Molotow Pen Question

[jchrisf]

I love Tamiya's chrome... maybe I'll just stick with Tamiya kits 

[John Pol]

 use AK metal paint for my chrome very durable alclad not that durable

[StevenGuthmiller]

48 minutes ago, James2 said:

I see some chrome in modern kits that appears more like a toy than would be desired on a scale model. 

All chrome is not the same, kind of like all that glitters is not gold...

I suppose that could be a possibility, but I believe that you will be hard pressed to find a better "chrome" finish than what is supplied by any of the plating companies offering model part plating services.

 

Steve

[jchrisf]

4 hours ago, John Pol said:

 use AK metal paint for my chrome very durable alclad not that durable

How does the appearance of AK Chrome look compared to Alclad and Molotow?  I have been very impressed with every AK metallizer paint job I have seen but I don't remember seeing a chrome paint job.  Good to hear that it is durable.

[peteski]

12 hours ago, James2 said:

Alclad if done correctly is three coats, gloss black, clear and chrome. Primer not counted in either application.

 

Is that something new?  Does Alclad recommend this method?  As I understand, Alclad chrome only requires a smooth gloss black undercoat (some people using gloss gray dark blue).  Why put clear over the gloss black it the black is already glossy?  The important thing is that (just like chrome) the base surface needs to be glass smooth for maximum reflectivity of the chrome paint. But gloss black should be glossy enough by itself.

[John Pol]

11 hours ago, jchrisf said:

How does the appearance of AK Chrome look compared to Alclad and Molotow?  I have been very impressed with every AK metallizer paint job I have seen but I don't remember seeing a chrome paint job.  Good to hear that it is durable.

If you go on you tube check out MCGarage he does all chrome on the body with this chrome and he goes to shows and wins alot of first place awards. this paint is already for airbrushing and no need for black underbase you can paint it right on the plastic and he also clear coats it If you can`t find him let me know by PM and I will send you a link

[jchrisf]

1 minute ago, John Pol said:

If you go on you tube check out MCGarage he does all chrome on the body with this chrome and he goes to shows and wins alot of first place awards. this paint is already for airbrushing and no need for black underbase you can paint it right on the plastic and he also clear coats it If you can`t find him let me know by PM and I will send you a link

Thanks John.. I'm going to check him out.  Sounds like AK might be the paint I am looking for... 

[John Pol]

best part I find no smell to it ever

[jchrisf]

4 minutes ago, John Pol said:

best part I find no smell to it ever

Oh man.. that is a big plus.  Is it a lacquer or Acrylic?  What other colors of AK do you use?

[bugman9317]

16 hours ago, John Pol said:

 use AK metal paint for my chrome very durable alclad not that durable

I never heard of AK chrome. I just ordered a bottle off of Amazon. It came to $13.00 including shipping for a 30oz bottle. I'll post results when I get it in. If it is just as good and half the cost I am in...  I just like the Molotow for more of a time factor over sending parts in to get re-chromed. It is quick, easy and comes out looking great without the toy like appearance. I would also use Alclad, but even though I have tried many times I can never get it to have that mirror finish like many people can get from it. 

[jchrisf]

2 hours ago, bugman9317 said:

I never heard of AK chrome. I just ordered a bottle off of Amazon. It came to $13.00 including shipping for a 30oz bottle. I'll post results when I get it in. If it is just as good and half the cost I am in...  I just like the Molotow for more of a time factor over sending parts in to get re-chromed. It is quick, easy and comes out looking great without the toy like appearance. I would also use Alclad, but even though I have tried many times I can never get it to have that mirror finish like many people can get from it. 

Looking forward to your review!

[ChrisBcritter]

Here's a review for the AK finishes including the chrome; you do need a gloss black base and thin coats to get the best results:

http://blog.nicnilov.com/2016/06/metallic-paints-for-scale-modeling-review-part-three/

Edited August 22, 2018 by ChrisBcritter

[bugman9317]

While I am waiting for a my body to finish drying I had some time to play around with the Extreme Metal AK finish. The one on the right is done with Molotow and the one on the left is with the Extreme metal done is light coats over top of a high gloss black. I know in the photo it is hard to tell, but the Extreme Metal looks good, but it is a lot less shiny than the Molotow and quite a bit darker because you have to be careful not to put too much on or it will loose all the shine.. This is my first try with the Extreme Metal so I might be able to get better results with practice. For ease of use, Motolow wins hands down because you just basically spray it, but if cost is a factor then the Extreme Metal can give good results..

 

 

 

[jchrisf]

Thanks for the follow up Bugman... I like the look of the Molotow better too.  Hopefully the competition will figure something out soon and the price will come down.

