Best bronze paint?

[CPDDET]

Have a couple of prop struts and rudder support on my Pilar scratch build that I had 3D printed. Now I need to choose a realistic bronze color paint for them.
Been trying to research but I'm seeing a wide variance in shades.
Any advice ? Not looking for a weathered or bright finish.
Dave

 

[AllanKP69]

I hope someone has a great answer. Did you try printing them in bronze colored resin? I would love to see photos of samples made it to see how it looks.
Thanks
Allan

 

[CPDDET]

This is the color I think would look good. Of course it's a real bronze strut.

 

[CPDDET]

I hope someone has a great answer. Did you try printing them in bronze colored resin? I would love to see photos of samples made it to see how it looks.
Thanks
Allan

Allen, did you mean pictures of the 3D parts before or after they're painted?

 

[DAWarden-(Jaager)]

Modern Masters makes a line of water base acrylic paints that contain the actual metal.
Copper or darkened bronze may be it for you. There is a primer that is a protective barrier.
The cost for even 6 oz might not work for such a small job

There is a good chance that shellac would work as a primer.

A search on Amazon for bronze paint may turn up something
or
Blick Artists' Acrylic - Iridescent Bronze, 2 oz tube $11

 

[AllanKP69]

Allen, did you mean pictures of the 3D parts before or after they're painted?

Thanks --- I was speaking if having the parts made of a bronze colored resin instead of painting the parts.

 

[RussF]

Is there really such a thing as a "realistic" bronze color? Just do an online search for bronze patina images and you will see colors from bright brassy to deep coppery to brown to green. It all depends on what stage in the part's life and what elements it has been exposed to that you want to try to represent. You probably won't go wrong with most any color (other than fire engine red or hot pink, obviously).

 

[RichardG]

Thanks --- I was speaking if having the parts made of a bronze colored resin instead of painting the parts.
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It's uncanny, If that sculpture is made by that resin, then I'm totally convinced and would use it. All it would need is a little noise or imperfections on the surface.

 

[CPDDET]

Thanks --- I was speaking if having the parts made of a bronze colored resin instead of painting the parts.
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An option i was unaware of when having the parts made, due to my ignorance of 3D printing materials. Depending on the surface texture this would be a great way to go.

 

[CPDDET]

It's uncanny, If that sculpture is made by that resin, then I'm totally convinced and would use it. All it would need is a little noise or imperfections on the surface.

While no expert by any means, I do know that using different resins will result in different textures.

 

[CPDDET]

Yesterday I was able to obtain a small sample of marine grade bronze. After I clean it up it will be much easier to match it to the correct paint color.

 

[CPDDET]

Is there really such a thing as a "realistic" bronze color? Just do an online search for bronze patina images and you will see colors from bright brassy to deep coppery to brown to green. It all depends on what stage in the part's life and what elements it has been exposed to that you want to try to represent. You probably won't go wrong with most any color (other than fire engine red or hot pink, obviously).

Good point! Since my build will represent the craft as new from the shipyard, I'll use the cleaned piece of marine grade bronze color as my standard.

 

[CPDDET]

OK, let's go down the rabbit hole. Different bronze alloys are used for marine applications. These include MTEK 230 / C95500 and MTEK 230-N / C95800. Which may account for the different color shades.
And that is far more than I need to know. OCD can be fun! LOL

 

[Rob444]

You may want to try Rust oleum paints. they have some great bronze colors and they adhere very well to plastics. Here is an example of a model I did with bronze colors from rust oleum




Rob

 

[CPDDET]

You may want to try Rust oleum paints. they have some great bronze colors and they adhere very well to plastics. Here is an example of a model I did with bronze colors from rust oleum

View attachment 557801


Rob

Yep, they are on the list