Shiny gold for a golden snitch

[Bengrim09]

I really need some advise on some shiny gold paint for my golden snitches,

I have makes of fantastic shiny gold rattle can paint but the problem I’m having is when you touch them, over a small period of time the paint dulls, if I cover them with a clear lacquer it ruins the gold shine.
I’ve tried all 3 gold types and 2 types of clear coat, they all end up dull.

Im keeping in mind that these are being made for a child’s birthday party and I need them to be safe

I really need tried and tested ideas as I don’t want to be shopping around for different ideas that might not work

these are the paints and lacquers I’ve tried that are available in the U.K. shops

this is the result after 1 coat of gold

This is the result after they’ve dried and a layer of lacquer

Please if possible only tried and tested recommendations for U.K. products or Amazon U.K. only as these need to be finished in a week and I’ve 20 to do
Thanks in advance

 

[Analyzer]

An electro plating kit might be a better long term option than paint, but you have a short time frame to get all the components

 

[PoopaPapaPalps]

Honestly, if it's for a kid's birthday party, I doubt they'd care if it stays shiny gold longer than it needs to. I'd just stick to the gold paint minus the lacquer.

If you want it to stay shiny, so chrome, you'll need to dip your toes into heavier applications with more heavy duty paints and clears.

 

[ID10T]

Go old school and apply some gold leaf. You can clear that if you want to.

 

[ScoobiJohn]

was gonna suggest gold leaf too - had good results on my golden snitches with it and some gloss clear coat didn't affect the metallic shine either

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Gordon Tarpley has some videos up on how he painted his C-3PO costumes on youtube. You could check them out.

For a kid's birthday party do not use gold leaf. It would be a waste. And you have to lacquer it - you don't want paint rubbing off on their fingers. Also, when using clear lacquer, try misting it on first, as the dulling is caused by the gold paint being reactivated by the lacquer - misting it on may prevent that reaction. Otherwise, it seems the Alclad clear coat is the best option to coat shiny metallic colors.

 

[wayouteast]

Otherwise, it seems the Alclad clear coat is the best option to coat shiny metallic colors.

Watch out for the drying time with the Alclad klear kote, though. I've had it sometimes take weeks to fully cure.