JulianJ Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 Dear all, I'm building a foam model & would like to paint it silver to give it an 'aluminium' look. Could anyone recommend a suitable paint, preferably applicable by brush & water based? Has anyone tried 'rust-oleum metallic from B&Q? Thanks in advance, Kind regards Julian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 Hi JulianJ what type of foam is it ? If it's styrofoam foam then water based car base coat is ideal and gives a great finish on any type of foam. It doesnt brush very well and needs to be sprayed for best results. Finish off with a coat of ronseal water based varnish sprayed on . If it's Elapor or EPP type foam then solvent based car base coat is excellent , but do test a small scrap first. It can be bought in aerosols from any car paint supplier. Yes you will need to use an aerosol or some spray equipment . The water based brushing varieties I've used like artist acrylic are not that good IMO . Humbrol silver brushes well on smaller areas and dries to a bright silver and s pretty durable but not sure about use on large surfaces. Be careful if you brush paint on as it's very easy to add weight to get a good covering/ finish and paint is heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 As ED says, weight is your enemy I completely ruined the flying characteristics of a brand new model with paint, and it was sprayed on When I respray again, I intend to mist the colour on, and test fly, one coat at a time. Lads successfully respray and brush foam all the time, but the heavyweight I produced, was my first respray on foam Edited By Denis Watkins on 02/05/2019 09:53:25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulianJ Posted May 2, 2019 Author Share Posted May 2, 2019 Thank you for your replies, The model is made from EPO foam. I'll take on board your comments regarding weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan p Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 Try the Vallejo Range of acrylic spray paint for plastic models, good coverage for little weight. A small bottle goes a long way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 As Dennis and Alan point out weight soon builds up even if sprayed and some paints are heavier than others . Try to source some paint that has good coverage as different paints vary considerably and some modern paints are abysmally see through . Silver should cover quite well if over a light colour . If sprayed a light even coat will look better than a thin brushed coat. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulianJ Posted May 2, 2019 Author Share Posted May 2, 2019 Thank you all for your replies, The finished model should have around 80w per pound power to weight ratio so the weight of the paint is not ultra critical. I do however appreciate the advice, a pot of paint feels quite heavy in aero-modelling terms when you pick it up! I will go easy on the coats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Berriman Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 Hi Julian Not sure if the silver paint will have any effect on your radio system I have read metallic coverings have effect on radio systems. Better do a longer range checks than advised just my thoughs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 I've not tried the silver, but other colours in the RC Styro Colours range are excellent on EPO, as the red on my TwinStar testifies. They are acrylic (water) based and as the name suggests specifically formulated for this purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trebor Posted May 3, 2019 Share Posted May 3, 2019 Posted by JulianJ on 02/05/2019 09:10:36: Has anyone tried 'rust-oleum metallic from B&Q? Julian I've used those fluorescent green and yellow. Three thin scrubbed on coats with a brush could have got away with two coats, brush cleaned off with water. Dries very quick but spreads on nice so no brush marks, not sure about the metallic though. Edited By trebor on 03/05/2019 06:44:23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted May 3, 2019 Share Posted May 3, 2019 Ypou might be interested in Humbrol Metalcote enamels. These are metalic and cover well. The best bit is that once they have dried you polish them with a cloth and they come up like bare metal. I used the steel on torpedos on my PT boat. The paint dried very quickly, covered well and a quick rub over with an ordinary cloth made them look just like steel. The also do bare aluminium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulianJ Posted May 7, 2019 Author Share Posted May 7, 2019 Thank you all for your replies and advice. I will try the 'rust-oleum' on the foam, and the Humbrol Metalcote on the plastic parts. I'm looking forward to the results! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted May 7, 2019 Share Posted May 7, 2019 I bought a tub of "beverly hills" silver emulsion paint from B and Q to do the Hawker Fury. it needs thinning down by about 25% with water to get it to flow nicely. got enough left for half a dozen more models. he he he . Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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