Project Look-Alike aluminized lacquer

I love Alclad.  I use Aluminum, but if I want a highly polished finish I use their Polished Aluminum.  They take some effort- you must use a base of perfect gloss black, which can be a challenge, but worth it.  For the polished version, you must dial the flow way back and slowly build up the reflectance.  If you go too far it starts to dull.

I would recommend a practice piece to start with before trying on your model.  Use scrap plastic (many people use plastic spoons for test pieces).

Alclad has a high speed silver in its range which looks the part. Also try their dull aluminum or white aluminum. 

I use the Alclads quite a bit for unpainted metal areas and really like them. I've got their dull aluminum and white aluminum here and will look at their high speed silver.

Thanks,

Tom

Model Master Metalizer non buffable Aluminum is a good option for aluminum lacquer. 

I'll take a look at this too.

Thanks

Tom

Hello!

Since this is supposed to be silver paint, wouldn't it be right to use silver paint, like Humbrol 11 and not top shelf metalizer (Alclad)?

Have a nice day

Paweł

That's what I was thinking, but it would have to be very finely ground pigment. I think that's why the Floquil old silver was so popular (and of course the overall Floquil quality).  I think I'm going to spray some test panels to see what looks good.

Thanks,

Tom

Too bad about Floquil in general and the Old Silver in particular. I read a build article using Citadel Mythril (spelling?) Silver as a substitute; in this case for British High Speed Silver, an aluminized paint for early RAF jets. Have yet to try it, but it may be worth a look.

I'm not at all familiar with the Citadel paints. I'll have to look into that. I also should see what Hataka has available in their orange line lacquers. They spray very well, and remind me a lot of the old pre-Testors Floquil.

Thanks,

Tom

Bare Metal Foil

No, While I respect and admire people that can foil entire models, I'm better off sticking with paint. I can usually manage foil on oleo struts, but that's about it.

Thanks,

Tom

Pawel

Hello!

Since this is supposed to be silver paint, wouldn't it be right to use silver paint, like Humbrol 11 and not top shelf metalizer (Alclad)?

Have a nice day

Paweł

 

If I was suggesting a paint like that, I’d go with Testors square bottle Aluminum. Or their Model Master equivalent. Tamiya Aluminum looks good as the lacquer as well.

I've airbrushed the MM aluminum before. It sprays very well, but is maybe a liitle too grainy for the right "scale" look. Some experimentation may be needed. Where is that box of plastic spoons?

Thanks,

Tom

How about Testors' Metalizer Aluminum Plate. I find that it does not rubb off once it is buffed to a shiny finish.

I think I've got some of that. I'll give it a try.

Thanks,

Tom

Tom;

 Before you commit to a type, try some of this. It's called "Rub-n-Buff" Polished Silver. They also have Gold, Antique silver, Bronze ,Antique Bronze and Polished Copper that I know of. I have used it before with great success. The last time was on a very Large B-36 I did for a relative. he still wipes it down occassionally and says it is still shiny.

 It's used by ,or used to be used by, Photo and Art framers to creat that old classic look or on a restoration for a very old frame. Remember some of those frames had plaster embellishments that Had to look the part!    P.S. I believe they now have Old Pewter and Polished Pewter!

Do you have any tips for applying the stuff? Someone used it in another modeling magazine several years ago so I bought a tube. Still have the tube but never used it. I no longer have the magazine and forgot what the author did. 

I've used Rub 'N Buff before, a very long time ago. Done well, and I'm not saying I did it well, it can look good. I think I'm going to stick with an airbrushable liquid, though.

Thanks,

Tom

A problem I had with R&B was that decals did not stick well to it.  Paint stuck even worse.  I believe the stuff had a wax base to it.  I avoid anything with wax around my models, including auto body polishes.

This is true. A very good friend and modeling mentor liked to say that it is well named, because you can always rub it, and you can always buff it. It never actually dries. On another note, I was prowling on ebay a couple of days ago and found a bottle of Floquil old silver at what is for these days a reasonable price. It should be here in a few days. Hoarded carefully, it should be a lifetime supply for Project Look-Alike birds.

Thanks,

Tom

Don Stauffer

A problem I had with R&B was that decals did not stick well to it.  Paint stuck even worse.  I believe the stuff had a wax base to it.  I avoid anything with wax around my models, including auto body polishes.

 

 

JohnnyK

How about Testors' Metalizer Aluminum Plate. I find that it does not rubb off once it is buffed to a shiny finish.

 

The metalizers do work very well, although I think the Alclads are more durable. I like being able to mask over them. Your foiled aircraft are beautiful. I really enjoy watching you WIP's on them.

Thanks,

Tom

Mate, Model Master make some GREAT metallic paints...LOTS of colors....but it's fragile - fingerprints mar it easily and decals are problematic. I use it in spots that won't need manual handling.
Alclad, on the other hand...THAT stuff dries HARD. Bulletproof. Lay down a good coat of closs black or gloss white (depending on the look you need) and you'll be amazed. Even chrome. The stuff is fantastic.

You might try Tamiya's rattlecan Bare Metal (AS-12 I think) over their gloss black as a base.  Here's what it looks like.

Here are some “Lookalike” Thuds on their way to Vietnam via Hickham AFB. As you can see, the lacquer is rather dull in appearance.

tomwatkins45

The metalizers do work very well, although I think the Alclads are more durable. I like being able to mask over them. Your foiled aircraft are beautiful. I really enjoy watching you WIP's on them.

Thanks,

Tom

 

JohnnyK, you are very welcome. I look forward to seeing more of your foiled AC. Stickpusher, that's a very good photo of Look-Alike birds. The finish was not at all "shiny" and was very uniform overall. It did look like very smooth aluminum paint. I'm looking forward to seeing if this fresh (new-old) Old Silver duplicates it as well as my memory says it does.

Thanks to All

Tom

Yes, the Lookalike birds were nowhere near as shiny and reflective as the original NMF Huns.