[bugman9317]

Someone on here said that they reduced the Molotow 1:1 with thinner. I am going to try it and see what results I get. If they come out good, that would bring Molotow down to about the same price per Oz as the Extreme Metal.

When I get a minute I'll post how it looks.

[jchrisf]

 

16 minutes ago, bugman9317 said:

Someone on here said that they reduced the Molotow 1:1 with thinner. I am going to try it and see what results I get. If they come out good, that would bring Molotow down to about the same price per Oz as the Extreme Metal.

When I get a minute I'll post how it looks.

Thanks.. I hope it works!

Here is Duplicolor Perfect Match Universal Chrome.  It would make a nice, shiny silver.  It actually looks really good but not nearly as mirror like as Molotow.  I can't get the camera to capture how it looks to my eyes.  The regular Duplicolor Chrome doesn't look nearly as good.

Edited September 1, 2018 by jchrisf

[bugman9317]

1 hour ago, jchrisf said:

 

Thanks.. I hope it works!

Here is Duplicolor Perfect Match Universal Chrome.  It would make a nice, shiny silver.  It actually looks really good but not nearly as mirror like as Molotow.  I can't get the camera to capture how it looks to my eyes.  The regular Duplicolor Chrome doesn't look nearly as good.

 

Thanks, I am going to stop at Advanced and pick up a bottle of that.. I have never used Dupli Color, but I can see that would come in handy.. From the picture it looks like a Polished Aluminium or Steel

 

[jchrisf]

18 minutes ago, bugman9317 said:

 

Thanks, I am going to stop at Advanced and pick up a bottle of that.. I have never used Dupli Color, but I can see that would come in handy.. From the picture it looks like a Polished Aluminium or Steel

 

It looks a lot better in person than the camera will show.  It is a lot more reflective in person.  And that was just one coat.. you don't even have to prime.

[jchrisf]

2 hours ago, jchrisf said:

It looks a lot better in person than the camera will show.  It is a lot more reflective in person.  And that was just one coat.. you don't even have to prime.

I got a better pic of it but still not showing how good it really looks.

[MrObsessive]

I really like the Molotow pens for doing touch-up work on wheels and such. In fact, when I restored this Porsche 356 I built many years ago, I used the pens to bring the wheels and mirrors back to life.

I haven't tried airbrushing them just yet.........that might be in my future when I get back to working on my Shelby (taking a break), and I need to bring the bumpers back up to snuff.

That bumper on the right looks FANTASTIC! If I can get mine to come out looking that good, it'll be worth it!

[jchrisf]

Here is a picture of Duplicolor Automotive Metallic Series Chrome.. not all that chrome-like, like the lid on the can but works great for certain other metals.  Don't use it in humidity or it will take all the shine out of it.

 

 

[Michael jones]

On ‎2‎/‎09‎/‎2018 at 12:51 AM, bugman9317 said:

Someone on here said that they reduced the Molotow 1:1 with thinner. I am going to try it and see what results I get. If they come out good, that would bring Molotow down to about the same price per Oz as the Extreme Metal.

When I get a minute I'll post how it looks.

You can thin down to about 3:1 and get great results. Just remember to turn your psi right down otherwise it will run. This will make the chrome last way longer! I don't see any purpose in Alclad Chrome or Spazstix Chrome now. These are redundant. Especially considering you don't need gloss black underneath the molotow.

Edited September 5, 2018 by Michael jones

[jchrisf]

1 hour ago, Michael jones said:

You can thin down to about 3:1 and get great results. Just remember to turn your psi right down otherwise it will run. This will make the chrome last way longer! I don't see any purpose in Alclad Chrome or Spazstix Chrome now. These are redundant. Especially considering you don't need gloss black underneath the molotow.

What do you thin yours with?

[Michael jones]

1 hour ago, jchrisf said:

What do you thin yours with?

Mr Levelling Thinner. I haven't tested any others. Regular lacquer thinner would probably work well, just not quite as self levelling, but would dry quicker. This maybe no problem as it self levels anyway as is. There's still a lot to learn about Molotow chrome I believe. Of course it can be applied without thinning as well. I guess it probably just depends on what you are doing with it.

[bugman9317]

19 minutes ago, Michael jones said:

Mr Levelling Thinner. I haven't tested any others. Regular lacquer thinner would probably work well, just not quite as self levelling, but would dry quicker. This maybe no problem as it self levels anyway as is. There's still a lot to learn about Molotow chrome I believe. Of course it can be applied without thinning as well. I guess it probably just depends on what you are doing with it.

I'm going to give it a shot on my next chrome job at 3:1 with my go to thinner. That would be great if it can bring the cost down