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Is This the Best Way to Paint Metals? – TUTORIAL

By Felix Fimbres | October 13th, 2016 | Categories: How To Tutorial, painting miniatures

Feature Painting Metal

My name is Hanz and his name is Rob, and togetha’, we’re going to paint you up! Test your mettle painting metal with an airbrush and flex that hobby muscle!

Welcome back to another painting tutorial! Today, we’re going to use Reaper paints to paint metal so that we get a nice smooth transition and plenty of contrast.

Painting Metal

I’m using the Reaper Master Series: 9205 Blackened Steel, 9206, and 9207 True silver

You get these as a triad from Reaper and what I love about these is they have a unique pigment, it’s not a metal flake. This may or may not fit your style. I know this doesn’t fit Kenny’s style, and his style doesn’t fit mine. So, listen to your heart, not just “yo, dawg” or “hey hobby maniacs” Different Brush Strokes for Different folks.

Step 1: Base it.  I’m using Testors Model Masters Gunmetal Buffing, 1455, I’m using it as my base and primer because it’s super close to blackened steel.

Painting Metal


Step 2: Hit the highlights, with 9206.

Painting Metal

The Ancient Tech: Air Brush Flow Improver, put just a bit in and mix it up with just an old brush. You want the paint mixed up down in the reservoir.

Step 3: Work on the highlights by hitting it with 9207, True Silver. This step is going to make the metals really start to pop.

Painting Metal

Pro-Tip: aim for just the edge, that’s what gives it the sweet transition.

Step 4. Now we’re doing cut backs with the blackened steel. We’re hitting the lower flat areas to give it a smooth transition.

Pro-Tip, Hit the underside to see how it flows! If you mess up it won’t be on a critical part of the model and if someone’s really looking at the model you’ll get bonus points for painting that part!

Step 5. I like my contrast and this is missing some. I’m going to hit this with black and make this pop. I’m hitting the grill areas, the ports, the low shaded parts and it’s solid.

Painting Metal

And that’s that, for all the hobby tips and tricks I encourage you to check out the video!

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About the Author: Felix Fimbres

Sailor, Solider, Pilot, Photojournalist, Paratrooper, Technician, and Jack of Most of Trades. I consider myself a Blood Angel player, playing Death Company heavy armies. Recently, I've decided all my Blood Angels will fall to the Black Rage.