SPA Modeler

Hey guys,

What's a good line of metallic paints that can be applied with a brush? My measuring bar would be the old Testors (or Model Master) Chrome Silver enamel which is no longer in production. It's great for detail painting as it applies well with a brush and has no grain. It would be nice to get some other colors too like brass, copper, gold, etc. The less grain the better!

The square bottle 1/4 oz Testors enamels are still in production. In those I’d recommend Silver, Gold, and Copper. Their Brass is way too grainy.
Humbrol Silver is also nice and extremely smooth, but not so shiny bright as their Testors Chrome Silver.

If your just doing small detail painting and not huge area of coverage then I like to use Vallejo for all hand brushing they got some nice metallic colors.

Stikpusher wrote:The square bottle 1/4 oz Testors enamels are still in production. In those I’d recommend Silver, Gold, and Copper. Their Brass is way too grainy.
Humbrol Silver is also nice and extremely smooth, but not so shiny bright as their Testors Chrome Silver.

Carlos... do you know if the current Testors Silver enamel (labelled as Metallic Silver) is equivalent to the Testors Model Master Chrome Silver?





Way back in the day, I used to use Testors Silver in that square bottle. I started using MM Chrome Silver when I re-entered the hobby and it seemed like it was that same old Testors Silver. I was hoping that the current Testors Metallic Silver is the same formula but wasn't sure. If so, I'll pick up the Silver Gold and Copper as recommended.

Floki wrote:If your just doing small detail painting and not huge area of coverage then I like to use Vallejo for all hand brushing they got some nice metallic colors.

Thanks Clint! I'll save this as an option if the Testors metal colors don't work out for me.

Floki wrote:If your just doing small detail painting and not huge area of coverage then I like to use Vallejo for all hand brushing they got some nice metallic colors.

I couldn't get the Vallejo Metal Colors to brush paint at all. It kept leaving streaks everywhere.

John, I can’t say if the Testors square bottle silver is the same as Model Master Chrome Silver, as I’ve never used the Model Master paint. I’ve had several of the small bottles for many years and never needed to use the Model Master stuff. All I can say is give it a try, experiment on something non important (aka a paint mule), and worst case if it doesn’t turn out, you’re out $2.

John I've been using the Vallejo Metal Color acrylics. They're really nice to brush and airbrush.

I have a bottle of Model Master Chrome Silver as well. Not much left but still good. Eventually, I'll have to find a replacement brand for Chrome Silver myself. Take a look in Scalehobbyist:

Humbrol Metallic Chrome Silver

https://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagorie ... &e=0&co=12


Tamiya Mini Chrome Silver

https://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagorie ... &e=0&co=12


Mr. Metal Color Chrome Silver

https://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagorie ... &e=0&co=12


Super Metallic 2 Chrome Silver (Gunze/Mr. Color)

https://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagorie ... &e=0&co=12

Citadel has some great metallics, I use them quite often.