What can I do for a more realistic metal finish?

  • Boozilla
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    211 year ago

    A wash can help. Thin some dark brown paint with a thinner and brush it liberally over the gold, but try to concentrate it in the crevices and low spots. Using the right thinner is important. Water for acrylic can work OK, but isn’t ideal. Distilled water is better than tap water. Acrylic medium or flow medium is better still.

    Some people use mineral spirits and oil based paint to good effect. Other people prefer ink washes. Experiment on some test pieces to see what you like. It requires patience and a little experience to get it.

    • ChamrsDeluxeOP
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      71 year ago

      Thanks, I’ll definitely look into that. I might try rub n buff as well as I’ve heard that could be good.

      • Boozilla
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        61 year ago

        It looks really good, BTW.

        The funny thing is, gold doesn’t tarnish or oxidize. But, it would probably look a lot more convincing with a layer of grime on it anyway. It will make the shiny parts look more like metal by contrasting them with the grotty bits.

        Using test pieces will help you find the results you want. Good luck.

        • ChamrsDeluxeOP
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          61 year ago

          I like the idea that the gold is a ruse. It’s all icing on a shit cake.

  • @[email protected]
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    1 year ago

    Gold leaf, Can’t get more real than real. I’ve always been told that you should put a red base under gold leaf, but I don’t know if you really need to.

    • ChamrsDeluxeOP
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      51 year ago

      I feel like gold leaf would be reeeeeeeaaaallllyyy hard to put on abaolutely smooth. I’m probably gonna go with rub n buff first lol

  • itchick2014 [Ohio]
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    71 year ago

    I would recommend Rub ‘n’ Buff. They make really good colors and you can get the uneven tones that make a piece more realistic. They even have rust effect ones if you want to go there (great for crevices).

    • ChamrsDeluxeOP
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      31 year ago

      I’m definitelt going to give it a try!

      Which gold do you think would be closest to the gold on this.

      • valaramech
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        71 year ago

        The patina on that crown leads me to believe it’s actually copper or bronze. You might want to shoot for metallics that emulate those more than gold.

      • itchick2014 [Ohio]
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        11 year ago

        I honestly don’t know. I have only used it for paper crafts and only had a brass and silver color.

        • ChamrsDeluxeOP
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          21 year ago

          Ended up using gold leaf. Would have liked to use grecian gold, but neither craft store near me had it.

  • @shalafi
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    31 year ago

    Tried the “hammered” spray paint options? Thank me later.

    • ChamrsDeluxeOP
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      1 year ago

      I LOVE the hammered stuff, I just don’t want a hammered look on this crown.

      Forge hammered is what I used as the base coat for my other helmets before weathering.

  • Endorkend
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    31 year ago

    Way I tend to do metal look on stuff I 3D print is cover it in glue/lacquer, then blow either actual rust powder or graphite powder all over it.

    And then apply the iron/gold/silver/whatever paint over it.

  • @sramder
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    21 year ago

    I do it with a chrome base and a yellow tinted clear on top.

  • Khalic
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    11 year ago

    I use an undercoat of Vallejo Black Brilliant Undercoat and then spray with one of their golds