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Posted

I wonder if spraying some Testors Xtreme Wet Look lacquer would make the chrome spray more durable. I use it for the shine, but also the durability. I am not sure how it would work on spray chrome, but it worth a test. Then the chrome is sealed.

Posted
1 minute ago, WillyBilly said:

I wonder if spraying some Testors Xtreme Wet Look lacquer would make the chrome spray more durable. I use it for the shine, but also the durability. I am not sure how it would work on spray chrome, but it worth a test. Then the chrome is sealed.

Most organic solvent based clears (and that's one of those) will dull the finish of "chrome" paints turning it into just duller silver color.

Posted
31 minutes ago, peteski said:

Most organic solvent based clears (and that's one of those) will dull the finish of "chrome" paints turning it into just duller silver color.

I did not know that. I assumed it could, but did not know that for sure. Thanks for the answer.

Posted

That will be the day when someone actually makes the 'Holy Grail' for car modellers.

Realistic chrome paint that can be airbrushed and go off dry as hard as nails. 

No one has achieved it so far, and wonder if it will ever happen. It's a pain in the butt having to handle sprayed chromes with kid gloves after they have dried.

  • Like 2
Posted (edited)
4 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

That will be the day when someone actually makes the 'Holy Grail' for car modellers.

Realistic chrome paint that can be airbrushed and go off dry as hard as nails. 

No one has achieved it so far, and wonder if it will ever happen. It's a pain in the butt having to handle sprayed chromes with kid gloves after they have dried.

I understand. I’m beginning to think I wasted over $30 on it. I stripped and spray chromed some Kenworth wheels, and stripped them again, and re sprayed them. It seems you can’t get a nice chrome finish without going with a heavy coat or two. Plus I don’t know how the chrome spray will react when I add some accent to tone down the chrome when fully dry. With the old black based alclad, I always got a nice shiny coat, with a very light mist coat. Also I never had to apply accent to tone the chrome down.  I think I’m going to stay with the alclad. 

Edited by Brutalform
Posted

After applying some accent, it removes the chrome. So now the rims will be stripped again. A lot of wasted money stripping $35 chrome! 

Posted
2 hours ago, Brutalform said:

After applying some accent, it removes the chrome. So now the rims will be stripped again. A lot of wasted money stripping $35 chrome! 

When using a new/$$ product it pays dividends to not get three steps ahead before you find a failure. Think ahead. What are your plans for base color and accent? Test the process out on a spare part before jumping into painting an entire project and finding out something didn't work. There's a learning curve to these new chrome paints. They do what they do. There are work-arounds that can be achieved. You didn't give yourself or the chrome paint a decent chance for success. I spend a lot of time before/during a build doing research on the subject and potential new materials/techniques to try. The extra time is worth it. Sometimes you have to slow down and smell the roses vs. plowing straight through them...

Posted (edited)
7 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

That will be the day when someone actually makes the 'Holy Grail' for car modellers.

Realistic chrome paint that can be airbrushed and go off dry as hard as nails. 

No one has achieved it so far, and wonder if it will ever happen. It's a pain in the butt having to handle sprayed chromes with kid gloves after they have dried.

It's not a Holy Grail, it's just expensive. Alsa Corps Easy Chrome, created for 1:1 vehicles, is a decent chrome finish that can be handled as well as any paint. They have a clear coat for outdoor use, but on models there is no need at all to use it. Developed for the 1:1 industry, they do make the product available in a 'hobby size' kit, but it cost $229 USD. Many forum members have long said that a good looking, durable, airbrushable chrome would be the best thing ever, yet no one has ponied up and done a comparison with Easy Chrome and the known hobby chrome paints. 

I've been keen to try some myself, but I really don't have a lot of use for a chrome paint. My original Molotow chrome refill is still over 3/4 full, and works well enough to make the occasional chrome dot on a dash knob. Curiosity still compels me though, so I could yet buy the Easy Chrome some day. I will certainly post a review when it happens, but don't hold your breath.

Easy Chrome | The World's Most Exotic Finishes )

Edited by Bainford
Posted
4 hours ago, Zoom Zoom said:

When using a new/$$ product it pays dividends to not get three steps ahead before you find a failure. Think ahead. What are your plans for base color and accent? Test the process out on a spare part before jumping into painting an entire project and finding out something didn't work. There's a learning curve to these new chrome paints. They do what they do. There are work-arounds that can be achieved. You didn't give yourself or the chrome paint a decent chance for success. I spend a lot of time before/during a build doing research on the subject and potential new materials/techniques to try. The extra time is worth it. Sometimes you have to slow down and smell the roses vs. plowing straight through them...

Testing, or not testing, which I normally do on used sprue, has nothing to do with it. From my experience since I tried it, the spray chrome simply can’t handle certain things applied to it, as kit supplied chrome would. For me, I think I’ll just continue to use the black base under alclad. 

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Posted

Trevor,  probably no one has ponied up as you put it to test Easy Chrome against model making chromes.

At 229 bucks a pop for the Easy Chrome it should be no surprise they haven't.

I live across the 'pond' so don't know if Easy Chrome is sold over here or not. If it was I would imagine the 229 dollar kit you mentioned would be even more expensive in a market that now looks to be getting more unpredictable by the day.I

My Holy Grail would still be what I wish for but actually affordable !

Posted

the alsa chrome is pretty much what they use on mirrors, but they call it silvering. it is available in the uk and you can see it used on the car sos episode with the jag xjs. I've been intending to contact the company shown to enquire about the possibility of doing model parts

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Posted

I have had really good luck with the Revell chrome. On wheels I have not had any issues, I always do a light coat over black primer though. I also leave them sit as long as possible.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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