Katana blade painting HALP!!!!

[Noriaki]

Hey guys, so I'm new in the wonderful world of cosplay and props, and I'm making a katana made of wood for a cosplay of Cassandra Cain (Orphan). I've already made the katana, I just have to paint it... buuuuuuut I want it to look (the blade) real, at least as much as I can. Someone knows how can I paint the blade? because I've searched and all I can find is a "metallic" gray that looks fake, and not shiny

I would be very grateful if you can help me.

Some pictures:

My half-made katana:




How I want it to look like (I know it's impossible to make it look exactly as this):




Aaaaand the painting I've found (sorry if these belongs to someone who's reading this. I'm not saying it's ugly)

 

[JaggedNZ]

Forget painting it metallic and hunt in your local dollar store (or if you are desperate hardware store) for some Aluminium tape.
It's really tough to apply without wrinkles on a curved surface, but you get an least 5m on a roll so I'd suggest practicing first.

For an antique look, paint with black acrylic paint then rub it off with steel wool or even a rag. Made a short Orcist style sword out of MDF on my router and it looks awesome in photos.
Careful overpainting with black acrylic using a calligraphy brush and you might even pull off the grooves shown in the photo.

See http://www.tested.com/art/makers/460153-one-day-builds-customizing-adams-hero-sword/ at about 19:20

 

[Rogviler]

You could totally make it look like the reference photo you posted, but you'll be in for some work to do it with paint. It'll need to be 100% glass smooth and then you'll have to follow the correct procedure for whichever paint system you choose. But look into some of the different chrome/metallic finishes like Alclad, Spaz Stix, and especially the new Molotow that everyone's suddenly crazy about.

Personally I always think the aluminum tape looks like aluminum tape, but it's good from a distance and especially for "con safe" stuff. It probably wouldn't look too bad on a katana since you at least won't have the telltale seams.

Just depends on how easy you want it to be and how perfect you want it to look.

-Rog

 

[d_jedi1]

Look for something like this, granted.. the specific one in the link here is pricey and the shipping is outrageous but this will give you the basic idea and a chrome finish.
https://www.uline.com/Product/Detai...IvwUzXAuuZBFDN8BzMmvMaAm468P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

edit: I picked up a 3/4"wide roll at wal-mart for 50 cents so that might not be a bad place to start.

 

[Noriaki]

Rogviler: But I do not know any painting technique, and I don't know how can I get the 100% glass smooth. Sorry, I'm a rookie in all of this :/

 

[Rogviler]

I don't mean to make it sound complicated, I only mean that different "chrome" paints have different requirements. For instance, with Alclad you usually wet sand with fine sandpaper until the surface is completely smooth, then you need a coat gloss black and then the Alclad goes over that. Some brands are less intensive than others. If you want easy I would check out the discussion on Molotow:

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=272691

I wouldn't fault you for going the foil tape route, just be realistic in your expectations of what it will look like. Check out lots of pictures of what others have done first.

-Rog

 

[penabled]

Personally I would go with the Al tape, and definitely watch the Tested video in the link. You could even achieve the hamon line by using some polishing compound on the tape to get the edge more mirror like. The Al tape is also conveniently sized in widths that should be more than enough to cover one side of your blade, of course the curve may present a problem. Just remember that Al tape will trigger metal detectors.

 

[division 6]

You could also do what many modelers do for a metal finish on their planes, Aluminum Foil.
Plenty of videos on line about it.

 

[Collektor]

Check out this video. Adam Savage walks you through the process of both applying the tape and weathering it

https://youtu.be/gcDCZ2TmTck

 

[Rogviler]

It really doesn't sound like he wants it all gnarly and weathered like a campfire potato. The pic he showed was of a highly polished blade. I just don't get the aluminum tape thing.

If you want it looking polished, a chrome effect paint is about it unless you want to get it vacuum metalized, but you'll have to send it out for that.

-Rog

 

[Collektor]

The aluminum tape is a viable option if you can't shoot chrome effect paint. As to the weathering, I agree he likely doesn't want it toasted and roasted, the video does give a good idea of how to apply the tape.

 

[Rogviler]

The Molotow looks as easy to apply as Sharpie... But what would help, @Noriaki is if you said at least what country you're in. Availability of products varies greatly across the world.

-Rog