Pale Burnt Metal

Vallejo Pale Burnt Metal — the metallic shade of heated metal

Unlike an ordinary opaque paint, a metallic works with a metal pigment, and that behaves differently: it settles to the bottom of the bottle, it needs a smooth base and it will not take heavy coats. The shade matches the lighter tone of metal that has been through heat — it suits exhaust pipes, nozzles, mufflers, scorched panels and anywhere the shift of color caused by heat should show. The paint comes from the Vallejo metallic range intended primarily for the airbrush.

Use

• stir the bottle long and thoroughly before work, but violent shaking only froths the contents needlessly
• a metallic looks best on a smooth, glossy and dark base — a rough surface scatters the pigment and dulls the shade
• spray very thin coats, because the metal pigment should spread evenly rather than pile up
• apply metallic areas as late as possible; they are harder to overspray and mask than matte colors
• use the gentlest tape you can for masking and apply it only to a fully cured surface
• do not thin the coat improvised; the manufacturer's thinner for this range preserves the behavior of the pigment

Who it is for

For aircraft modelers dealing with nozzles and exhausts, for modelers of vehicles and motorcycles with headers and mufflers, and for anyone building equipment with exposed metal. It also comes into its own as a supplementary tone in a metallic palette — it combines well with darker burnt steel shades and with lighter aluminum tones for transitions.

The surface of metallics is more sensitive to touch and rubbing, so handle a finished model carefully. A clear coat over the top usually reduces the sheen of the paint and may subdue it, so test it on an offcut first. Work in a ventilated area with respiratory protection and clean the airbrush immediately after you finish spraying.