chrome paint

[GerN]

I have gotten good results brush-painting decanted paint from a Krylon silver leafing pen. It looks less artificial than kit chrome to me, and I can clean my brush with soap and water. It cannot be buffed or clear-coated, however. I have tried air-brushing Alclad, and I like the appearance of the Krylon better. It is expensive ($7 per pen from craft stores), but it does stay usable in a small bottle, and goes a long way for me (I'm just painting wheels and smaller parts).

[Guest Davkin]

Any pics?

David

[GerN]

Attached is a photo; not too good, I'm afraid: it doesn't really show the chrome very well. Clearcoating reduces the chrome-like appearance, but the Krylon finish takes routine handling without any top coat. I'm reluctant to get out the airbrush for anything less than the car body (and I'm awfully lazy about that, too), so doing chrome with a brush is very appealing. Thinning the Krylon with water destroys the chrome appearance, by the way. The tires in the photo are my resin casts, which also look much better in person.

Yes, this is a pen. I also forgot to mention it works best over a smooth (matte is OK) coat of black paint. This seems to give more depth to the chrome look.

Edited June 6, 2008 by GerN

[abedooley]

Is this a PEN??? I have never seen it before.... I guess I'm goin back to hobby lobby now.. thanks for the tip. I've been looking for something more accessible than ordering alclad or spazstix. I'm kinda new to being VERY serious about how good my work looks now. I wanted my front and rear bumpers to look more like brushed stainless and I sprayed some caution yellow then some krylon nickel and it looks okay. I thought about doing another coat of nickel and taking a very small brush and stroking it very lightly, but I'm afraid I'll mess it up. If anyone has a better solution to this please let me know.

ABE DOOLEY

[mikemodeler]

This is good info to know. I haven't tried Alcad as some have mentioned difficulties and the fact that there is a bunch of prep work involved.

Has anyone tried that chrome spray product that was advertised in the latest issue of MCM? That could be a solution as well.

[Brendan]

Has anyone tried that chrome spray product that was advertised in the latest issue of MCM? That could be a solution as well.

April 1

[Kenny]

Has anyone tried that chrome spray product that was advertised in the latest issue of MCM?

[george 53]

Man I feel ALOT better now,cause I'm not the ONLY one what fell for it!!!Mike, that was this years April Fools joke,mean as it was!!!!Played ME like a cheap pianni.

[mikemodeler]

I knew all along that it was an April Fool's joke, just thought I would throw it out there and see if anyone else caught it.

On a serious note, I did find a spray can of chrome at Hobby Lobby that does a decent job. When I get home I will have to see if I can dig it out and show some pieces that I painted with it.

Mike