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Post by Mr. E on Dec 5, 2018 15:21:15 GMT -5
Wholly CHROME B-man! For any of you that haven't tried one of these things, RUN, don't walk to your nearest retailer. No kidding! These things are the best thing since Bare Metal Foil. Although I have yet to try Alclad (sp?)
I just have one minor issue, once applied the chrome is incredibly fragile. It stays on fairly well but dulls at the slightest touch.
So my question is, have any of you had any luck clear coating this stuff?
Sorry about not posting images, but my computer is being stubborn.
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Post by Mr. E on Dec 5, 2018 15:50:59 GMT -5
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Post by Mr. E on Dec 5, 2018 21:14:53 GMT -5
Are the pictures showing up for anyone?
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Post by Mr. E on Dec 5, 2018 22:47:39 GMT -5
Well hell.
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Post by goofy62 on Dec 5, 2018 23:39:58 GMT -5
I've been using them on a limited basis for a couple of years, and while they work great for certain applications, I wouldn't get too excited about them.
They work extremely well for small parts and touch up, and some guys will even "decant" them and airbrush the ink on bumpers and such, but I would be careful about things like that.
You're correct, the ink is very fragile, but once it drys for a couple of days, it gets better. But it will never be as durable as plated parts.
As with most of these chrome substitutes, (and real chrome for that matter) they do not take well to clear coat. Every clear coat that I know of will dull the finish and make it look like aluminum rather than chrome.
Likewise, some people have taken to using it as a foil substitute for body trim. I will put my opinion on that in this way. On another forum, I invited people to post photos of their trimming jobs that they had done with the Molotow pen to illustrate that it could be done as well as foil. I didn't get one responses! Well, I got one, but any four year old child would have looked at the photos & realized how poor the job was. 
The issue with using the pens for trim is, in order to get a reflective, chrome like finish, the ink needs to be applied very heavily. Needless to say, if it is applied heavily enough to look like chrome, it's going to run and pool and wind up in a lot of places where you do not want it. As far as I can tell, the only way to achieve an acceptable trim job with a pen is to mask off all of the trim, and then you're not saving any time or headaches over using foil. The pens have an advantage over silver paint in appearance, but in the application department, it is no better. You can apply the ink with a brush as well, but if your hand is not steady enough for paint, it is not steady enough for the Molotow ink.
All of that being said, it's a wonderful tool to have in your arsenal, but just don't expect it to be the silver bullet.
I have a 1mm & a 2mm pen and I use them frequently for small items like touching up sprue attachment points on chrome parts, interior detailing, (usually with a brush) and small parts that are difficult to foil, but in my opinion, it is not a substitute for foil in most circumstances.
I used the 2mm pen to chrome the mirror and a couple of other small parts on my last '60 Imperial project and it worked great for them. I would not have attempted to chrome any of the body trim with the pens.
Steve
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Post by Mr. E on Dec 5, 2018 23:49:17 GMT -5
Thanks for your reply. I did try to post some pictures of the chrome trim I had done as practice on my unpainted Dart project, but I'm not sure they came through. I'm using Imgur and haven't had any trouble with them in the past, but such is the internet.
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Post by tubbs on Dec 6, 2018 7:31:25 GMT -5
I agree with all that Steve said. saved me some typing. I used it on some headlight buckets on a 66 nova. they turned out real nice for what it is. I like chrome trim the best, bare metal foil is the best for window and side trim, but. I think as for ease of application, I think the pens will be excepted with open armed, even though there are better alternatives. I have alclad and never used it yet. I know Marty used it a lot. maybe if someone has the time, they could do a comparison of each. maybe on the same part to really see the difference.
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Post by goofy62 on Dec 6, 2018 11:51:09 GMT -5
I have used both Alclad, and the Molotow pens.
I believe that the pens give a better chrome like finish, but Alclad has many other finishes other than just chrome.
I use Alclad aluminum, steel, pale gold, etc, a lot more than I use the chrome Alclad.
Steve
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Post by dge467 on Dec 6, 2018 18:13:14 GMT -5
I like them for small parts, but I am sticking to my chrome foil guns!
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Post by DusterEd on Dec 6, 2018 18:55:01 GMT -5
I agree it's good for small parts. But I mostly use bare metal foil. I was told not to clear over it. So I have never done so.
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Post by tubbs on Dec 7, 2018 8:01:15 GMT -5
i'm doing a whole duster body in them pens.... it will come out better than my rattle can paint jobs.
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Post by BUCKY on Dec 7, 2018 21:47:48 GMT -5
That's a way to go!! HAHAHA
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Post by Mr. E on Dec 8, 2018 3:17:15 GMT -5
i'm doing a whole duster body in them pens.... it will come out better than my rattle can paint jobs. Hey, that could work, you could practice on a slant 6 and then you could go over the whole thing with a Highlighter and make it look like it was anodized!! |
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Post by BUCKY on Dec 8, 2018 11:48:50 GMT -5
I know some builders use the Molotow refills and run the stuff thru an airbrush. They seem to give it good reviews, using that method.
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Post by spencermoparfan on Feb 8, 2019 21:23:23 GMT -5
After messing up the little nibs ( yes , 'PLURAL' !) on my 1m.m. molotow pens , I brought some fine scale 00 brushes , pulled the top off of the pens and used the chrome as I would do with normal paint .
I pour a small amount onto a blister pack from one of my many tablets . An old small lid would suffice...
Acetone free nail varnish remover gets it off & even re-liquefies dried paint ! (& removes decals rapidly DOH !)
( I tried white spirit , brush cleaner paint remover etc etc !)
Yeah ,three brushes later ... Pffffft !
then I brought an 18ml refil .
I use it on all my scale models , great for doing the tiny details on Hot Wheels !
As for clear coating , never done it yet . I just leave for a couple of days to set .
I have tried to use acrylic clear colours over the top - for rear lights etc , & that's " OK "
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