Shiny! Chrome Graphite Finishes for Props and Cosplay

[@coregeek]

Here’s my sealer follow up vid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXnJcnt7mZuSbbM

[@Jaig_Eyes77]

I swear I could watch videos of graphite powder applications without stopping and still be awed all day long. Incredible!

[@thedoctor4269]

This is exactly what I was looking for! I'm finishing a resin replica of the Blade Runner blaster and I've been wanting to use some graphite finishing for some of the parts. This has definitely saved me time (and money) on tests.

[@coregeek]

Glad to hear! Hope it all works out for ya!

[@mainstay.]

I love tests of different finishes, even the ones that don't come out as well as expected always spark new ideas.

[@coregeek]

Main Stay Yeah, that’s the fun of it for sure.

[@TheIcemanModdeler]

Some websites that sell graphite powder recommend sealing it with hairspray, wonder how good that it.

[@pacoallen]

These tests are awesome. Currently trying to figure out this technique for a Mandalorian helmet. Black is way too dark, so seeing some of these other results is super helpful.

[@punishedprops]

Great tests Eric! =D

[@Sch1itzie]

Hey Eric, I was looking at the product list on Bill's video and I checked out the product site for the graphite powder he had. Long story short, apparently model painters use gloss metallic blue as a base coat before the graphite for the truest chrome finish. Now I gotta try it out!

[@coregeek]

The Schlitzie Oooh that sounds interesting. Thanks for the tip.

[@Joelthegeek]

wow that is so cool how the use of paint and graphite work together to give a prop sword that amazing finish!! I look forward to seeing what you create next!

[@coregeek]

Joel G Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@blizatrex]

the shiny grey is my favorite. I wonder what it would look like with a blue or red underneath.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks for posting this. I'm planning on deploying this method over matte black for an upcoming build and it was exactly what I was looking for before I got started.

[@gogeta2319]

Awesomely done!

[@AlysonTabbitha]

Oh my gosh that stuff it magic!! it looks amazing!!!

[@coregeek]

Alyson Tabbitha Thank you my friend! 😊

[@blackringprops6876]

Great stuff! The blade i'm working on i'm stenciling a Damascus steel pattern on. Got me thinking the flat and glossy graphite finishes for the layers could give it an awesome finished look! Thanks Eric!

[@coregeek]

BlackRing Props Oooh that’s quite possible, great idea!

[@justincosplay]

Hope you do more videos like this next year!!!

[@MakerDaveBagnall]

Very interesting, something we will definitely try! thanks for the video Eric :)

[@coregeek]

Tip Top Workshop Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks.

[@emefka.bewegtbildmanufaktur]

Thanks for testing that for us - you saved me lots of hours of printing and testing

[@Warhawk76]

Found you on Punished Props, and so glad I did. After I saw what you did with the first sword I was really wondering what effect the base color would have on the graphite, and you did exactly the tests I needed to see! I am getting ready to do a Lord Starkiller helmet and don't want to spend $30 getting the Molotow Chrome paint, but it looks like the graphite over gloss white might be the way to go. Thanks again for posting this, liked and subbed.

[@coregeek]

Warhawk76 Be sure to do some tests first to see if you like the results with your particular materials. I’ve seen various results with white as the base. One project I did later, the graphite coverage was very “patchy” looking. I think the darker bases help with the overall illusion of the mirrored effect.

[@cgayle92cg]

So I'm 3D printing The Mandalorian helmet, and I know I'm going to finish it with graphite. But I'm torn between a gloss gray and gloss white underneath 🤔

[@jonathanlazaro1235]

I was in the same boat as you, did you decide which color you wanted to use underneath?

[@thedubstropgamer2200]

I'm also doing the mando helmet. Primer is crying now. Any tips pertaining to the best time to apply the graphite post painting?

[@cgayle92cg]

@@thedubstropgamer2200 you can apply and buff it with cotton swabs ^_^

[@thedubstropgamer2200]

Thanks Christian Gayle. I was wondering how dry the paint needs to be for best results. Do you want for the paint to be fully cured or is it better to buff it in after you can handle the object but not when fully cured.

[@cgayle92cg]

@@thedubstropgamer2200 wait for the paint to be fully cured, so you don't mess up the glossy service

[@geblah187]

Thank you so much for posting this! I was going to use a white gloss undercoat for some silver metallic paint - think i'm going to skip the silver paint and try graphite instead. Really appreciate it!

[@timohippy]

Great to hear you're planning more videos next year man! I cant wait to try the graphite powder on a flat black base on a gun project. Thanks for the video!

[@coregeek]

Props to you Sir It looks pretty good. I also want to use it on something.

[@Slytherin_Snapeniac]

Awesome! I was dreading over the need for me to experiment but you did this video and it answered a lot of questions. Thank you

[@corypockett]

Good Video. I would be interested to see a gloss Red or Green to see if any of the color would show through. Could be a neat effect.

[@coregeek]

C Pock Yeah that’s a great question!

