The end of Alclad 2

[colin m]

Alclad, some love it, some hate it, I love it. Unfortunately, it seems it will soon be unavailable 'as we know it'
It seems Alclad split into a UK and USA operation. So, if you're in the USA, don't worry, it's business as usual. In the UK, Alclad became HR hobbies but Alclad (USA) weren't happy as the two ranges were too similar. So in the end, the UK paint is now distributed by Mig, after slapping a nice little premium on the price !

So, do I take the price hike on the chin, or do you use something else ? Tell me people, what metal paints do you use. But I'm fussy, it needs to be as good as Alclad, and I'm not sure an acrylic can do that, or am I wrong ?

 

[BarryW]

Forget water based acrylic and stick to lacquer based. MRP are the best available and are very similar to Alclad with a huge colour range including some of excellent metalisers.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Vallejo metal colour* is excellent. The silvers are as good as anything around when brushed. Not sprayed them myself, I’m still using up Alclad stocks on the odd time I need to use sprayed metallic paint, but have seen great results from others. One caveat though, the gold and copper colours are just not in the same league as the silvers. Best brushed golds and coppers are found in the Darkstar range.

*note, this is NOT model air, it’s a completely different range…..

 

[langy71]

Forget water based acrylic and stick to lacquer based. MRP are the best available and are very similar to Alclad with a huge colour range including some of excellent metalisers.

I keep meaning to give lacquer based paints a try, the local hobby shop has the full range of Tamiya Lacquers,

 

[Mark1]

Keep telling myself ill stick to water base cos of the smell with laquers but then use half a tamiya rattle can of primer which stinks!!

 

[langy71]

Keep telling myself ill stick to water base cos of the smell with laquers but then use half a tamiya rattle can of primer which stinks!!

You and me both..

 

[Komedy]

Forget water based acrylic and stick to lacquer based. MRP are the best available and are very similar to Alclad with a huge colour range including some of excellent metalisers.

There is a new kid on the block - S.M.S - now available in the UK and at least as good as MRP if not better



This is the stuff

 

[Ian M]

I am trying Vallejo model air metalics, not totally alclad quality but pretty good.

 

[adt70hk]

Can only echo what Tim has said. Used the Vallejo metal colour on the undercarriage of my recent Mossie..... Simply beautiful....

I know others on here rate it too.

ATB.

Andrew

 

[outrunner]

I also use Vallejo Metal Colour silver and I like it.

Andy.

 

[colin m]

Forget water based acrylic and stick to lacquer based. MRP are the best available and are very similar to Alclad with a huge colour range including some of excellent metalisers.

Barry, you persuaded me to change to MRP sometime ago and so was thinking about using their metallic's instead of Alclad.

Vallejo metal colour* is excellent. The silvers are as good as anything around when brushed. Not sprayed them myself, I’m still using up Alclad stocks on the odd time I need to use sprayed metallic paint, but have seen great results from others. One caveat though, the gold and copper colours are just not in the same league as the silvers. Best brushed golds and coppers are found in the Darkstar range.

*note, this is NOT model air, it’s a completely different range…..

Tim, so you have used both - a great position to be in for a comparison - so which is better ?

I keep meaning to give lacquer based paints a try

I like them a lot. So many good reasons for using them.

Keep telling myself ill stick to water base cos of the smell with laquers

It depends where you do your work. I'm lucky to have an unused bedroom, but also using an extractor and mask.

There is a new kid on the block - S.M.S - now available in the UK and at least as good as MRP if not better

Interesting. Have you used this brand ? I'll have to have a look at these.

I am trying Vallejo model air metalics, not totally alclad quality but pretty good

I've used model air in the past, good, but as you say, not Alclad level.

Used the Vallejo metal colour on the undercarriage of my recent Mossie..... Simply beautiful....

Good to read, is it water based ?

Vallejo Metal Colour silver and I like it.

Another vote for metal colour - thank you.


Thank you everyone for your replies. Lots of reading to be done now, and the Christmas credit card bill has just been paid off, so spending can resume.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Colin
Yes, I’ve used both, but not in the same way I’m afraid…..I’ve only ever Used Alclad through an airbrush and Vallejo with a hairy brush. The finish on both is comparable to me though. Both lay down smooth and have very fine pigments. In a perfect world I would continue using Alclad on large things, like airframes and motorcycle engines, and use Vallejo on detail parts and figure painting.
Not sure if the Vallejo chrome would stand up to Alclad chrome to be honest. The Alclad chrome is truly exceptional when applied sparing over a gloss black base. It looks convincingly like scale chrome with no visible grain whatever.
Vallejo is peerless when brush painted, with the caveat that the gold and copper colours are pretty poor. The gold has a nasty greenish tinge to the shade, and the copper is just weak, with no covering power. For brush painted golds, coppers and brasses I use Darkstar Liquid Metal’s.

 

[adt70hk]

Good to read, is it water based ?

Hi Colin

Yes. Have a look at the below post for my Mossie build....not a blow by blow account but gives you an idea.

There is also a US YouTuber called Barbatos Rex who specialises in group testing and did a bow by blow account.

Whilst he's normally a lacquer advocate, he said these were the best water based ones around.

Hope these help.

ATB.

Andrew

Andrew's 1/72 Tamiya Mosquito Mk XIII

Put it on quite thin Andrew. It doesn’t flow so much then. Shouldn’t be much of an issue on a 1/72 bird anyway……not so much to cover. Interesting to know but sort of logical if you think about it....less of it to move around. And as you at 1/72 not too much to cover at this...

www.scale-models.co.uk

 

[PaulinKendal]

No one's mentioned Molotow Liquid Chrome - gives an amazing chrome finish. Here it is, brush painted. I understand it can be airbrushed as well.

 

[Komedy]

.... Have you used this brand ? I'll have to have a look at these.

I have been making the switch from MRP to these for a little while now. Like MRP a great colour range, as easy to use and for me have the edge over MRP for finish. Great user group online and the owner is very active and responsive to any questions and suggestions

 

[colin m]

Whilst he's normally a lacquer advocate, he said these were the best water based ones around.

Thank you Andrew, I'll have a look at that when I get home.

Molotow Liquid Chrome

I did once use one of their pens. It worked maybe twice then became quite mat instead of chrome. £6.00 down the drain !

and for me have the edge over MRP for finish.

Now that's interesting. I think MRP are quite brilliant. So these should be good.


Again thank you everyone for your input.

 

[Ian M]

I am trying Vallejo model air metalics, not totally alclad quality but pretty good.

OK the Chrome and the Brass are pants.
Personally I think it a good thing that Mig is running with Alclad. It makes them easier for us in Europe to get hold of them. I do love them but the smell is a bit ott even with a mask and extractor.

 

[yak face]

As said previously Vallejo metal color is very good colin , easy to use and a lot more hardwearing than vallejo model air metallics . Ive used them quite a bit for natural metal finishes and find they take a fair bit of handling

 

[PaulinKendal]

I did once use one of their pens. It worked maybe twice then became quite mat instead of chrome. £6.00 down the drain

Yeah, the pens are a temperamental delivery system for a useful medium. If you get it in a refill instead of a pen, it can be painted and sprayed conventionally.

 

[outrunner]

I have one of those pens, handy for very small bits, often thought about buying a refill after I saw a video of a guy using it to spray with.

Andy.