Simulating Metal Flake Vinyl Upholstery

[Impalow]

Has anyone had any success with this? I am going to try it with some larger flake silver nailpolish over black and then some clear...has to be gloss, but not super glossy.. Im not 100% confident its going to work. I just dont want it to look super tacky, or fake...Which i can see happening.

Edited May 27, 2015 by Impalow

[Ace-Garageguy]

Metalflake upholstery is kinda super tacky by definition, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. If you mean large flake, like you see in dune-buggies and boats (like this, which is, I know, paint or gelcoat, but I've seen upholstery just as loud on occasion...

...then Testors "One Coat" metallics will give you about that flake size in 1/25 scale. Either dull-coat or gloss-coat it to get the level of shine you think is appropriate.

There ARE some metallic-finish leatherettes and vinyls (like in my '63 Olds from the factory) that are really quite nice, but the flake is so small, it would just about disappear in 1/25 scale; a very fine pearl just might get a reasonable appearance.

Edited May 27, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

[Impalow]

Thanks bill! Yeah I'm talking about the large metallic flakes like a boat, or the vinyl seats on rides at the fair (you are right, tacky was the wrong word to use.. Haha) For some reason my picture didn't show up.. I will take a look at the one coat colors, that may be easier than multi step fingernail polish. I used the pearl powder in dullcoat on my last interior and it came out awesome, perfect sheen.. This is for a wild gasser so I want that fair ride/ 50s diner look... My main worry with the metalflake I think is the gloss, I don't want it to look like a gloss cleared an entire model.

Edited June 18, 2015 by Impalow

[Mike_G]

Pactra RC69 R/C car lacquer has big silver flakes in a clear carrier

[Ace-Garageguy]

This is the size flake you can expect with the Testors "One Coat" metallic lacquers. This is top-coated with gloss-clear and sanded / polished...

but Testors also makes a "dullcote" clear, #1260.

If I remember correctly though, those metalflake vinyl upholstery materials are glossy.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

[Impalow]

I had a little bit of luck with this....

Duplicolor silver lacquer, nail polish silver with big flakes, and then some gloss acrylic clear. Managed to pull off the metal flake vinyl look pretty decent I think....

[Ace-Garageguy]

Looks GREAT !