Hi, just wondering whats the best way to darken chrome parts with a wash e.g. grilles, wheels?
Acrylics, enamels or oils?
Any techniques explained will be very appreciated.
Cheers
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Washing Chrome

redbird
Western Australia, Australia
Member Since: April 20, 2013
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Member Since: April 20, 2013
entire network: 9 Posts
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Posted: Sunday, October 07, 2018 - 09:03 PM UTC

Hwa-Rang
Kobenhavn, Denmark
Member Since: June 29, 2004
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Member Since: June 29, 2004
entire network: 6,258 Posts
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Posted: Sunday, October 07, 2018 - 11:02 PM UTC
Do you need an overall darkere appearance or do you want to emphasize specific areas, to add depth?

redbird
Western Australia, Australia
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Posted: Monday, October 08, 2018 - 09:33 AM UTC
Mainly to add depth, especially in grilles.
My attempts seem to flood in certain areas.
My attempts seem to flood in certain areas.

KoSprueOne

Posted: Monday, October 08, 2018 - 01:12 PM UTC
I like to use black acrylic thinned with Future. It flows great into grilles. If any of the wash get on top surfaces I didn't want, I just wipe away with an isopropyl dampened brush, cotton tip, or tissue.


Hwa-Rang
Kobenhavn, Denmark
Member Since: June 29, 2004
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Member Since: June 29, 2004
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Posted: Monday, October 08, 2018 - 05:09 PM UTC
For grilles I use acryllics, thinned with water or enamels thinned with white spirit. Any excess paint is easily removed, with a brush or cottonswap dampened with thinner.
In my latest build I used Tamiya smoke, thinned with alcohol. That worked fine on alu-wheels. Haven't tried it on a grill.
In my latest build I used Tamiya smoke, thinned with alcohol. That worked fine on alu-wheels. Haven't tried it on a grill.

redbird
Western Australia, Australia
Member Since: April 20, 2013
entire network: 9 Posts
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Member Since: April 20, 2013
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Posted: Thursday, October 11, 2018 - 09:20 AM UTC
Thanks for the advice, I'll give these ideas a try.
Cheers
Cheers

Joel_W
New York, United States
Member Since: December 04, 2010
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Posted: Friday, October 12, 2018 - 05:56 AM UTC
Lee,
I much prefer for recessed areas whether chromed or not to use Tamiya's Panel Line accent color wash. It comes in Black, Dark Brown, Brown, and Gray. Honestly, the Gray doesn't seem to work unless really mixed with Black. The wash is enamel based not lacquer or acrylic lacquer so a Mineral Spirit is used to remove the excess and won't harm acrylic or water based paints.
Joel
I much prefer for recessed areas whether chromed or not to use Tamiya's Panel Line accent color wash. It comes in Black, Dark Brown, Brown, and Gray. Honestly, the Gray doesn't seem to work unless really mixed with Black. The wash is enamel based not lacquer or acrylic lacquer so a Mineral Spirit is used to remove the excess and won't harm acrylic or water based paints.
Joel
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