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Tamiya Acrylic Steel

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  • Member since
    July 2010
Tamiya Acrylic Steel
Posted by Triethylborane on Sunday, August 1, 2010 9:57 PM

Stupid question guys/gals.  I mostly use tamiya acrylic paints.  I have not seen a tamiya paint labeled as "steel".   Did I miss it?  If not, what tamiya acrylic paint do you use for steel?  Any other suggestions for other paints?  I don't have the money to afford an airbrush yet.  I thought I would mention that in case it affects any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Sunday, August 1, 2010 10:10 PM

Tamiya does not have a "steel" in their bottled paint range. I have used XF-56 Metallic Grey for steel, but it has a flat finish. This is easily remedied by applying clear gloss.

However, as you may have discovered, Tamya acrylic paints don't brush well, and their metallics even less so.

Vallejo have a "Natural Steel" in their ModelColor range, though I haven't tried it yet.

  • Member since
    July 2010
Posted by Triethylborane on Monday, August 2, 2010 6:50 AM

Thanks for the info Phil H.  I really appreciate the quick reply.

  I have XF-56.  Now I just need the airbrush.

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Chapin, South Carolina
Posted by Shipwreck on Monday, August 2, 2010 7:05 AM

Triethylborane

>>>I mostly use tamiya acrylic paints.  I have not seen a tamiya paint labeled as "steel".   Did I miss it?  If not, what tamiya acrylic paint do you use for steel?  Any other suggestions for other paints? <<<

 

You may want to considser Talon acrylic metalic paints at http://www.hawkeyeshobbies.com/catalog/talon.htm.

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  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Steilacoom, Washington
Posted by Killjoy on Monday, August 2, 2010 10:21 AM

If airbrushing, I have had more success with Vallejo Model Air's metallics.  It's acrylic, ready to go right out of the bottle, and comes in multiple different metal types (gunmetal, steel, brass, aluminum, black metallic etc)

I do add a drop of Future to every 4 drops of paint, but that's my preference.  You really can shoot model air right out of the bottle, and it brush paints fairly well also.

Chris

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: NYC, USA
Posted by waikong on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 11:54 AM

I'll put in a vote for the Talon also.  Alclad does spray better and is a tougher finish, but its laquer which I'm trying to get away from also - I use acrylic for everything else. 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 9:20 AM

For hand brushing small parts, I use my regular grey primer (Krylon, very flat).  I then drybrush with Testors enamel "steel" color.  I have also, when out of steel, mixed aluminum with a bit of flat black to grey it up, then drybrush. I don't see why the same technique would not work with acrylics.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 9:55 AM

I've just had a play with Gunze's Mr Metal Color Stainless Steel, which is essentially a buffable metallic acrylic (even though they recommend using Mr Color thinner which is a "lacquer" thinner).

Mr Metal Color seems to be soluble in denatured alcohol - it's fine grained and polishes up well, but will lift if masked over. I do like the finish though. It's thin enough to airbrush without thinning, but it should be brushable if necessary.

The difference between this (when polished) and Tamiya XF-56 is like the difference between apples and oranges.

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