Painting Armor?

[Hogosha]

Greetings RPF!

I am in the process of making a Gene Simmons costume for my 8 year old daughter…..paying homage to the destroyer armor, including dragon boots, and axe bass. It will be an unholy combo of plastic, paper mache’, foam, felt, hot glue, Kydex, and whatever I can get to work! :lolThe problem I can see having is achieving a realistic patina, the distressed, or weathered look to the armor. I don’t want to just hit the armor with silver spray paint. I was thinking of doing a base coat of flat or satin black Fusion (to adhere to any plastic, then dry brushing on a silver (or pewter, or aluminum...) coat, then doing a rub coat of a washed out black.


I have never done this type of faux finish before, but I figure if anyone can answer the best way possible, this is the place. Please let me know what suggestions you have. Thanks!


Defectfully
Patrick

 

[defyitall]

For this finish:

I sprayed Duplicolor Gunmetal T-177 with some light wet sanding to remove the grit. The the weathering is just cheap acrylic paint washes. I mix up a wash, brush it on, and wipe it off with a cotton rag, usually in like a circular motion. Kinda leaves some streaks and stuff. The first coat of the wash never really grabs. I do a second full coat and then go in and do selective additions to crevices or corners to add more grime. Usually being kinda fast and sloppy means it looks better and more natural. And you can always remove the excess with some plain water.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[weaponx82]

When you say you wet sand to remove the grit, what grit are you referring to?

 

[defyitall]

Grit from the spray paint. A light quick wet sand just to make sure the surface is smooth.

 

[Kommissar]

yeah, when you spray paint something, you will sometimes get errant particles of paint form a kind of dusty rough surface on your prop,
making it smooth again helps improve realism for metal looks

 

[weaponx82]

Good tips.

 

[punisher]

Good tip Defy!

Also, what you mentioned " I was thinking of doing a base coat of flat or satin black Fusion (to adhere to any plastic, then dry brushing on a silver (or pewter, or aluminum...) coat, then doing a rub coat of a washed out black."

Would also work.

 

[Hogosha]

Defyitall,
Thanks for the pics and tips! The gunmetal color may be the way to go. Anyone else?

 

[ShackMan]

I don't have the link handy, but you should be able to find it in search ... Sean Bradley's work on the ODST helmet. His method for painting the helmet should work nicely for this. It will give the worn metal look to the edges without drybrushing.

Paint the armor with a light gray primer, then spray it with a satin nickel paint (not as harsh as silver or chrome). Next, use some toothpaste to mark-up the areas you'll want the nickel to show through, focusing mainly on raised edges. Once masked with toothpaste, spray the armor with whatever color you choose (gunmetal sounds good). Once dry, use a rag to wipe down the armor, which will remove the toothpaste and expose the nickel paint through the gunmetal (only in the areas you masked with toothpaste). If you'd like, you could give it a black wash after that, giving you highlights and shading.

Just an alternative.


ATM
ShackMan

 

[weaponx82]

I don't have the link handy, but you should be able to find it in search ... Sean Bradley's work on the ODST helmet. His method for painting the helmet should work nicely for this. It will give the worn metal look to the edges without drybrushing.

Paint the armor with a light gray primer, then spray it with a satin nickel paint (not as harsh as silver or chrome). Next, use some toothpaste to mark-up the areas you'll want the nickel to show through, focusing mainly on raised edges. Once masked with toothpaste, spray the armor with whatever color you choose (gunmetal sounds good). Once dry, use a rag to wipe down the armor, which will remove the toothpaste and expose the nickel paint through the gunmetal (only in the areas you masked with toothpaste). If you'd like, you could give it a black wash after that, giving you highlights and shading.

Just an alternative.


ATM
ShackMan

Toothpaste? Never would have thunk it. Another good idea!

 

[Bilious]

When I paint metal, be it for a painting or a prop I usually start with darks and then work towards the lights O: Depending on what sort of finish you want, stippling with a dry brush works best for me most of the time. :3 best of luck!

 

[Corsairgryl]

Toothpaste? Never would have thunk it. Another good idea!

Always learning something new, thanks!