KNOW YOUR STUFF
METALLIC MAGIC
Q Can you recommend a good range of metallic paints for adding realistic detail to steam locomotive whistles, valves and so forth? I’ve tried the popular brands of enamels from model shops, but they need several coats and are difficult to mix before use.
Brian Sharp, by email
George says: I’m frequently asked about metallic paints and there is certainly plenty of choice out there. Some brands and formulas are excellent for some tasks but not for others. For example, the types of paint you mention are usually great when applied over larger surfaces, preferably using an airbrush. However, as you say, they often need several coats to build up a fully opaque finish, which is no good for small, detail work. Indeed, when applying over dark base colours, such as black, we need a paint with a dense pigment to avoid the need for multiple coats.