Mr. Color - super stříbrná

A finer grain, a more pronounced sheen

Metallic paints differ from one another above all in the size of the metal particles. A coarser grain gives a more matte, rather aluminum-like surface, while a finer one gives a smooth and glossy result. The super designation on this paint means precisely that finer milling, so the result is closer to polished metal than to a matte skin. That suits surfaces meant to reflect light: covers, trim strips and polished parts.

The base decides

The finer the grain, the more the smoothness of the base matters. The particles follow the shape of the surface, so every scratch left by sanding is emphasized under them instead of disappearing. Under this paint it therefore pays not only to smooth the surface but to polish it, or to apply a gloss base coat.

Procedure and limitations

• Spray in thin coats at lower pressure, as a heavy coat stirs the grain up
• Do not touch the finished surface, as fingerprints stay on it permanently
• An overcoat reduces the sheen, so allow for that before applying decals
• Masking tape can pull the surface off, so mask before the silver rather than after

The paint is thinned exclusively with the thinner of the same lacquer range. Metallic shades suit a brush only to a limited extent, because the strokes stay visible in the dried layer and a metal surface emphasizes them more than an ordinary paint.

Where a fine grain shows to advantage

• Polished engine covers and panels with no paint
• Trim strips, frames and decorative elements of cars
• Bare metal skin on aircraft operated without paint

To set the individual panels of a skin apart, it works well to mix a drop of a darker metallic shade into part of the paint. A real aircraft never looks like a uniform mirror surface, because the sheets differed in alloy and in age.