dmthamade Posted February 22 Posted February 22 (edited) Saw this on LSP forum, Follow links inside. Looks like a viable alternative? Anybody try and can chime in? Tamiya LP48 Sparkling Silver and MRP-31 Chrome - Painting & Finishing - Large Scale Planes Don Edited February 22 by dmthamade
ShawnS Posted February 25 Posted February 25 Its not like full reflective chrome but depending on their own personal standards those builders who use plain silver paint for their chrome might be happy with the results. These roll cages were painted with sparkling silver and the identical TS83 metallic silver spray can. Just like Alclad etc. they work best over a smooth coat of any dark colour. It doesn't dull with handling either and both LP48 and TS83 are more idiot proof than Alclad etc type of paints as you can get a quick and easy result. Cheers ShawnS 3
dmthamade Posted February 25 Author Posted February 25 Yeah, not "chrome" enough for bumpers or anything that needs to be ...chrome. Looks like something that will have uses, though. I've used TS83 before, so i do know what it looks like, hard no on chrome work. Thanks for giving a real example, i was going to go to the hobby shop, now i need another excuse/reason to go. Cockpits look great, super clean.👍 Don
Bugatti Fan Posted February 26 Posted February 26 The Holy Grail of finishing would be a Chrome finish that you will not need to handle with kid gloves afterwards. 2
dmthamade Posted February 26 Author Posted February 26 4 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said: The Holy Grail of finishing would be a Chrome finish that you will not need to handle with kid gloves afterwards. I remember, back in the day, using Testors silver in the square bottle for chrome or NMF. 60 years later, and that paint is probably still not cured, still tacky!! Don 2 2
Big John Posted February 26 Posted February 26 another option... On the big intake tubes I used Tamiya Bright Silver spray and over coated that with the Tamiya "Semi-gloss Silver Anodized Aluminum". The seemi gloss is like a clear coat and durable to the touch. 2 1
peteski Posted February 26 Posted February 26 That looks very realistic for plastic representing aluminum parts, but I would never use that for depicting chrome. I also believe that model chrome should be as bright and reflective as it is on 1:1 vehicles. The "muted" or dull chrome some modelers use and prefer looks too dull to me. 2
dmthamade Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 1 hour ago, peteski said: That looks very realistic for plastic representing aluminum parts, but I would never use that for depicting chrome. I also believe that model chrome should be as bright and reflective as it is on 1:1 vehicles. The "muted" or dull chrome some modelers use and prefer looks too dull to me. It seems to be easy to duplicate aluminum finishes, but chrome...i agree, chrome is chrome, bright mirror-like super shinee chrome. Or nothing. Have seen examples that would be ok, but they don't seem to endure or they are fragile to the point installing the part could be disastrous. Honestly, it's getting to the point i won't do a build with chrome, 50's-60's builds without chrome work done close to perfect just don't look right. Don . 1
dmthamade Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 3 hours ago, Big John said: another option... On the big intake tubes I used Tamiya Bright Silver spray and over coated that with the Tamiya "Semi-gloss Silver Anodized Aluminum". The seemi gloss is like a clear coat and durable to the touch. Unusual motor!! Looks like a v-12 with an old school 6-71, dual mags. LSR Bonneville car or dragster? Don
Big John Posted February 28 Posted February 28 (edited) My fantasy take on a Lincoln flat head with Ardun heads and a 6/71 Potvin setup. 1/8 scale. May someday power a Bonneville streamliner. No not really chrome but a nice polished aluminum look, and durable. It looks like the Revell chrome is the best bet. Edited February 28 by Big John photo 3 1
dmthamade Posted February 28 Author Posted February 28 I see the Ardun parts now. Is the green one behind it yours too? Can see the flathead parts at the front. Did see the Revell Chrome spray at the hobby shop last visit...$36.00 or $38.00 IIRC...put it back...have to think about that buy. Don
Big John Posted February 28 Posted February 28 Ouch! Had no idea the prices were that extreme. Yes, the V12 in back was my first concept with injectors, second really after 5 Strmberg 97s, all scratch built around a Monogram Ford Flathead block. 1
StevenGuthmiller Posted March 8 Posted March 8 On 2/26/2025 at 4:26 PM, peteski said: That looks very realistic for plastic representing aluminum parts, but I would never use that for depicting chrome. I also believe that model chrome should be as bright and reflective as it is on 1:1 vehicles. The "muted" or dull chrome some modelers use and prefer looks too dull to me. I agree 100%. I'm always amused when I see people trying to promote the idea that somehow "chrome" paint or ink looks more like chrome than actual chrome, (vacuum metalized on plastic of course) Never got that one. Steve
Bucky Posted March 8 Posted March 8 Back in my pipefittin' days, I worked with a LOT of stainless steel pipe, and the roll cage pictured above reminds me of the look of stainless pipe.
Jim Dodson Posted March 8 Posted March 8 57 minutes ago, StevenGuthmiller said: And then there's this. Steve Steve, how were these chrome pieces done? Sprayed or chromed? If chromed, who offers this service since Chrometech stopped operating They look excellent! 1
Can-Con Posted March 8 Posted March 8 5 minutes ago, Jim Dodson said: Steve, how were these chrome pieces done? Sprayed or chromed? If chromed, who offers this service since Chrometech stopped operating They look excellent! Not the same Steve, but, Spotlight Hobbies now offers a plating service. IIRC, a rack like in Steve's pic above would be $35 plus shipping. That is about what I paid the last few times I sent racks to LMKC for plating. IIRC, Steve uses Kustom Khrome. Not sure if they're still in business but I'd imagine Steve will fill us in about that.
Jim Dodson Posted March 8 Posted March 8 Thanks for the info, I have multiple very old/decrepit annuals with very degraded chrome parts needing redone before the projects can progress.
DJMar Posted March 8 Posted March 8 1 hour ago, Jim Dodson said: Steve, how were these chrome pieces done? Sprayed or chromed? If chromed, who offers this service since Chrometech stopped operating They look excellent! I'm pretty sure Spotlight Hobbies is the place. https://www.spotlighthobbies.com/chrome-plating-service/
StevenGuthmiller Posted March 8 Posted March 8 2 hours ago, Can-Con said: Not the same Steve, but, Spotlight Hobbies now offers a plating service. IIRC, a rack like in Steve's pic above would be $35 plus shipping. That is about what I paid the last few times I sent racks to LMKC for plating. IIRC, Steve uses Kustom Khrome. Not sure if they're still in business but I'd imagine Steve will fill us in about that. Actually, the photo I posted was from the Spotlight Hobbies website. Kustom Khrome ceased operation some time ago if I'm not mistaken. Steve
Can-Con Posted March 8 Posted March 8 1 hour ago, StevenGuthmiller said: Actually, the photo I posted was from the Spotlight Hobbies website. Kustom Khrome ceased operation some time ago if I'm not mistaken. Steve LOL, I was kinda wondering why you were having 4 Javelin front bumpers plated. 😉
StevenGuthmiller Posted March 8 Posted March 8 1 hour ago, Can-Con said: LOL, I was kinda wondering why you were having 4 Javelin front bumpers plated. 😉 I don’t even have one Javelin! Although I wouldn’t mind having one. 😊 Steve 1
Big John Posted March 9 Posted March 9 So, what was the cost of having the parts custom plated as apposed to $35 a can for Revell spray?
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