Metal leafing?

[Ashdown]

Metal leafing is somthing that looks interesting. I was just currious if anyone has attempted using it before? I think some cool effects could be attained. Thanks.

 

 

Ash

[Solid Zaku]

;)

 

Well, somebody clearly has more money than God...

[CarbonCopy]

I have not done gold leafing on a model, but I have done it for a hand bound book. Same leafing materials, totally different application method.

 

I'd use my usual tactic -- read up on it, watch videos (free if possible), invest in a very small amount of materials and expect to burn through all of it with practice pieces.

 

And gold leafing sheet is not nearly as expensive as one might think at first. You might be out $10-25 US in materials costs, depending on how much you want to practice (adhesives + gold leaf sheet/powder). Go with sheet as it may be easier to control on miniatures than powder. Oh, and buy a kit to save money for the practice round. That way you get a feel for it without blowing a huge wad.

[winterdyne]

I've used it on WWII aircraft, reflectors etc. To be honest at smaller scales a decent paint or lacquer will get you results that are almost as good with less effort - Alclad in particular work extremely well. Vallejo's metallics are also lovely. Where the metal leaf works very well is when you need a transparent surface with a solid metal on the other side (eg a reflector lens). With paint this would mean applying the metallic directly to the perspex / plastic which never works very well.

[Arnil]

Gold leafing pens. Liquid gold which drys to look solid if you apply enough. I did it on my guys which are in my gallery. I bought it at a craft store. The results are worth the extra costs. I've only ever had one gold and one sliver and they have lasted me 2600 points so far. It makes things look solid!