Gilding my Traxxas (why not?)

[Pariah Zero]

I've been building a TRX-4 Sport build kit, and started with the body - and noticed that there are various badges and other bits that really would look better as shiny silver rather than just black.

I could have used paint. A sane person would have. Neither applied here.

I've never actually used the stuff before, but I figured it's worth experimenting. The results are very shiny, but my inexperience with the material means I have a lot of crinkled leaf. I'll be happier when I can get it more polished looking. Ah well, practice, I suppose. It didn't help much that much of it was <ahem> already painted with Testor/s silver, and not exactly smooth to begin with (there are reasons...)

I still need to do some minor cleanup to make the edges more crisp, remove some 'weed' material, etc. Static electricity keeps some of the leaf attached even when there is no adhesive.

All photos are before & after.

The front badge:

The Rear Badge:

Shovel & Axe:

Snorkel:

 

[Olle P]

Cool!
I've been playing around with the idea of guilding the entire body on the inside. Seems like the glue isn't that clear though.
The parts where you have applied thin metal I've painted metallic instead. Paint is easy to re-apply if it gets scraped off, which is a fairly high risk in our activities.

 

[high plains drifter]

Nice idea to add a personal touch. Looks good. "thumbsup"

lol @ "I could have used paint. A sane person would have. Neither applied here."

I think that a lot of us here can relate.

 

[smog]

Interesting idea, never seen that done before. I have always painted, but it doesn't have the same pop.

 

[BP6666VR]

Yesterday i was reading and looking on your work, then today i saw on AliExpress , maybe of interest? Read the comments on the below link 4124 orders and 4.7 stars ....

€ 1,94 8%OFF | Electroplating Mirror Silver Paint Pen Hand-repair Chrome-plated Metal Waterproof Tire Ceramic Touch-up Paint 1mm/2mm Nib
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMa7fzE

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[durok]

People have used Molotow paint markers as well - they are available from many resellers and have Chrome available.

 

[Gula]

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I recently bought that chrome pen and it's awesome. Mine took over a month to get to CA. Works best on things that aren't as smooth as glass IMHO, your results may vary.

 

[Goro Majima]

People have used Molotow paint markers as well - they are available from many resellers and have Chrome available.

Yeah these markers are awesome. Having the different tip size markers from them helps a lot also.

 

[Pariah Zero]

People have used Molotow paint markers as well - they are available from many resellers and have Chrome available.

When I first saw the brand, I saw a 'v' instead of a 'w' and read 'Molotov' - like the cocktail.

So my brain immediately went to a marker that drew a line of flame. :shock:

Of course, as I said at the beginning: A sane person would have used paint.
Self-leveling chrome paints are definitely a thing!

Gilding, however, is more unusual, preserves the underlying texture while making it look like silver, and was fun.

 

[BP6666VR]

I recently bought that chrome pen and it's awesome. Mine took over a month to get to CA. Works best on things that aren't as smooth as glass IMHO, your results may vary.

So it actually works ? Ha lol good you mentioned it has to be on a bit rough surface

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