How to get that chrome/polished look with metallics?

[paradigms_shift]

Hi all,

 

I am just getting back into 40k and I have started assembling a Grey Knights force.

 

I am looking for ways to make them look really chrome/polished using metallic paints. Part of the reason is fluff-based: from "The Shrouding" = "The combined psychic prayers of the Grey Knights are focussed in battle to confuse and wrong-foot their enemies, blinding their corrupted senses with the shining light of their faith and resolution." Almost seems to me that they should have a kind of glow about them. Just my hope/goal/pipe-dream.

 

 

I have read lots of stuff about NMM and it is really impressive, but those I have seen in person just aren't that convincing. Granted I have never been to a Golden Daemon or anything, so maybe I just haven't seen any really good examples.

 

Problem is, I still haven't seen any examples using "real" metallics that are as shiny as I am hoping for (think knights in polished steel plate). I think it may have to do with the metallic particle size compared to the size of the miniature?

 

So, anyone have any links to good metallics techniques for that chrome look, or alternately, what metallic paints have smaller particle sizes than GW?

 

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide.

 

edit: spelling, clarity, and removal of own stupiduity. <_<

[gorgoth]

Testors metalizer paints. They are made to be airbrushed on, but I have found that you can paint with them using some very small foam brushes i found at the local hobby store. Still for a shiney metal base you should spray them on and then do the other detail with the brushes kinda like painting backwards. These paints are laquer based and dry rather quickly and the partical size is way smaller than anything else I've seen.

[Brother Adeon]

Water down your metallic paints. And use a white undercoat.

 

The metallic paints have flakes of metal in them, when they get brushed on the flakes land haphazardly all over the place. Some are vertical, some are horizontal, some are at an angle in between. Because of this, one coat of metallic paint will generally look splotchy and very 'dry.'

 

When you add water the flakes float on the surface. The water evaporates and the flakes all lay flat at the same angle on the miniatures. This creates the very shiny effect of polished metal. With this technique more than one coat may be required as the ratio of paint to water is less, thus the coverage won't be the same.

 

Or use a metallic spray. I get mine from WalMart for 99 cents.

[Doc Faolan]

Testor's Metalizer. I think the Titanium is the shiniest, off hand.

[AdeptusDavidus]

+1 on the Metalizer paints. They're really top-notch.

 

If you're willing to entertain non-paint ideas, though, you might look into adhesive foil (Bare Metal Foil might be the name I'm looking for? I think Testors makes some too, now). You could put that down, then detail over it, I think, and get a super-gleaming appearance.

[paradigms_shift]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Definitely gave me something to try and/or buy. :confused:

 

Stupid question: Is lacquer-based the same as enamel, or is this another kind of paint I haven't heard of before?

 

Also, last night I stumbled across an article that suggested using Sky-Earth NMM techniques with metallic paints. Anyone seen this done effectively?

 

 

edit: spelling

[Commander Sasha]

Also, last night I stumbled across an article that suggested using Sky-Earth NMM techniques with metallic paints. Anyone seen this done effectively?

http://www.thecsg.co.uk/csg/index.php?topic=2594.0;all

(Scroll down to the MirrorMarine, and then to the bottom for the crisis)

Some people are just so talented you want to kill them.

[xa0s]

I nearly died when I saw that Mirror Marine! But it's giving me -ideas-.

[paradigms_shift]

Also, last night I stumbled across an article that suggested using Sky-Earth NMM techniques with metallic paints. Anyone seen this done effectively?

http://www.thecsg.co.uk/csg/index.php?topic=2594.0;all

(Scroll down to the MirrorMarine, and then to the bottom for the crisis)

Some people are just so talented you want to kill them.

 

 

That mirror marine is an excellent example of "traditional" SENMM. Very nice.

 

What I am wondering is if there are any examples of a fig where someone has applied the principle with metallics. I haven't been able to find any, but that doesn't mean no one has done it. Oh well.

[xa0s]

I apologize for the threadomancy, however I need to know what happened to that site -- http://www.thecsg.co.uk/csg/index.php?topic=2594.0 ??? Seems it's down and no longer in working order.

[hmk17]

Les from awesomepaintjob.com covered this awhile back. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXTqlEsvXRA

 

 

If you do not own an airbrush, still look into things like airbrush metallics colors. The pigments are much smaller and make a better overall metallic paint, regardless of how you apply it.

 

I use Vallejo Model Air now for all my base metallics.