Reflective Surface

[Larry R]

I am about to start a Carabinier. As thier cuirass (SP) was reflective I'd like to replicate that as much as possible....any ideas?

 

[John Long]

Is it a metal figure, or resin?

 

[pkess]

I would use GS Mr. Metal Iron or Stainless Steel. Shade with oils: Sepia, Lamp Black. You can even add rust: raw umber for old rust spots and Burnt Sienna or Mars Red for new rust.

 

[garyjd]

Larry, You may want to even try some Future Floor Wax. You can cut down on the level of shine by watering it down so you do not end up with more of a glass-like finish.~Gary

 

[pkess]

Sorry Larry. I didn't read your post correctly. I gave you ideas for a Cuirassier vice a Carabinier. For a Carabinier Officer I would use GS Mr Metal Copper. For troopers, you can polish the metal and then use a coat of Tamiya clear yellow. If it is resin, you can paint with Rich Gold Printers Ink followed by the Tamiya clear yellow. After that is dry, you can shade with oils: Burnt Umber, Sepia, etc.

 

[Larry R]

Thanks guys, it is a resin figure. I am going to do some major conversion work on a 120mm. Not my favorite scale but! I was thinking of going with the printers ink, not sure I could get the reflectivity I was looking for however. I was looking at this link
http://fusiliers.com/item_cartrooperv18.html
Nothing like being camouflaged eh?

 

[KeithP]

The concern that I would have with using printers ink is the possibility of bruch marks if you don't get it in one stroke. This is often my problem

I have had alot of success with GS Mr metal. You can really get a shine off that stuff over resin. I have also used the GS Clear yellow over gold printers ink. That too gives a nice effect. Seems to me I saw that in an article in HM from pkess

Keith

 

[pkess]

Larry,
If the kit is resin, you can paint it with GS Mr. Metal Stainless Steel. Then paint the Tamiya or GS clear yellow over the GS. Since the clear yellows are acrylic they won't "lift" the GS metal because it is lacquer based. I have used this technique before, albeit on a 54mm, but I was pleased with the results. You can then shade the acrylic with oils, once again not having to worry about lifting because of the difference in medium. Let us know what you try.

 

[Larry R]

THanks Phil, I will let you know what I use...more than likely will test a couple techniques before I go with the final. Thanks again guys.

Larry