Aluminum ...............

[Umlaufmotor]

In the early years of aviation not too much emphasis was placed on camouflage.
The fabric was brushed with clear coat and the sheet metal parts were untreated.
Significantly more color came into play in the later years, - think of Richthofen's flying circus.

The metal parts were also painted in the later years, of course.

Well, here I want to show a way, how easy it is to represent unpainted aluminum.
In this case, I use the products of Mr. Metal Color.

First, the plastic surface is always primed with Mr. Metal Color Primer.

This is very important for the polish colors to provide an adhesive surface.

 

I use for presentation the aluminum the colors No. 218 "aluminum", No. 212 "Iron" and No. 213 "Stainless".

The mixing ratio is approximately 70-75% Mr. Color Thinner and 30-25% No. 218 aluminum.

 

We also need an old short-haired brush. However, the brush hair must be soft.

After the "aluminum" color has been applied with an airbrush, we need about 5 minutes to allow the paint dries.

 

Now our short-haired brush comes into play.
At irregular spots "Iron" is dabbed. Rub the brush previously somewhat on a paper, the color should not spotted too heavily.
Let the dots dry for a while.

 

 

Now, the color is polished with a brush.

The brush is placed on the surface. With gentle pressure!! and a rotating movement!!we polished the surface.

 

 

Here the same work on the Pfalz wing - radiator

 

 

Now the interesting part of the story: The longer polished the color at one point , the older affects the surface.
So, that means you want a "new" finish - you have less polish . Would you like an old surface, which acts weathered and scratched , you have to polish longer.
Here the engine cowling and the wing radiator from the WNW Pfalz D.IIIa .

 

These aluminum parts are significantly different from the aluminum seat from the Fokker V.4.

 

Exactly the same groundwork as on the Pfalz-parts....................

 

Let them also, the Pfalz had a hard life,

 

 

-- and on the other hand, the seat of the Fokker, is brand new.

 

 

NOTE!! The difference new-old, is performed only in the type of polishing!!

 

 

Here the "new" aluminum parts of the Hansa Brandenburg W.29

I have added the color No. 213 "stainless ".

That was just a test (the cowling parts are later over painted with light gray), but also looks pretty good in my eyes. Notice the reflections on the surface under different lighting conditions.

 

 

 

For comparison, the wing radiator from the WNW Albatros D.V.

Here was only painted with Tamiya "aluminum" and aged with gray pastel powder. Later, something washing with dark brown oil paint.

 

First the Albatros radiator...............

 

 

and here the Pfalz radiator.

Typ of aging and weatherig are the same on both radiators.

 

 

Decide for yourself which aluminum effect looks better.

 

The polished surface must be sealed with glossy varnish (ca. 30-35% Mr. Metal Primer and 65-70% Mr.Thinner).
The color can then no longer rub off when touched.
Through the gloss varnish the surface appears like real metal .

If you sealed with matt varnish, you destroyed the metal effect, the colors are matt and dull and the surface does not look like aluminum.

 

Try it!

The aluminum effect looks very convincing in my eyes, -- it's easy to do and it's not to much work.

 

Servus

Bertl

[Matt_]

Excellent tutorial again Bertl...

 

Matt

[JeroenPeters]

Wow... you know what? I'm going to wait building WnW kits until you have posted all your tips and tricks. Then I'll commence. Not sooner.

Thnx!

[swapilot]

Outstanding tutorial.  You make it look so easy.

[nmayhew]

Wonderful tutorial!

[rieser]

Hello Bertyl.  Very skillful - and very generous.  Many thanks.  Ralph.

[James H]

This is amazing! Thanks for sharing Bertl. I might try this pretty soon.

[BoMonroe]

Awesome x Awesome.