Alclad testing.

[Dr Dave]

The first test is done on a flat sheet of styrene with primer applied and the base coats airbrushed in horizontal strips. I then airbrushed the 3 Alclad colours in vertical strips across the base coats. The order they appear in the photos is- from left: Polished Brass, Stainless Steel, and Chrome, and next to that I applied the MGM chrome powder.

The Polished Brass showed no difference between the black and white base coats. The finish didn’t look too polished to me so I gave it a little rub on the bottom section of both panels which didn’t shine it up at all, but only started to remove the paint. The stainless steel also showed no variation between the black and white base coats. As for the Alclad chrome, well I'm not sure if it's my imagination or not, but it may be just a tiny bit brighter on the white base. A piece of BMF Gold is on the edge of the Brass and a piece of BMF Chrome is between the Alclad Chrome and the MGM.

Now, this MGM Super Magic Powder is something I’d never heard of until I stumbled across it one day while looking for something else. I’ve since found out that there are a few different versions of this type of product. Some of you may have seen them before. It’s a black or very dark grey powder that’s extremely fine and you apply it by putting a very small amount on a cotton bud and rubbing it onto a gloss black base. It turns into the best looking chrome I’ve seen besides electroplating. It’s kind of a dark chrome. When applied over the white base it gave a dirty stained appearance when viewed front on but when viewed across the surface it had a shiny look to it, a bit like looking across a lake.

Warning: this stuff can be very messy, so please be ultra careful not to get it on anything else.

[Dr Dave]

The next test I did was ‘the spoon test’. The results look better on a curved surface than a flat surface but it’s good to have both to compare. I wiped the plastic spoons with a clean cloth and sprayed them with primer . After drying in the sun I airbrushed them with Tamiya gloss black enamel only, and dried them in the sun again.

[Dr Dave]

With a disappointing result from the Brass on the flat test, I decided to try a bit of Alclad II Chrome on one end of the spoon to see if I could get a better result. I airbrushed the Brass onto the black base as normal but only 2 very light mists over the Chrome. This gave a much brighter look. I guess here you can play around a bit to get various looks and finishes to suit your particular needs, and I don’t think there are set rules on how it has to be used, just use your imagination (but always test first).

[Dr Dave]

The Stainless Steel turned out quite good, nice and bright but not too reflective. The good old Alclad II Chrome is up there with the other top paints. It never was as good as I had hoped for, but it was the best I could find at the time until I found this MGM chrome powder. A spec of this stuff goes a very long way.

[Dr Dave]

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[Dr Dave]

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[Dr Dave]

In conclusion, there seems to be no end to what can be done with metal colours, and no strict rules that you must follow. By using different base coats and applying light or heavy top coats you can change the appearance. Mixing colours also gives unlimited variations, but be careful, not all paints will mix together successfully. The most important thing I’ve found is to test, test, test before painting your model with a new product or technique you haven’t tried before. After you have done a bunch of tests you will have your own colour chart to refer to when you want to apply metal colours, and this will be much more accurate than these photos.

If anyone wishes to add to this, please feel free to do so. And if anyone has any questions, please ask away.

Happy modeling to all,
Dave.

[strevo]

Thanks Dave! This kind of comparison is hard to find out there. That MGM powder looks fantastic!

[Ton]

Am I right that MGM powder is the easiest process but darker than the other ones ? (it looks almost black)

[Egon]

Question: this MGM powder do you put it on while the black is wet or dry, and do it need to be sealed with clear varnish. Have you tryed it on white or silver basecoat, maby to a brighter finish.
I have seen (I think it was in West Coast Custom) a roof painted like a mirror, first black then the chrome, it was very expencive they say.

[Dr Dave]

Thanks Dave! This kind of comparison is hard to find out there. That MGM powder looks fantastic!

Your welcome Steve. I've only found a few demo's like this on the internet and a couple of them only by accident. I think the MGM powder is great, and smaller parts come up absolutely beautiful.

Dave

[Dr Dave]

Am I right that MGM powder is the easiest process but darker than the other ones ? (it looks almost black)

Yes Ton, you are right. It's very easy to apply, just rub the powder on with a cotton bud, but it can be messy. If the powder gets on anything else, it won't come off. And yes it is a dark chrome which is quite noticeable when placed next to other chromes but it's incredibly shiny and reflective. I'm very pleased with my $10 investment and can't wait to use it again.

Dave.

[Dr Dave]

Question: this MGM powder do you put it on while the black is wet or dry, and do it need to be sealed with clear varnish. Have you tryed it on white or silver basecoat, maby to a brighter finish.
I have seen (I think it was in West Coast Custom) a roof painted like a mirror, first black then the chrome, it was very expencive they say.

Egon, the black base has to be dry and hard. Rubbing the powder on with a cotton bud is like polishing the black, and it just turns to chrome as you keep rubbing. Once the area is fully covered by the powder and it has reached its maximum affect, you can't make it shine any more by continuing to rub more.

I have not tried any clear over it. I tried it on gloss white base coat . You will see in the photos of the flat test how it only discolored the white. I've just tried rubbing some powder on the Alclad Chrome spoon and it has discolored and dulled it a little. Seems that it will only work on a gloss black base.

I've also seen something that they put on cars, but rather than spray it on like paint, they were hosing the stuff on like washing the car. First a prep wash, then a base coat , then the last one was like hosing liquid chrome on. And very expensive

Dave.

[Ton]

well, I ordered a jar I read somewhere that you have to give a last finish with blue pearl ...does it say anything to you?