MRP-A016 Anodized Aluminium

Anodized Aluminium - metallic acrylic paint by Mr.Paint (17 ml)

This is a modeling paint, not a kit. The shade comes from the Aqua line of the Slovak maker Mr.Paint, which is a water-thinnable acrylic for airbrush and brush alike, so a different chemistry from the famous lacquer line of the same brand. The paint comes in a dropper bottle with a capacity of 17 ml and is mixed so that it can be sprayed straight from the bottle, without thinning. When you do need to thin it, reach for water or for the acrylic thinner of the same line, not for the lacquer one. It is practically odorless.

Why anodized aluminum and not an ordinary silver

Anodizing is an electrochemical treatment in which a hard oxide layer grows on the surface of the aluminum. Such metal looks noticeably different from bare polished aluminum: it is flatter, darker and richer in color, without a sharp mirror sparkle. That is exactly why this shade exists: if you reached for an ordinary aluminum or silver paint, the surface would come out too bright and reflective and the model would start to look tinned rather than made of an aviation alloy. It suits aircraft panels and skins, structural parts, cockpit details, modern aircraft and racing vehicles.

Use and what to watch out for

• The metallic pigment is heavy and settles to the bottom, so stir the bottle thoroughly before every use, otherwise almost clear binder comes out of the nozzle and the sheen is missing.
• A metallic finish brings out every flaw, so it belongs over a smoothly sanded, ideally gloss surface, otherwise sanding marks and grain will stand out.
• Apply it at the end of painting: a metal coat is hard to overspray and masking tape can pull it off together with the surface beneath. Mask carefully and with a tape of reduced tack.
• A matte varnish kills the metal effect, so do not use one over a metallic finish unless you want to lose the metal look.

Who it is for

For aircraft modelers dealing with realistic metal surfaces, and for anyone who wants a metal shade in the palette without the sharp gloss of an ordinary silver. A water-thinnable acrylic will be appreciated by modelers working in an apartment, where lacquer chemistry is a problem.

A modeling paint, not a kit. Always ventilate and protect your airways when spraying with an airbrush: an aerosol is created even with water-thinnable paints. Keep out of the reach of children.