Hand Painting a metallic finish

[fr0sty]

Hi

I'm new to both scale modelling and this forum, (this is my second post after my brief introduction). I've jumped straight in and got hold of a few model kits that were cheap and an F1 model, as it's these that really interest me

Airfix 1:24 Spitfire Mk vb - Not the model type that I will normally be going for but it was purchased for a fraction of the normal price and will be used as a test kit
Revell 1:24 Ferrari Enzo - I was given this, and cars is the area I will build most I think
Revell 1:87 Big Boy Locomotive - purchased for nearly no money so why not

and the one I really want to get right

Fujimi 1:20 McLaren MP4/27

I've been putting a tool kit together and a few paints for the Revell/Airfix models above. However, attempting to translate the Fujimi instructions and work out the paints it seems that I may need to use some sort of paint like the Alclad metals or Mr Color Super Metallics. From a quick scan of the web it seems these paints can only be airbrushed and, if possible, I would like to avoid the £200+ outlay for the brush/compressor, (never mind spray booth etc), straight away, especially if I don't take to it.

Is it possible to get a decent high metallic finish that is required for the McLaren F1 car by hand brushing and if so what paints/brushes would be ideal for this?

Thanks for your help and I look forward to joining in with the forum as much as possible as I start building and hopefully develop my skills

[Paul]

Your best bet would be to use the tamiya ts sprays to achieve the metal look, it'll give a much better finish than brush painting.

btw you could set your self up with a decent compressor and airbrush for less than £130

[fr0sty]

Thanks Paul. I've started talking to Paul @ Little-cars about airbrush options.

This is the finish I need to achieve so any thoughts on how to go about it without an airbrush are appreciated. Tamiya do a few different silvers in the spray cans so I will try and find a stockist near me to get a better look at the colours

http://www.formula1news.info/wp-content ... ncio-2.jpg

It's not going to be the first model I build as that will be the 1:24 Airfix spitfire so I have time to try and get the right option sorted

[Panzermeister36]

Daaayyyum that's a nice looking car. I don't know if you can get that much shine from brush painting alone, but bare-metal foil would be perfect for that. However BMF is not the easiest thing in the world...

[Paul]

Looks like a gunmetal type colour to me

[fr0sty]

So it looks like I've found the right paint thanks to the ISM Paint Guide videos! Hiroboy do a McLaren paint set to reproduce the finish required

http://www.hiroboy.com/catalog/product_ ... ts_id=2054

As I've said, I've been speaking to Paul at Little Cars and agreed to meet him at the Cosford show to talk about a more robust set up when I will have the funds, so I guess my question is - Is there any point buying a "cheap" i.e £100(ish) or under airbrush/compressor to make do until later in the year once I know the hobby is for me and am ready to invest a more suitable amount of money? I've seen a few things on ebay and eModels around that price.
http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/e ... 25539.html
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AS-186-Comple ... 2eb4bff640
http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/s ... 30991.html

What I'm now thinking is, if I have to go airbrush anyway,y then practicing on the Spitfire/Big Boy before I get set up to complete the F1 masterpiece is probably prudent
Given that I was about to go out next week and spend around £40 or so on decent brushes, it's not that far a leap to these cheap kits.

I've also seen a few articles on making a spray booth for a lot less than it costs to buy a decent one so I will probably go down that route again until I am sure I'm ready to get a more "pro" set up when the funds are available later in the year.

As always your help is appreciated - now back to the ISM You Tube channel

[Paul]

That as186 is a compressor a lot of people use and its a good bit of kit, i only sold mine as i got a paasche one for free. A neo iwata airbus will cost you about £45 and again will do most job fine and is much better quality than the cheaper ab od ebay and the like.

As you say later on if you find yor hooked to the hobby then, upgrade your gear.