How to emulate aluminum dope (on canvas)

[EirikB]

Hello all.

Well, it is all coming togehter now. A few weeks ago I decided to take up scale modelling after a (way too) long break. As I mentioned in the introduction I will step it up a notch or two. Airbrushing and weathering are techniques I am about to try. Or I have tried my new airbrush setup and I loved it. I purchased a few of the AK Xtreme Metal paints, and my newbie results are quite good

To my question.
I am starting on a (Norwegian) 1/48 Gloster Gladiator Mk. I. The Gladiator was all canvas and the Norwegian version was with aluminum dope. I havent seen the finish in real life but I imagine that the aluminum dope surface is somewhat different from aluminum panels?

How do I emulate the canvas "feeling" in my metallic paintjob?

[Twokidsnosleep]

Hmm, I think I have an idea for you
Texture is the answer I believe

I have used the waxy Ak True Metal paints to give a grained or milled aluminum look. They brush paint extremely easily and well.
A quite similar effect could be attained using an oil paint as you can give it texture..not sure W/N make a silver

The internals of this plane here were brushed with the AK True Metal Aluminum. Best done in one direction to give pattern and then sealed with a clear or else the stuff rubs off on your fingers. Some people hate the true metals, but I really like how they handle, cover and smell.

[Stokesy44]

You could try using a sanding stick on the canvas surfaces just to give them a slight texture as opposed to a metal skin smoothness. Doped linen has zero shine so while you can use a silver colour, a surface with just a little texture on it will give you that flat painted canvas look.