BattleTech - The Board Game of Armored Combat

BattleTech Miniatures and Terrain => BattleTech Miniatures => Topic started by: Sjhernan3060 on 08 April 2024, 15:59:49

Title: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: Sjhernan3060 on 08 April 2024, 15:59:49
I am looking for advice, I have collected the small but might blood spirit navy which is noted as having a “ bare metal” scheme but I have just not been happy with my results. I have tried metallic over black primer and a metallic primary but it either looks too dark or too bright. I have stripped the models again and I am ready to start again. What do you all suggest?
Title: Re: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: Greywind on 08 April 2024, 16:19:50
If black is too dark and white is too bright, try priming with gray.
Title: Re: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: WONC on 08 April 2024, 16:36:25
If black is too dark and white is too bright, try priming with gray.

This would be my suggestion as well. If you wanted to, you could put a drop or two of black primer in with the gray to drop it down a bit more, while still keeping that lighter contrast than the pure black.
Title: Re: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: Gladius-XC on 08 April 2024, 18:16:22
I achieved a really nice metallic look on a hatchetman by applying a very watered down black wash directly to the bare metal.
Title: Re: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: abou on 08 April 2024, 18:41:12
What paint are you using?

The only correct answer is Vallejo Metal Color, by the way

It uses aluminum powder as the pigment with an ink for different colors.
Title: Re: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: Sjhernan3060 on 08 April 2024, 19:37:31
What paint are you using?

The only correct answer is Vallejo Metal Color, by the way

It uses aluminum powder as the pigment with an ink for different colors.

Do you use it over a black primer?
Title: Re: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: Ghaz on 08 April 2024, 21:48:19
Do you use it over a black primer?

Vallejo recommends a gloss black primer, but a flat primer works as well.
Title: Re: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: ISD on 09 April 2024, 00:51:51
FWIW I've been happy with dark grey as unpainted bare metal - when not using metallic paints ::think
Either flat dark grey or with a drop of red mixed in, depending on the effect I'm looking for :cheesy:
Title: Re: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: worktroll on 09 April 2024, 03:51:53
One simple approach is to base black, then drybrush metal paint of your choice over the top. Gives a good result.

Alternatively prime, then base in metal, and apply a black ink wash. But the drybrush method looks better, IMHO
Title: Re: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: SeeM on 09 April 2024, 05:47:48
I usually spray them black, paint whatever and finish with Citadel's Leadbelcher for guns, engines and other metally stuff. It is the most rusty, thick and dense metallic color I had ever used. Great for battle damage and heavily used parts of any machine.
Title: Re: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: Periphery_Blues on 12 April 2024, 18:24:17
I have great success with Citadel's leadbelcher over a flat black rattle can primer, thinned down about 3 to 1 with water or if available, thinner medium. you can pull the greatest concentration of the shinies to where the light would naturally fall and get a solid base, then hit with nuln oil or your fav black wash ( also thinned) until you reach a satisfactory level of brightness. 

Good Painting!
Title: Re: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: Sjhernan3060 on 25 April 2024, 19:47:32
I have great success with Citadel's leadbelcher over a flat black rattle can primer, thinned down about 3 to 1 with water or if available, thinner medium. you can pull the greatest concentration of the shinies to where the light would naturally fall and get a solid base, then hit with nuln oil or your fav black wash ( also thinned) until you reach a satisfactory level of brightness. 

Good Painting!

My new ships have arrived ( courtesy of Aries miniatures) and I hope try this again on the weekend
Title: Re: “Bare metal” warships
Post by: Crimson Dynamo on 26 April 2024, 19:31:32
I've also seen (in Sorrastro videos on YT for Imperial Assault minis) the mixing of flat greys and metallics to represent base metals. It seems to work surprisingly well for a subdued look you may be looking for.