How can I get this exact finish on my model wheels?

[Monty]

I'd like to replicate the finish on these spokes and center hub on some model wheels but don't know what paint etc to use.  I'd like your recommendations, but if possible, I'd also like to see your wheels to see how close you got to what I'm after.

TIA to any who can help on this.   

[Muncie]

Great looking wheels!

there will be a lot of correct answers based on different preferences...   these are my go to favorites

For the rough cast texture on the center - Krylon dull aluminum - can be hard to find - some ACE hardware stores have it - good paint, easy to use

For the machined finish on the rim -  most hardware store or auto part store chrome rattle can will have a bright finish, but not as bright as the Spaz stick or Alclad hobby paints - Krylon may still make this in the hobby and craft size.  Looks good for polished or bright machined aluminum finish

Art supply stores sell a brush on masking fluid - different brands have different consistencies so they take some experimentation to find the one that works the best

Edited February 14, 2017 by Muncie

[Snake45]

Get a Time Machine. Go back to the '70s or '80s and stock up on all the Pactra Flat Aluminum you can find. Wonderful stuff. I've never found anything I like half as much, and missing it still makes me cry.

[Scalper]

Silver sharpie will give it that effect. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

The rims are obviously polished aluminum, and you're going to need either a "buffing-metalizer" (Testors shown below on the REAR RIMS) or as mentioned (for a brighter finish) Spaz Stix, also available in rattlecans. Look for a YouTube video about using the stuff. You'll be sold. Alclad is airbrush only, but done right, it's really nice too. Videos using the stuff and the results you can expect are also available on YouTube.

The centers in your photo are not as-cast grainy aluminum, but are rather a gloss fine-grained aluminum paint with a clear top-coat. I believe one of the Tamiya silvers is about the finest grained color like this you'll find. 

It's going to be tricky to get exactly the finish you want, as the Tamiya silver may be top-coated with clear to get that effect, but Spaz Stix or Testors buffing-metalizer can NOT be cleared without ruining the effect of polished metal...no matter what you may hear elsewhere. That means you'll have to do some VERY careful masking, and do things in a particular order.

 

Edited February 14, 2017 by Ace-Garageguy

[Ace-Garageguy]

The COWL on this model is about the best you can get as far as "polished metal" from Testors buffing metalizer. Spaz Stix, done right, gives a clearer reflection.

[Art Anderson]

Silver sharpie will give it that effect. 

Even brighter are the new Molotow Liquid Chrome pens--mirror bright!

[Snake45]

I recently got a can of Krylon Matte Clear which is pretty flat. I'm thinking of decanting some and brushing it on the spokes of chrome wheels to get an unpolished effect like what you're looking for.

[BigTallDad]

Even brighter are the new Molotow Liquid Chrome pens--mirror bright!

Where can I buy it?

[gtx6970]

If it were me.

I would spray the rims with metalizers buffing aluminum finish,,, then hand paint the spokes in testors silver. DO NOT clear them .

 

The rear wheels on this is just plain metalizers magnesium finish , the fronts are I think aluminum ( car has been done a couple years so I don't remember 100% ) - both then  lightly buffed with a Q tip. No clear

 

The interior tins were sprayed in grey primer and sprayed with duplicolor chrome to get a polished aluminum finish, again no clear

 

Edited February 15, 2017 by gtx6970

[High octane]

Amazon.

 

[gtx6970]

Even brighter are the new Molotow Liquid Chrome pens--mirror bright!

 

Where can I buy it?

I bought the 1 and 2 mm pens off amazon yesterday. 9.95 for one , and 10.95 for the other

[W-409]

I'd use flat clear for those spokes. Definitely don't use Enamels as they'll turn yellow during the years, but acrylic clear shouldn't have this problem. Here I sprayed the chrome front wheels with flat clear, pretty close to the look you're after...

[samdiego]

I've done this by spraying the entire rim with Tamiya flat and brushing Tamiya clear over what I wanted bright

[935k3]

I would airbrush the entire wheel with Alclad Dark Aluminum. Then mask the center and put a gloss black base over the exposed outer rim( I use Tamiya TS-14 airbrushed) Then Spaztix Chrome airbrushed over the black

Edited February 21, 2017 by 935k3