MRP-A015 White Aluminium

The lighter version of aluminum

Aluminum shades differ according to how much white pigment they contain. The lighter versions look flatter and closer to unpolished sheet, while the darker ones look glossier. This shade is one of the light ones, so it suits the skins of aircraft that were not polished and surfaces where the metal is meant to look dulled rather than like a mirror.

Paint properties

The paint comes from the water-thinnable line and is supplied pre-thinned to a consistency for the airbrush. The metallic particles settle according to the shape of the surface underneath, so that surface has to be smooth and degreased. Mix the paint gently before pouring, as vigorous shaking drives air into the metallic particles.

Recommended procedure

• Work at reduced pressure and keep the coats thin
• Add a drop of a darker metal to part of the paint and set some of the panels apart with it
• Lay a gloss clear coat before the decals, as decals silver on a bare metallic
• Do not touch a fresh surface, as fingerprints stay visible

A real metal skin never looks like a uniform surface, because the panels differed in alloy and in age. Setting several panels apart is therefore the most effective way to bring a model closer to the real subject.

Where a light aluminum comes into its own

• The skins of aircraft operated without paint
• Panels that were never polished
• The inner sides of covers and bays

It pays to lay a gloss black base under metallic shades even when the paint is light. The base gives the metallic particles depth and the surface then does not look like a gray paint with glitter but genuinely metallic.