Alcad lacquer paints

[Paul Kernan]

I used these lacquers for the first time yesterday (Diorama Studio Polish Winged Hussar and Verlinden Legionnaire busts) and did not attain the finish I was looking for. Applies lighter than it appears in the bottle and with more of a grainer finish than I had anticipated.

Hope someone out there who has used them before can offer some advice. Can the finish be buffed? To darken the finish can a product such as Tamiya Smoke or GZ (lacquer?) Smoke be used? Or what about oil washes? Or do I have to strip the %&#* thing and start again

Thanks
Paul

 

[alexwencho]

Mr. Paul,

check out the motor on my 1/9th Zundapp moltorcycle. it was painted with Alcad chrome.
the trick is to used a black undercoat. Gloss black will give the Alcad a shinny chrome finish while flat black will yeild an alum. or silver finish.
good luck, bubba.

awd

 

[ghamilt1]

Paul;

I agree with Alex's suggestion. Alcad paints, like any other natural metal finish, require a mirror like smooth surface to avoid the grainy effect you desribed. I applied Alcad to a figure I did, but made sure I polished the surface before I applied the paint. The use of a gloss undercoat would work. The colour I used was "steel" and it looked dark enough, but I added some Artist's oil paint for shadows once it was dry. As for what you do now? I don't really know, but you may have to strip the *&^%$ thing and start over.

 

[Paul Kernan]

Alex and Glenn:

Thanks for the input. I went ahead and attempted a wash of Tamiya Smoke on the Verlinden Legionnaire with an acceptable effect. I shaded with oils (lamp Black and Sepia) and will highlight with Printers ink.

As for the Hussar, I may have to strip the %$**@# thing

Cheers

Paul