Molotow Pens not Shiny

[Olderisbetter]

I have a problem with the Molotow pens. They are not as shiny, like chrome as I had expected. I'm getting a finish more like a good quality silver paint. Maybe it's my application technique or do they need a certain base coat first. How many coats are required. Thanks.

Dennis

[Deathgoblin]

I've gotten a fantastic chrome finish with one coat.  Make sure your surface is reasonably smooth and give it one good coat.  And for the love of all that's holy, let it dry for several days before you even think of touching it.  I've got a couple of test parts that are beautifully chrome.

[Xingu]

I have found that if I do not shake it well before I use it, the finish is more silver than chrome. I get good results and it is often hard to tell where I have touched up chrome pieces (as long as I have shaken the pen well).

[Foxer]

I have gotten that less shiny surface. I find I have to apply slowly and with a good flow. I have gone over those duller areas they came back to sparkle.

[Mark]

Shaking is probably the key thing.  I tried a couple of them out over the weekend, and was surprised at how close they are to chrome even after seeing the pictures here. 

[Mike999]

Somebody in here told me not to bother with a base coat when using Molotow pens.  That seems to be true.  I recently used one to chrome some headlight buckets, then some exhaust tips on a different kit. I base-coated the headlights with Tamiya Gloss Black acrylic, over grey plastic.  With the exhaust tips I didn't bother. Just used the pen directly on white plastic.  I can't see any difference in the two.

[Zoom Zoom]

The ink is dense; with the pen you need to keep the area wet with the ink as you apply it...with just a little practice it can look almost like liquid mylar when applying it. It doesn't need any sort of special undercoat, it is a completely different animal than Alclad or Spaz Stix chrome products, or also Sharpies when it comes to manipulating the pen. The fine tip 1 mm Molotow pen is the only one I really like using as a pen; the 2 and 4 mm sizes paint areas large enough that I'd rather run the Molotow ink through my airbrush...which is pretty amazing in itself. Regardless of application, let it dry thoroughly for 24-48 hours, as it gets pretty durable after that time.

[Jon Haigwood]

As said shaking and smooth surface is the key. 

 

[THarrison351]

I'm pretty happy with my results so far, but I haven't tried to use it on very large surfaces.

Like this emblem

Or the polished edge of a wheel

[ChrisBcritter]

High praise for your steady hand, Tim!

[935k3]

The ink is dense; with the pen you need to keep the area wet with the ink as you apply it...with just a little practice it can look almost like liquid mylar when applying it. It doesn't need any sort of special undercoat, it is a completely different animal than Alclad or Spaz Stix chrome products, or also Sharpies when it comes to manipulating the pen. The fine tip 1 mm Molotow pen is the only one I really like using as a pen; the 2 and 4 mm sizes paint areas large enough that I'd rather run the Molotow ink through my airbrush...which is pretty amazing in itself. Regardless of application, let it dry thoroughly for 24-48 hours, as it gets pretty durable after that time.

what tip size did you spray it with? and what pressure

[Zoom Zoom]

what tip size did you spray it with? and what pressure

I've shot through my #3 Grex tip and whatever my Iwata Eclipse (finer tip) is. Unregulated small tankless hobby compressor. It sprays just like paint.

[Olderisbetter]

Thanks for the tips guys.

[randyc]

Tim's work does look better than a lot of what I've seen recently.  That result might be worth the expense.

[Roadrunner]

Fascinating stuff. While I've yet to try one, Hobby Lobby sells them, so I'll be snatching one or two before the year is over.

[Arjay 396]

Great tips from everyone!  I just painted the license-plate frame on this 1970 Corvette promo model last night, with a Molotow 1.0 mm pen.  It's just as shiny as the model's chrome bumperettes......

 

[simonr]

A coupke of days ago I tried for the first time the use of these pens through the airbrush and the results are incredible. In the airbruah cup, it actually looked like a melted chrome bar...As in a YouTube video of a Chinese modeler, I just added a little bit of 90% alcohol and shooted it under the hot sun of my Puerto Rico...It turned out great and cleaning for my surprise was more easy than with paint...

 

Simón P. Rivera Torres

 

 

[simonr]

The results of my experiment...

Simón P. Rivera Torres

[Arjay 396]

Your results look incredible, Simon!

A very convincing set of alloys.

[simonr]

Your results look incredible, Simon!

A very convincing set of alloys.

Thanks a lot my friend...If I should take the final picture it would look much better. I just added a little bit of 90% alcohol and flowed real nice...

[Arjay 396]

I haven't tried airbrushing the ink but IMO the pens alone are a game-changer, at least for me.

[Brian Hurst]

I also have had same problem with molotow coming out silver. As far as my 1mm I just replaced the tip, that I purchased from Amazon, I did not have a new tip for my 2mm so I soaked it a few min. In some alcohol. Cleaned it off than few good shakes and pumps, it stated working again. 

[Bill Eh?]

That's a good idea Brian. It seems like preventative maintenance can go a long way, even with a Molotow Pen.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Shelf life.

Apparently Molotow has one.

 

I have 2 pens.

Neither of them lasted more than a year before they degraded.

 

Personally, I'll stick with the "better" alternatives.......for several reasons.

 

 

 

 

Steve

[LL3 Model Worx]

I bought a 1mm pen a couple years ago... and for the first project I used it on, it delivered fantastic results. I was blown away!

But, next time I went to use it, the tip had apparently clogged as it would no longer flow...

That's why I don't use them anymore. At that price I don't want to worry that it will quit working almost immediately.

I tried cleaning the tip by soaking it in 99% Alcahol to no joy.

I just use Alclad and other things now days. Though I Have something to post up later folks might like.