Most Reflective Silver Paint!!

[Prop-Builder]

I just wondered if anyone can advise me on a very reflective silver paint that can be sprayed onto a model? I have several silvers already, but none come anywhere close to being as reflective as I'd like. I did a search on google but didn't find much. If the model was flat, I could had just attached a sliver paper, like on the backs of mirrors. But I was thinking of a spray paint for 3D models, such as Terminator skulls, metallic guns and stuff that require an almost mirror-like finish. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[gyoung2993]

I would like to know too........

 

[d_jedi1]

I don't personally know but I've heard for years that they are supposed to exist.
I HAVE read quite a bit about using certain powders and a black base-coat but I haven't tried that out yet either. :facepalm

 

[TK-2126_MD]

For my boba helmet u used chrome spraypaint and i got a super very shinny silver, not really chrome at all...... that help???

 

[Prop-Builder]

I saw some Chrome examples available, but unless it's in my hands, it's really hard to tell. The silver spray I have looks really shiny like a mirror on the cap (cap colour), but it's nothing like that once sprayed onto anything.

 

[Scott Graham]

If you search here on the forum, you'll find the topic comes up often. I searched for chrome paint and found these. But for some reason can't find the large thread that I was first searching for. Some of this includes gold too. Hopefully they can explain the processes used better than me, but there seem to be a couple of paints that always get mentioned:

http://www.therpf.com/f9/creations-n-chrome-m-m-metalizing-137445/

http://www.therpf.com/f24/how-approximate-chrome-paint-finish-103253/

http://www.therpf.com/f11/gloss-black-base-coat-metallic-finishes-126957/

http://www.therpf.com/f11/question-about-chroming-props-125220/

http://www.therpf.com/f12/stretch-chrome-car-wrap-think-possibillites-123843/

http://www.therpf.com/f9/chrome-plasti-kote-question-113071/

http://www.therpf.com/f9/how-get-something-chromed-need-your-experience-advice-help-106064/

http://www.therpf.com/f11/c3po-paint-looks-great-me-86273/

http://www.therpf.com/f9/3po-using-alclad-chrome-gold-79075/

http://www.therpf.com/f9/what-best-metalic-paint-2763/

http://www.therpf.com/f9/chrome-question-60793/

http://www.therpf.com/f9/plasticoat-chrome-without-black-base-coat-59517/

http://www.therpf.com/f11/new-killer-chrome-can-awsome-59246/

http://www.therpf.com/f9/anyone-ever-used-chrome-paint-42237/

http://www.therpf.com/f9/what-best-gold-chrome-rattle-can-74948/

 

[Scott Graham]

And just searched for "chrome+paint" and it brought up a few more threads:

http://www.therpf.com/f11/chrome-paint-comparisons-107933/

http://www.therpf.com/f11/new-chrome-paint-72913/

http://www.therpf.com/f9/gold-chrome-paint-50495/

http://www.therpf.com/f9/chrome-paint-47447/

 

[steveo3002]

alclad is worth a look , you paint their chrome over a perfect gloss black , looks pretty reasonble really

 

[Pro Mod]

Try these guys in Essex;
Chrome Spray
They offer as a service the Alclad system, but they also sell a product called fxChrome Spray which you spray yourself.
Both results look amazing.

Your other option may be vacuum metalising.
Try this company;
VMC Limited. Vacuum Metalising & Spray Painting Specialists

I've used them for a couple of jobs at work and they generally have a fast turn round for 1off's.

Either method will depends on what you want to coat and how much you want to spend!

Phil

 

[steveo3002]

can you give an example of what vac metalising costs?

 

[JBReplicas]

can you give an example of what vac metalising costs?

I would imagine it varys greatly depending on the size/shape/quantity of objects etc, I don't think its cheap though

 

[Gigatron]

Alclad II Chrome. Mirror finish and pretty durable.

-Fred

 

[LMFAOSchwarz]

Ah, yes...this was one of my big lessons of growing up. Nothing says "things are not always what they seem" like the cans of silver and gold spray paint at the store, with their brilliantly shimmering plastic caps teasing you with the thoughts of what could be done with them. At best, you'd end up with a shine no more brilliant than a gold or silver crayon! That's why I since refer to silver spray paint as Glorified Gray!

 

[falcondesigns]

Killer Chrome by Alsa.

 

[Tim Nolan]

The Alclad is the only thing I have found to have a true mirror-like finish when applied properly. It does take some practice, and must be airbrushed on, but it does produce some nice results. It works on the principal of a mirror, utilizing any gloss black basecoat. (Model Master works fine) I very thin topcoat of the Alclad Silver is then airbrushed on top of that, and you get some nice shiny finishes! I was amazed when I first started using it at how well it worked, and it's such a nice ultra-thin application your details arent buried in a mound of paint like with most spray can "chrome" finishes.

 

[ThrowingChicken]

I've been surprised by the powders and by Spaz Stix chrome paint, but both need to be over a high-gloss black base for best results, and the lighting conditions can change how they look, especially for the powders.

I used Spaz Stix on my endo - Terminator T-800 Endo Bust - a set on Flickr

I hear good things about Alclad, but never tried it myself.

 

[Zombie_61]

I was told by someone who professionally performs vacuum metalizing on styrene plastic here in the states that it isn't particularly durable and doesn't hold up well if the part(s) to be chromed will be handled regularly.

As for Alclad II, I've heard very good things about it but you need an airbrush; as far as I know, they don't produce it in a rattle can version yet.

A few years ago I stumbled across a website (I've long since lost the url) on which someone performed their own test to compare the difference between Alclad II, Killer Chrome, and Spaz Stix. Their determination, and mine as well based on the photos they posted, was that Spaz Stix resulted in the most chrome-like finish if applied properly.

I have no personal experience with any of these products, I'm just passing on an observation.

 

[OzDean]

Alclad 2 has been available in a spray can for ages. It says "chrome for lexan" but it works just fine on models. Just make sure the base coat is the highest gloss black you can get then just mist on the spray. I normally use Alclad in an airbrush but have used the spray can to good effect. Word of warning: it's expensive!

 

[trekriffic]

Alclad II Chrome. Mirror finish and pretty durable.

-Fred

Do you need a barrier layer (like clear gloss acrylic) if spraying over gloss black enamel or do you just need to be sure not to apply it too heavily?

 

[Tim Nolan]

Do you need a barrier layer (like clear gloss acrylic) if spraying over gloss black enamel or do you just need to be sure not to apply it too heavily?

No and don't clear coat the finished product or it will kill it!!!!! I'm amazed that the spray can version for lexan works on styrene. Most of that paint contains chemicals(Xylene,etc; ) that melt styrene. I'm not sure personally that I'd chance using it on a worthwhile project!!!