Wooden sword blade made to look metallic, help

[Ashb1502]

Hi all, so recently I've gotten a wooden katana. I'd like to make the blade look like steel and trying to find the best way to do it, any help appreciated.

So my first thought was to sand it down, primer and then different spray paints of chrome and silver to give the steel look. Then coats of clear enamel gloss to seal it and protect it.

But I've also seen on YouTube, people using metallic foil tape. Sometimes this tape is then sanded and rubbed down and weathered, but katana's were generally shiny and mirror finish.

Has a time done a katana/ a sword in either method and happy to give some tips and photos.

 

[Benjo]

Faking metal is a real science.
I have seen Adam Savage using aluminium tape on a wooden sword. Still the best way to have a good result on your katana in my opinion, as it can be polished.

There's also a bunch of products like alclad laquers that give a convincing metallic shine but surface prep is the key to have a good result ! You'll need to sand down and fill your wooden blade to give it a shiny mirror finish.
Metallic laquers are generally sprayed over a glossy Black basecoat.
Same thing with paint. Surface prep is the key and you'd better use a good spray paint.
Keep in mind that clear coats can ruin your job.

 

[Ashb1502]

I had a feeling that would be the reply I'd get. My main concern with the foil tape is it having the odd wrinkle, and the best finishes I've seen people do have weathered them.
I've one metal paint finishes on models before, I have just done the Mandalorian N1 starfighter which was different shades of silver metal finish and gloss coat contrasting against worn metal and matte coats.

Decisions, decisions, decisions......

 

[TazMan2000]

As you already know, you have to seal the wood as the wood dries up over time and will reveal its grain. As I do with 3D prints, I would recommend using a photo-resin for 3D printers and putting 2-3 coats of that on the wood, curing and sanding between each coat. Once you sand to have a perfectly smooth finish, paint it gloss black/white/grey and ensure you have the smoothest and glossiest finish that you can manage. Rub graphite powder into the paint and polish.

Below is a great video to show you what you can achieve.

TazMan2000

 

[pengbuzz]

I had a feeling that would be the reply I'd get. My main concern with the foil tape is it having the odd wrinkle, and the best finishes I've seen people do have weathered them.
I've one metal paint finishes on models before, I have just done the Mandalorian N1 starfighter which was different shades of silver metal finish and gloss coat contrasting against worn metal and matte coats.

Decisions, decisions, decisions......

The thing with foil tape is that it needs burnishing to ensure the lack of wrinkles (aside from ensuring it's laid down correctly to begin with). TO give it an honest mental finished look, use a chromed metal pipe or piece of tubing to burnish it, followed by #0000 steel wool.

I used a similar process on my Robocop model:

 

[Psab keel]

Aluminum tape works really well. Highly recommended.

 

[Ashb1502]

The thing with foil tape is that it needs burnishing to ensure the lack of wrinkles (aside from ensuring it's laid down correctly to begin with). TO give it an honest mental finished look, use a chromed metal pipe or piece of tubing to burnish it, followed by #0000 steel wool.

I used a similar process on my Robocop model:

View attachment 1824551

What do you mean by burnishing it? I've seen videos where Adam savage just runs a Sharpie pen over the surface constantly to smooth it out.

 

[pengbuzz]

I found just running something plastic over it isn't the same. You need metal to burnish it down so that the foil takes on a more natural metal appearance rather than just pressed onto the surface. The steel wool adds a very fine metal "grain" to it and makes it look less "chrome" and more like real metal.

In combination, they both work very well. You can always try it on a small surface that isn't all that important to you (like another piece of wood) and see what you think.

 

[Ashb1502]

Well, I went the tape route, turned out great. A couple of joints lines visible up close, but hoping some fine wire wool will disguise this.

Now, has anyone managed to replicate the look of the hamon / temper line?

 

[pengbuzz]

Well, I went the tape route, turned out great. A couple of joints lines visible up close, but hoping some fine wire wool will disguise this.

Now, has anyone managed to replicate the look of the hamon / temper line?

You could probably replicate that by carefully masking the blade with masking tape (making sure to stick the tape 2-3 times against your pants leg or cloth to kill down the adhesive so it doesn't pull on the aluminum tape) and very lightly buffing using 1000 grit sanding film/ sandpaper.

 

[MonkeyInk]

Come out well, I went tape before, made a mess of my first go, well not made a mess but it was too visible in my opinion so I didnt like it. The last time I used it I then weathered it a little and added a few bits.
But looks good!

 

[Ashb1502]

So I'm pretty happy with it now. 3 attempts at laying down the foil. My final attempt, I layed the side pieces on first, and cut the excess off through the fully groove. Then spent about half hour rubbing down the foil with fine wire wool till it had a very noticeable satin brushed metal look.

Then I cut two more identical side parts out, drew on and cut out the hamon temper line on each and place these on the sides and wrapped them around the spine. Finally I gave the fresh foil a light rub with the wire wool again to remove some of the shine. Think it needs a couple more passes, but the difference in the shine of the side layers gives a very good imitation of a hamon line, in my opinion.

Thoughts on using foil, my god is it so much better than painted. Spray painting looks good, and is a lot quicker, but as soon as it is out of the light, it just looks toy like.
I followed Adam Savage's techniques in his video, but doing it on a curved blade was a challenge, more so as this is the first one I've ever done....

 

[Too Much Garlic]

WOW that turned out great. If I just went by the images I would say that was a very well made metal sword. Cannot believe that is a wooden sword with tape on it.

Congrats on an awsome result.

 

[scarf man]

I agree, great result, kudos Ashb1502

 

[T2fan91]

It looks good