What's the best Metallic Paint out there?

[TFrosst]

I've seen bits and pieces of info here and there but I could't find a thread that had any details/comparisons. What's the best out of the spray can metallic finish out there? I've seen the pics for the plasti-kote brilliant metallic and that looks amazing. Is there anything in North america that would produce a finish like that? Are there any other options for producing a really nice a shiny surface apart from paint, like the polishing powders i've read a bit about?

 

[TFrosst]

C'mon, I know there has to be a few people out there that have opinions and examples.

 

[Jeeves]

Originally posted by TFrosst@Mar 1 2006, 06:51 PM
C'mon, I know there has to be a few people out there that have opinions and examples.

[snapback]1196531[/snapback]​

Well I haven't tried rattlecan paint in a while in metallic - I always had trouble with them dulling up with handling. It's possible that they hadn't (or wouldn't) fully cure with the particular application I was using.

For airbrush, the common standard is Alclad - I find their metal finishes to be pretty darned good, although I hear that the new formulation isn't as nice.

For a metal touch, I've seen a number of guys on the boards use rub-n-buf to good effect.

Finally, and this is of no help at the moment, but I know a guy who has a professional paint shop who says he's got a multi-step paint that gives solid 98% chrome-like effects. I'm waiting to get back in touch with him to get more information.

-RAJ

 

[darthgoat]

If Alclad is not an option for you try Rust-Oleum's High Performance metal enamels. They are good stuff.

 

[Eaglewood]

AMT


Tim,
Visit my site--maybe what you are looking for.

Appliedmetal

Originally posted by TFrosst@Mar 1 2006, 03:06 AM
I've seen bits and pieces of info here and there but I could't find a thread that had any details/comparisons.  What's the best out of the spray can metallic finish out there?  I've seen the pics for the plasti-kote brilliant metallic and that looks amazing.  Is there anything in North america that would produce a finish like that?  Are there any other options for producing a really nice a shiny surface apart from paint, like the polishing powders i've read a bit about?

[snapback]1196213[/snapback]​

 

[TFrosst]

Clay, about the AMT I have a couple questions. If I have something with small details on it, is the coating that's applied too thick and would it fill in the details? Would you treat this like ordinary metal and be able to polish it up really shiny? Does the AMT come in Gold?

-Tom

 

[propsculptor]

Alclad is what I've used and after it dries, you can polish it and handle it
without it dulling on you.

It's great stuff, I've used everything else it nothing else compares to it.

 

[Eaglewood]

Originally posted by TFrosst@Mar 4 2006, 03:06 AM
Clay, about the AMT I have a couple questions.  If I have something with small details on it, is the coating that's applied too thick and would it fill in the details?  Would you treat this like ordinary metal and be able to polish it up really shiny?  Does the AMT come in Gold?

-Tom

[snapback]1198505[/snapback]​

The AMT metal will pick up small details with no problem. Yes, it will polish up very nicely. I guess that depending on how small the details are is where the question lies--the coating goes on at about 10ml thick--about as thin as a couple of sheets of paper. Where the problem arises is if you want a high polish down in some of the recessed areas, that is kind of difficult to accomplish sometimes. If you are not careful and get too aggressive with the polishing, you can cut through to the base material and have to start all over--It is difficult to "patch areas" and make everything look consistent. Can be done, but difficult.

Hope this answers some of your questions.
Clay

 

[redshirt]

The AMT metal will pick up small details with no problem. Yes, it will polish up very nicely. I guess that depending on how small the details are is where the question lies--the coating goes on at about 10ml thick--about as thin as a couple of sheets of paper. Where the problem arises is if you want a high polish down in some of the recessed areas, that is kind of difficult to accomplish sometimes. If you are not careful and get too aggressive with the polishing, you can cut through to the base material and have to start all over--It is difficult to "patch areas" and make everything look consistent. Can be done, but difficult.

Hope this answers some of your questions.
Clay

Clay, I was thinking of chroming up some plastic parts on my 6 Art Asylum Original Series Trek Phasers. Can this process metalize the plastic parts without attacking the plastic. Alclad is pretty tough and pits plastic unless primered and covered well. If the AMT process works well with plastic, what is the pricing to chrome up a small number of parts?

Tom

 

[Eaglewood]

Originally posted by redshirt@Mar 4 2006, 10:07 PM

The AMT metal will pick up small details with no problem. Yes, it will polish up very nicely. I guess that depending on how small the details are is where the question lies--the coating goes on at about 10ml thick--about as thin as a couple of sheets of paper. Where the problem arises is if you want a high polish down in some of the recessed areas, that is kind of difficult to accomplish sometimes. If you are not careful and get too aggressive with the polishing, you can cut through to the base material and have to start all over--It is difficult to "patch areas" and make everything look consistent. Can be done, but difficult.

Hope this answers some of your questions.
Clay

Clay, I was thinking of chroming up some plastic parts on my 6 Art Asylum Original Series Trek Phasers. Can this process metalize the plastic parts without attacking the plastic. Alclad is pretty tough and pits plastic unless primered and covered well. If the AMT process works well with plastic, what is the pricing to chrome up a small number of parts?

Tom


Cant talk pricing here--sorry. PM me

[snapback]1198895[/snapback]​