discussion Bought some alclad chrome

[Guest]

ive gone ahead and bought some alclad products,


Mainly a black gloss primer, chrome for plastic models, some of their al600 clear and a bottle of airbrush cleaner too.


I looked at how well this product produces real chrome looking effects, and decided it was handy.


Respirator ready, should last me a while!

 

[Guest]

I find it excellent stuff, good coverage and dries quickly.


Downsides are that you need special cleaner and that as it is so thin it is a little unforgiving if you skimp on the prep of the surface you are spraying.


You also have to decide how you are going to apply the chrome. I find it has a tendency to rub off rather easily, so bearing this in mind I like to spray on the chrome while the gloss black base still has a little 'tack' to it. It seems to me that the chrome adheres much better if I do this.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Del,


Ive been watching videos of it, (i really must stop watching these bloody videos, every time i do, my wallet opens!!)


Good tip on the tacky base coat, ill bear that in mind, and i got their own airbrush cleaner as others had said its best to.


I also got their aqua clear as again, seems people rate that as best for sealing the chrome paints.

 

[Guest]

Special cleaner? Just use cellulose thinner - it's the same stuff, only cheaper!

 

[Guest]

Oh is it? Damn, i got loads of that! Oh well!

 

[Guest]

Dave I've just bought some alclad 2 products never tried them befor, I was going to do the vw samba bus with it and some of their candy colours but have discovered the shell is not one piece ( bit peed to be honest as if you follow the instructions it will be a pain to spray as you build the body round the floor pan so every window has to be masked to stop the spray getting into the inside, it was supposed to be a fill in model, an easy kit, so back into the stash, can't face another intensive build, the Citroen is enough for me) anyway I digress, I've decided to get the bat mobile out again and update it will be using the candy colours on that so we can share eachothers experiences with them.

 

[Guest]

Yep, will do KP,


Bear in mind though, ive only gone for the chrome colour, as its probably the only one ill use.


Judging by the lustre that can be acheived, i think your choice of paint is probably good for that batmobile.


Have you thought of using decanted car spray on the samba, and decanted clear laquer, the halfords stuff?


I watched a video a few days ago, where a guy basically does his primer in an airbrush, decanted from a halfords can, then sands, does the base colour, again decanted, and then the laquer, again decanted.


Wet sanded and then he polishes, and it was truly amazing!

 

[Guest]

Mate it will go straight to the bottom of the stash, I honestly I can't face another intense build now.

 

[Guest]

Not sure i can blame hou buddy! That citroen is mahoosive! I applaud you for doing it!

 

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

If your using Candy colours don't forget to use the Candy Base primers, I used Candy Indigo on my Iron Patriot and its an amazing colour.


Never had any issues with the chrome coming off but if you want to protect it use the Alclad Aqua Gloss.


Adrian

 

[Guest]

Love alclad. The finishes are awesome.


Your black gloss coat needs to be perfect though

 

[Guest]

Love alclad. The finishes are awesome.
Your black gloss coat needs to be perfect though

Well, I tried Alclad and couldn't get the shiny chrome finish. And I don't like to spray anything that has cellulose lacquer through my (good quality) airbrush. For small to medium parts I have used Uschi Metal Polishing Powder, Chrome Type. www.uschivdr.com It is a powder and is rubbed over a glossy black undercoat (try Tamiya Glossy Black synthetic lacquer, in a spray can) using a cotton bud. It buffs rapidly to a high chrome shine. So quick and easy to use. No cleaning of the AB. Here is clip from John's shop:


View attachment 237717

 

[john i am]

There's a new Sheriff in town going my the name of vallejo metal color and I've just acquired some but not tried them yet but after seeing Ian's work on his Sabre I was immediately convinced


View attachment 237718



I myself have used alclad exclusively and I am very happy with the results but I'm always open to new ideas and methods.View attachment 237719

My latest 1/72 mustang in chrome WIP. My pic doesn't really do it justice

But I'll be giving these a try View attachment 237720

In the next few days to make a comparison.

As others have said with a bare metal finish it's all about the prep work and if that's right then the alclads will not disappoint. Good luck cheers John

 

[Guest]

I've seen comparisons on the finish of many products and alclad almost always comes out on top.

Well, I tried Alclad and couldn't get the shiny chrome finish. And I don't like to spray anything that has cellulose lacquer through my (good quality) airbrush. For small to medium parts I have used Uschi Metal Polishing Powder, Chrome Type. www.uschivdr.com It is a powder and is rubbed over a glossy black undercoat (try Tamiya Glossy Black synthetic lacquer, in a spray can) using a cotton bud. It buffs rapidly to a high chrome shine. So quick and easy to use. No cleaning of the AB. Here is clip from John's shop:
View attachment 136893

As Steve says it has drawbacks. I managed to get a great chrome finish on it in my second go but it's not easy and I could get better.


I do like the idea of the powders as well Steve, I just haven't tried them yet. I have nylon seals in my brush so I just sick anything through it. I usually break it down and clean it every spray session as it takes so little time.

 

[Guest]

I usually use the powders also (they also look amazing on rougher up rod if you don't polish them as old steel, check out the shafts on my airfix paddle steamer engine) have guessed I'm a fan of the powders.

 

[Guest]

I must admit, the reason i went for the alclad for the chrome paint was because of a video i saw where a guy used spoons to test alclad, mr metal, uschi polishing powder and vallejo metal finish.


The alclad was quite clearly the winner, with mr metal buffable second, the polishing powder and vallejo both looked excellent until you placed them next to the alcald, the difference was palpable.


I guess it will be a case of how well the base is done, and the effort put in to all, and the maker was honest enough to say, alclad needed way more effort, and cost way more than any others, so its swings and roundabouts i guess!

 

[stona]

I too use Alclad and am happy with the results. It is all about the preparation.


It isn't cheap and it doesn't go far!


Cheers


Steve

 

[Guest]

I usually use the powders also (they also look amazing on rougher up rod if you don't polish them as old steel, check out the shafts on my airfix paddle steamer engine) have guessed I'm a fan of the powders.

Checking out another man's shafts may be a little out of my comfort zone

 

[Guest]

I too use Alclad and am happy with the results. It is all about the preparation.
It isn't cheap and it doesn't go far!


Cheers


Steve

Do you not find it seems to last forever? I put 3 drops in and I can do probably just under 10 Sq cm to be fair I may be doing things wrong with alclad still.

 

[stona]

I find that by the time I've built up a decent metallic finish I've used quite a bit of Alclad. Very often I'm spraying things like undercarriage legs which does entail a lot of wastage, most of the paint is going straight into the extractor ):


Cheers


Steve