“Bare metal” warships

[Sjhernan3060]

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?

[Greywind]

If black is too dark and white is too bright, try priming with gray.

[WONC]

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.

[Gladius-XC]

I achieved a really nice metallic look on a hatchetman by applying a very watered down black wash directly to the bare metal.

[abou]

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.

[Sjhernan3060]

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?

[Ghaz]

Do you use it over a black primer?

Vallejo recommends a gloss black primer, but a flat primer works as well.

[ISD]

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

[worktroll]

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

[SeeM]

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.

[Periphery_Blues]

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!

[Sjhernan3060]

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

[Crimson Dynamo]

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.