Expanded metal screen

[NOBLNG]

Here’s a little trick I discovered for simulating expanded metal. This is the belt guard for the compressor in the “Joe’s Garage “ kit. I sprayed the aluminum first, then stretched a piece of fibreglass window screen diagonally and used it as a mask. Then I shot a lite coat of black on it.

Edited March 27, 2020 by NOBLNG

[Bills72sj]

Neat trick!!

[935k3]

Another option is to spray it silver then a coat of Tamiya Acrylic X-18. After drying use a Q-tip dampened with ammonia to to remove the black from where you want it to be silver. Ammonia removes Tamiya Acrylics but does nothing to other paints.

[BigTallDad]

Great tip. 

A similar approach might be used to simulate carbon fiber.

[Curt]

Great tip!  That looks very convincing as expanded metal.

[Snake45]

Very cool! I've thought of doing something similar on clear decal stock to make "lace" panels. I think they'd look better than using full-scale lace, even the smallest size available. I've never seen any that didn't look FAR too large. 

[peteski]

Interestign and useful painting technique for simulating expanded metal mesh.  I have used this type of masking technique for other purposes, and I  know some use lace as masking material for pretty paint jobs.

But the title of this thread is confusing (at least to me).  Adding "mesh" or "screen" to it would have it made much clearer.  "Expanded metal" is a but nebulous.

[NOBLNG]

1 hour ago, peteski said:

But the title of this thread is confusing (at least to me).  Adding "mesh" or "screen" to it would have it made much clearer.  "Expanded metal" is a but nebulous.

Sorry, I was a sheet metal worker by trade and assumed it was obvious. I clarified it.

That was the first attempt and I just pinned it down over the guard with thumbtacks. I think if a person was to make a frame, the actual screen could be glued in to make it even more realistic?

Edited March 27, 2020 by NOBLNG

[peteski]

Thanks Greg!

I'm not involved in metal work on a professional level.

[slownlow]

I found this expanded metal from a sheetrock  patch kit at my local Home Depot.