The toughest silver paint?

[Astrazoic]

I would like some opinions on the toughest silver paint out there. To be more precise, which silver paint holds up very well to masking?

My research seems to indicate that Alclad is the toughest, but would like additional experienced input.

Whatever the answers are, I still intend to overcoat with Future before masking - I just want to "over engineer".

Thanks.

[TER-OR]

Alclad seems to be the best, as you mentioned.

If you use Testor's Metalizer, paint all the colors first, mask them, and then do the metallic paint. Tricky, but necessary. I've done it exactly thrice.

Be careful with your mask - I'd get Tamiya tape and remove as much tack as you can with still keeping good adhesion.

[Andrew Gorman]

On the other hand, silver car paint from the auto parts store is absolutely bulletproof, as long as there is a color you can use. There is no chance at all of finding an exact match for RLM 666, or a realistic bare metal finish. but there are a lot of silver/gunmetal/titaniums available. An auto body supply store will have a much better selection than the local chain store.
Andrew

[Saturn]

Nother' vote for Alclad- tough stuff as long as your primer's decent.

If you get a chance, Testors has some interesting metallics in their Automotive Lacquer line (spray bomb only) They have a Plymouth Bright Platinum Metallic that I like a lot.

[mightymax]

Go to the railroad dept of your hobbyshop and get Floquil "Old Silver" or "Platinum Mist". These paints dry and by that I mean you won't burn your fingerprints into the finish like silver paints will do. I have used old silver to obtain various natural metal finishes. As is it looks like oxidized aluminum. You can take plain old toothpaste and buff it to a sheen. Take some Alclad aluminum polishing powder and buff it in and you will be shocked. I also have buffed it with silver rub n buff for a good effect.

Good Luck,
Max Bryant

[Astrazoic]

Excellent advice from all - thanks. I will be painting my PL 1/350 Enterprise refit with metallics, using a silver as base coat. I don't want a chrome finish, but I do need a tough coat of the stuff so I can mask off panels and such.

I'll let you know how it goes.

[lestatdelc]

Excellent advice from all - thanks. I will be painting my PL 1/350 Enterprise refit with metallics, using a silver as base coat. I don't want a chrome finish, but I do need a tough coat of the stuff so I can mask off panels and such.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Damn, you stole my idea!

;-p

I was going to do just what you were talking about. I am looking to get a "whiter" version of the ultra-fine brushed titanium metal finish you find on the real-world Apple G5 towers as the target "finish" of my 1/350 Polar Lights Enterprise 1701-refit project.

Let me know what things you find that work/don't work if you can. Sounds like you are further along than me (have not yet picked up my kits but will be doing so in about a week). Would be great to follow along etc.