a decent metallic finish and it was disappointing to see something which looked awesome in primer look like a cheap piece of plastic after I sprayed it with the gold and the clear. So instead I decided to make a belt with some battle damage.
1. To weather the pieces I sanded the clear coat on each one with some 400grit sandpaper. This dulled the finish and added some really small one directional scrapes. ***This is important. Sanding in one direction will help give a brushed metal look.
2. Then I did a wash of black acrylic paint. I just rubbed some on a towel and smeared it all over the pieces. making sure to get it into all the corners near the rivets.. etc
3. Then I smeared off the paint, leaving smear marks in the same direction as the sanding in step one.
4. I sanded each piece again to remove some of the paint and really bring out the look of brushed metal.
5. Then I rubbed each piece down with some mold release wax to polish them up a bit.
I think it turned out really good. some of the primer on the corners got exposed, but after all the washes and plishing it looks kind of like chips from usage. I'm still not finished with it. I'll go in and do some drybrushing and final touches later. I also still have to add the metal bars to each link, as well as finish the inner belt buckle.
This it so far: let me know what you guys think .
