Captain Psycho Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Here's a unit I did just for fun. I've never liked the glitter effect that you get with acrylic metallic paints from GW or Vallejo. I was searching for alternatives on the web when I came across what the scale aircraft model guys call "natural metal finish." This is a category of planes from WWII and jets from the 1950s that were left unpainted so the fuselage is just bare aluminum. In order to get a convincing natural metal finish (NMF), the scale model guys use special metallic paints called "metalizers" that mimic the appearance of bare metal. The most popular is Alclad, but Model Masters and Gunze Sangyo also make metalizers. All of the metalizers come pre-thinned for airbrush use (in fact some are advertised as "for airbrush use only" which isn't a problem for me as I have a really nice dual action AB). But I came across this article on brush painting metalizers http://www.essmc.org.au/Natural_Metal_Finish.html and I have tried it and it works fine (it is very similar to what some mini painters call "wet brushing" aka dry brushing with a little more paint on the brush). The thing you need to know about these paints is that they really look like bare metal. None of the glitter effect you get with GW or Vallejo acrylics (and I have the Vallejo alcohol metal paints as well, and while better than the acrylics, they are not as good as metalizers). You really have to see the finish in person to appreciate the effect, the first time I tried it on a plain Space Marine shoulder pad I was blown away. It looked like it was made of aluminum. So here are some pics of my NMF Grey Knights. I used my airbrush to do zenithal lighting with various shades of Model Master metalizers while the gold is from Gunze Sangyo (which btw thins with alcohol like Tamiya paints) with a Sepia wash. http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Grey%20Knights/IMG_4983_zps2845e920.jpg http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Grey%20Knights/IMG_4954_zpsd1ffdd13.jpg http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Grey%20Knights/IMG_4953_zpsa15e98b4.jpg http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Grey%20Knights/IMG_4952_zps1e18f8b7.jpg http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Grey%20Knights/IMG_4955_zpsd3cc2a9f.jpg In the last pic the spotty finish on the armor isn't the paint, it is my lack of airbrush skillz (I'm still learning). I've also strategically avoiding taking pics where you can see the blades of the halberds. I over thinned some Vallejo Model Color intense blue and ended up making a big mess which I attempted to clean up with glazes but the end result is not what I was hoping for. But I love the NMF on these bad boys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert2004 Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 You done these whole models with an airbrush? I need to get one of these brushes!! Regardless they look very nice, the armor is fantastic I hate the glitter effect on the metalic paints GW do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Psycho Posted June 7, 2013 Author Share Posted June 7, 2013 You done these whole models with an airbrush? I need to get one of these brushes!! Regardless they look very nice, the armor is fantastic I hate the glitter effect on the metalic paints GW do! Not entirely - just the armor and the blades of the halberds. The details were brush painted. The thing about airbrushes is that they can be very frustrating to use with acrylics. You have to thin them enough so that they don't clog the nozzle but if you thin them too much they go on like a wash and you end up with a mess. Any drying of paint on the needle tip and you get splatter or spotty finish so you have to stop to clean the needle tip a lot. On the halberd blades I had both happen to me as I over thinned then added too much paint when I tried to correct. It is definitely trial and error as acrylics vary in consistency even within the same range. Having said that, once you get the hand of it, it is a great tool. Not likely to replace good old fashioned brush painting, but definitely worth the effort. The scale model guys tend to use lacquer paints or alcohol based Tamiya with lacquer thinner and having just airbrushed these GKs I can tell you it is much easier. However I had to wear a respirator and airbrush next to a window as the fumes are very toxic. I prefer acrylics for that reason but it means extra work when airbrushing. It is also not cheap - a good dual action AB and a compressor with a tank is the best set up but will run you 300 - 500 USD. I waited a long time to pick up mine until I was sure I wanted to use it, not something you want to buy just to try. If you are interested and you're in the US try Chicago Airbrush when they have a sale, that's where I got mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Sellsword Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 Nice NMF! I build planes also, and if you're looking for an acrylic that works well in an airbrush tryout Model Masters Acryl line. I have used these almost exclusively for my plane builds and they flow perfectly and are easy to clean up. Nice NMF! I build planes also, and if you're looking for an acrylic that works well in an airbrush tryout Model Masters Acryl line. I have used these almost exclusively for my plane builds and they flow perfectly and are easy to clean up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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