Intmd8r Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Just wondering if anyone has tried this product: http://ak-interactive.com/v2/?orderby=price&product_cat=true-metal "can be applied by brush, with the fingertip, or with a cotton swab. Once dried, it can be polished to achieve a metallic finish." If so, how does it compare to other "true metal" products out there. No doubt Alclad 2 has great results and a strong following in our model community, but I was looking at other alternatives available. Especially since my paint booth/air brush are down right now I might be able to justify the cost if its easy to use, little clean up, and provides decent results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 I think this is similar to Rub-N-Buff, which modelers have been using with various and mixed results for more than 40 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intmd8r Posted January 13, 2015 Author Share Posted January 13, 2015 I'll look into this-never heard it Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrGlueblob Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Rub n'Buff, the old standby. Comes in different colors, still available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Joseph Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 There is also this stuff from USCHI that is supposed to work really well: http://www.uschivdr.com/products-in-detail/polishing-powders-metallic-pigments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Chernecki Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 (edited) There is also this stuff from USCHI that is supposed to work really well:http://www.uschivdr.com/products-in-detail/polishing-powders-metallic-pigments I have some of this, along with kosutte ginsan. They are pretty much the same thing. Edited January 14, 2015 by Mike Chernecki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Yep, wax based metalizer, very similar (so I've read) to Rub 'n Buff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intmd8r Posted January 19, 2015 Author Share Posted January 19, 2015 (edited) OK - so did some research and here's what I found: Rub-N-Buff does not seem to be sold by anyone that I'm aware of in my area so I'm writing this off. Michael's (USA) seems to stock this product, but not the Canadian affiliate. Strange, but not surprising. USCHI products look to be a pretty interesting product, but again, not stocked in my area. S&H is prohibitive. Other wax based metalizers - again, doesn't look like anyone around here has heard of such a product, let alone sell it. Another observation is that all of the above products seem to be offered in two main colors - Chrome and gold like finish. What is appealing (to me) about the AK-interactive line is that it is offered in multiple finishes such as dark aluminum, Iron, copper, as well as the traditional. If you order from AK-interactive directly, S&H is prohibitive as they are located in Europe. However, I did find a Canadian retailer that offers this product line at a more "reasonable" price. Guess I'll have to save up and review the products myself. Stay tuned Edited January 19, 2015 by Intmd8r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrGlueblob Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Amazon sells Rub N Buff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twokidsnosleep Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 (edited) Just wondering if anyone has tried this product: http://ak-interactive.com/v2/?orderby=price&product_cat=true-metal "can be applied by brush, with the fingertip, or with a cotton swab. Once dried, it can be polished to achieve a metallic finish." If so, how does it compare to other "true metal" products out there. No doubt Alclad 2 has great results and a strong following in our model community, but I was looking at other alternatives available. Especially since my paint booth/air brush are down right now I might be able to justify the cost if its easy to use, little clean up, and provides decent results. I have some and like it, going to do a test on some primed plastic cutlery soon and will do some photos Edited April 26, 2015 by Twokidsnosleep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Barrow Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 I have some AK True Metal, it's awesome stuff, it's like Rub n' Buff but it actually dries and hardens and doesn't keep wiping off on your fingers. I've been using it over Alclad base coats to give them a more realistic look. It's transparent and will let the base color show through. You can put it on with a brush or q-tip or even your finger and you buff it up to give it a shine. You can even thin it down with thinner and turn it into a paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twokidsnosleep Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 (edited) I have some AK True Metal, it's awesome stuff, it's like Rub n' Buff but it actually dries and hardens and doesn't keep wiping off on your fingers. I've been using it over Alclad base coats to give them a more realistic look. It's transparent and will let the base color show through. You can put it on with a brush or q-tip or even your finger and you buff it up to give it a shine. You can even thin it down with thinner and turn it into a paint. I found that my True Metal Aluminum kept rubbing off on me As I polished, it stripped down through the primer.....hand polish even I wasn't super impressed, but maybe I did something stupid with it??? Three coats over primer After polishing and the control no polish area I love the way it paints and handles, but the rub off and lack of shine don't really justify it. Tamiya flat aluminum looks almost identical If I did something wrong, love to hear it, but this is what it did in my hands Edited May 7, 2015 by Twokidsnosleep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Barrow Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 As I said, I used it over Alclad on some natural metal airplanes I'm working on. I guess it works differently as the base coat. Front half of this wing has been done with the True Metal over both Alclad and AK's new Xtreme Metal. The Xtreme Metal works great too, it's really shiny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twokidsnosleep Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 (edited) Yours looks great!! Hmm, maybe I will try it with the Alcald base...like the gloss black??? How long do you wait before polishing??? My tests were over Tamiya fine white and grey primers I have Alclad gloss black, Aclad white primer and Alclad grey primer as well to try out Edited May 7, 2015 by Twokidsnosleep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Barrow Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 I used Alclad aluminum under it. I think you need a metallic color under it as the True metal is very transparent. I just glopped it on with a brush right out of the tube and then with my bare finger started polishing it right away, rubbing until I feel the heat from friction in my finger. I think it's meant more for "punching up" other metallic finishes than to be used as a finish all on its own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twokidsnosleep Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 Ahah, I will give that a try as well I did try it on the Tamiya flat aluminum of my F40 engine exhaust....meh, didn't shine up and looked a bit gloppy in the end Maybe I am just all sausage fingers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fseva Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 Front half of this wing has been done with the True Metal over both Alclad and AK's new Xtreme Metal. The Xtreme Metal works great too... What is the base for Xtreme Metal? Lacquer, enamel? BTW, it is available at HobbyLinc in the USA, but it is kind of expensive - $9.56 for 30ml (1.01oz). However, if it can resist handling, I would try it. How would you say it is with handling? Is it easy to damage just with your skin oils? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Barrow Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 AK says they're enamel, but they smell like alcohol. The regular aluminum I tried resists handling very well, but so far it's the only one I've tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 So if we wanted to try the "bare steel" look on a model body, this would be the way to do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Barrow Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Yeah, I'd paint it a darker shade, like Alclad Steel, and then rub one of the True Metal shades, like their Steel or Dark Aluminum, that's just a bit lighter than the base color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fseva Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 AK says they're enamel, but they smell like alcohol. The regular aluminum I tried resists handling very well, but so far it's the only one I've tried. Brett, did you buy their thinner? If so, can you tell what it is - alcohol, or something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wngan Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Yeah, I'd paint it a darker shade, like Alclad Steel, and then rub one of the True Metal shades, like their Steel or Dark Aluminum, that's just a bit lighter than the base color.what kind of thinner you use? Acrylic thinner? Enamel thinner? please advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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