Cub Man

My Feedback: (50)

Looking for a way to make some scale kick plates. Take a look at the photo. I’m building it scaled and need to know how to make the outside dirty looking but the center shiny.

BobH

My Feedback: (2)

Might take a bit of experimentation but you could: spray the entire panel with a dull silver first and then use silver Rub and Buff for the center (its bright). Put the rub n buff on with a Qtip and just rub it in an oblong circle. Should look ok..

TFF

If it is big enough make it like what you see. Your "dirty" is just the natural aluminum and the shinny part is where the sols of shoes have polished it over time. The effect will also be dependent on how the light hits it too.

Edwin

My Feedback: (2)

Aluminum AC duct tape. Maybe rub some dirt or something on it first, then polish the inside a with dremil polishing bit. Might even use some thin K&S aluminum plate.
Edwin

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

Cut the plates from lithoplate, or aluminum flashing material. Mist some silver paint on it to dull the finish, then take a Q-tip just barely damp with MEK or lacquer thinner, and lightly rub the center to remove the paint.

JeffH

My Feedback: (43)

Put some acidic substance on some aluminum flashing to dull the finish, vinegar will probably work. Then use some steel wool to polish the middle back to a reasonable shine.

Mode One

I would use whatever material seems to be easy to work with and light. Paint it the overall dark color you feel represents the weathered aluminum. When that has dried, dry brush the silver color on. Dry brushing is the process of just barly getting any paint on your brush, then brushing off the vast majority of whatever paint is left on the brush on a paper towel. Then you go to the spot you want to look shinny and rub the brush there. Start in the middle and work outwards, it will automatically feather out at the edges. It's a technique that needs to be developed, so try it on scrap first. It's easy to learn and once you understand the process you will find you can use it all over the place and it is very quick. Very simple to do, simple tools, no real mess and easy to clean up or change, if the results didn't turn out the way you wanted. It would have been easier and quicker to do, then it is to explain here how to do it.

abufletcher

As always the techniques suggested so far far into one of two categories: simulate or replicate. Simulate involves using a non-scale process to "fake" the look of something. Replicate involves using something like the original processes to create a near scale effect. Both approaches work well.

jtisch

What scale/size is the model you are making?That will help determine which method might be best.

Cub Man

My Feedback: (50)

This is on a ¼ scale. Thanks for all the ideas, I will probably take some thin K&S alum and dirty it up with some paint from my airbrush. Then I will polish the center of them. Wish me luck