Which gun metal is best?

tommy1drop · Jul 17, 2015

Hi all, I 've got a question in regards to gun metal paint, and want to know which gun metal paint is the most realistic?

I have in the past used the Humbrol (gun metal) to which I stopped using as it looked wrong, I then started to use Vallejo gun metal, but this also looks wrong, to me it looks to metallic and shiny!

I was therefore hoping someone here could point me in the right direction as to which gun metal is best, or the best method/ tip would be gratefully received.

dubster72 · Jul 17, 2015

Is it for painting actual guns Tom?

Coz I think painting them black & lightly drybrushing with silver is best.

tommy1drop · Jul 17, 2015

Hi Patrick yes mate, it's for guns, for me using the gun metal paint looks wrong, thank you for the tip in regards to painting them black and dry brushing

dubster72 · Jul 17, 2015

Yeah I've always thought gunmetal looks wrong - it makes a gun look kinda toy-like

Richi72 · Jul 17, 2015

I use matt black and then a hb pencil, worked for me every time.

Most of the guns metals are hardened and they got a blackish color or burnished as they call it i think. the graphite powder set free from the pencil creates a little metallic shine on the black that let it look like used metal.

yak face · Jul 17, 2015

Hi tommy , i guess its horses for courses - depends what youre painting i suppose. As Patrick says black with a rub of pencil graphite or a dry brush of silver does the trick for actual guns , the manufacturers gun metals are always a bit too light in colour . Thats not to say they havent got a use , most of the time theyre perfect for jet exhausts , engines or different shaded panels on nat metal finishes. I have found one that is great straight from the pot though - vallejo model air metallic black , this is perfect for gun barrels , although even this can benefit from a light drybrushing sometimes to pick out the detail , cheers tony

Paul P · Jul 17, 2015

Humbrol do a polished steel that actually comes out looking very gun metal, its a paint that you polish with a soft cloth, very effective, i normally use it to paint armour on figures

rickoshea52 · Jul 17, 2015

Depends on the weapon or part thereof. The exterior metal surfaces of most small arms that I have handled or seen are blackened, its the moving parts that have a "gun metal" finish I find. An exception would be the metalwork on older bolt action rifles like the short magazine Lee-Enfield.

Alan 45 · Jul 17, 2015

The best I have found is tamiya's fx 56 metallic grey , but is best to paint black then dry brush with a gun metal very slightly

dougie · Jul 17, 2015

Would it depend on scale as well? Something that small - I would be hard to see as much detail.

Have you tried a Matt coat on top to dull down? Bearing in mind I've never painted a gun before :oops: I'm just musing and picking up tips here and there!

Alan 45 · Jul 17, 2015

It does depend on scale say 1/72 you could just do black as any highlight would either look out of scale or you wouldn't see them ,

1/35 is better here are a couple of pick with just tamiya xf 56 View attachment 114654

View attachment 114655

dubster72 · Jul 17, 2015

Or...

View attachment 114656

View attachment 114657

rickoshea52 · Jul 17, 2015

You might want to try a drop of Humbrol metalcote mixed with Railmatch weathered black. When dry rub your finger over the part to buff the Metalcote, it has particles of metal in it apparently. I add a drop to my railway locomotive weathering mix and rub for a slightly greasy sheen.

BarryW · Jul 17, 2015

A good option are the Gunze buffables, iron or dark iron.

Paint it on and sonn after drying buff it, use your finger, it will bring out shiny bright highlights and detail leaving dark recesses and give a very realistic finish.

Alan 45 · Jul 17, 2015

\ said:
You might want to try a drop of Humbrol metalcote mixed with Railmatch weathered black. When dry rub your finger over the part to buff the Metalcote, it has particles of metal in it apparently. I add a drop to my railway locomotive weathering mix and rub for a slightly greasy sheen.

\ said:
A good option are the Gunze buffables, iron or dark iron.
Paint it on and sonn after drying buff it, use your finger, it will bring out shiny bright highlights and detail leaving dark recesses and give a very realistic finish.

Thats probably the best advice , I must try these out myself :smiling3:

tommy1drop · Jul 17, 2015

Thanks lads, so many helpful tips and advice, think I'm going to try as many as possible of the tips suggested by you guys, trial and error, once again thank you all

Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds · Jul 17, 2015

I used to use the Citadel metals, add the wash then highlight gave a great effect but long winded.

Now I use the Mr Hobby Metaliser's, like Barry says, you paint them on then when dry use your finger to buff where you need it, I use the same paints for the engines on my planes now, mainly Dark Iron.

View attachment 114666

Adrian

noble · Jul 17, 2015

Games workshop metallics are really very good.

scott

Alan 45 · Jul 17, 2015

I must admit I do like the citadel metallics , I use them for shovel heads because they have a finer metallic in them then I brush either an oil black or burnt umber on them to make them look like old steel or rusting steel , it gives a good effect I think

tommy1drop · Jul 17, 2015

Hi Adrian thanks for that, and your Me109 looks fantastic

Which gun metal is best?

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