[@nixland]

Thanks for the tips. I am still finding a way to paint my resin swords looks like shiny steel sword

[@benstanley4529]

Thank you so much Eric! I will definitely be using this on a current project right now and buy is it going to help A LOT

[@321apocalyps]

Can I buy a bunch of old/new pencils from somewhere for cheap and arduously split them and salvage the graphite?

[@crystalward393]

Cool, I like the white.

[@coregeek]

Crystal Ward Me too!

[@archangeloliver]

Ooh I've got to try this now! I would love to see how well it takes to sealing, or if you get other effects with different base colors.

[@coregeek]

Kohalu Working on a sealer follow up since so many have asked.

[@coregeek]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXnJcnt7mZuSbbM

[@jamesash7368]

I'd be interested to see how putting a small amount of pigment into the clear coat would effect the final result.

[@jedielias76]

Great vids! Lots of great info. Stumbled upon the channel looking into painting my Marvel Legends Stormbreaker. Was thinking of going with graphite powder. And seeing how it reacts to different bases are the any suggestions which bases to use on the different sections of Stormbreaker to ge the different tones? I know it can looka little different live than in the video. Thanks

[@cafecompsico]

Thank you SO MUCH for this. I tested the powder on acrylic resin and it wasn't that awesome. I was testing the finish on Eva foam and it worked great! I tested Mica Powder too, it worked in the same concept! I was curious about the different glazes, but I noticed it has to have some "dent" to it? Your trip to Bill was a life changing experience for me xD

[@Chris-Horii_Korium9]

Good to know; I've got a resin cast of Luv's gun from BR2049 off of Etsy that I'm still deciding what to do with

[@coregeek]

Christopher Horii I have a a kit of that gun as well. I haven’t decided on mine either.

[@jesuscruz6773]

Gonna try it thank you

[@Siansonea]

This is really cool. Now I'm wondering if a bright color glossy paint will impart its hue to the graphite. I am actually thinking of using this technique on a Barbie car, and I'm wondering if the surface can be sealed after the graphite is applied. I guess I'm wondering if the graphite will interfere with adhesion of a sealer, or if the sealer would disturb the inherent mirror-like finish of the graphite. Basically I would want the surface to be durable and not have any transfer if handled.

[@coregeek]

I’m working on a followup with sealers, since MANY have asked. Adhesion shouldn’t be a problem. The issue is finding as sealer that doesn’t dull the the brilliance of the chrome effect.

[@sirfrancisarthur]

Nice man... now white gloss really seems like a glossy white. I am using spray chromes usually AK and Molotow but that stuff is sooo vulnerable and removes a lot of details on small scale.

[@coregeek]

Thanks. Been a while since I posted this. I’ve had quite a few people report various results with white as a base. Mostly that it didn’t work for them. So yeah, no promises.

[@sergiomalizia9822]

Amazing! What do you prefere for the mandalorian helmet? Glossy black, glossy grey, glossy white, or silver? And, do you think graphite powder 98% can be good for it?

[@bilalflier]

how does the graphite stay on the blade ????????

[@magnum1165]

Do you have to do anything to seal the graphite or you just wipe off the excess and you're good?

[@kleber1983]

what happens if you wash it with water? Does the graphite comes out anyhow? thx!

[@NewbridgePiano]

Ok so i'd like to ask if there is a difference in graphite or does any graphite work. Because i bought some graphite powder online and this one didnt seem to get the effect that you got in the video. Do i need to get a different powder? Any feedback on this would be appreciated.

[@coregeek]

NewbridgePiano I think it has everything thing to do with the fineness of the graphite and the base color.

[@NewbridgePiano]

@@coregeek i used glossy white, black and a matte grey on some tested 3d prints i used. 3 without primer and 3 with primer. They all had the same results to my surprise. I also noticed on the jar of your graphite that it said 5 microns. Maybe that has something to do with it?

[@coregeek]

NewbridgePiano Is the graphite you used granular or more powdered?

[@NewbridgePiano]

@@coregeek It feels more powdered than granular

[@jenniferbuffie]

Great Vid- thanks for the Awesome Info!

[@coregeek]

Jennifer Buffie Any time my friend!

[@pauldieken4285]

It looks like the grey is the way I'm going to want to go with what I have in mind...it seems to have more of a carbon steel look to it. Thanks for that info

[@GrunkelGwen]

Friend and I were really wondering, how good the graphit HOLDS on the prop. Does it wear off, so you have to reapply it? Are there problems, when you hold it against other props, that have a finish (especially like Mibenco rubber finish spray)?? Are there differences when using props made of different materials (like foam, pvc, styrofoam, and such)??

[@GrunkelGwen]

also I do like the darker shine much better. Because even if they are props, super shiney chrome on blades look very retro fantasy to me :D

[@thadiuspennington6574]

I’m getting ready to either use powder graphite on my Mandalorian armor My question is does this stuff come off ? I hope not lol

[@heidifryar-uz4is]

What brand gloss paint do you recommend for before graphite? I liked the gloss silver or white you used. Where can I find those base paints?

[@andrewwood6285]

How long does this finish last? Does this finish rub off and continue to be messy?

[@nikushim6665]

If the prop is resin and non-flexible go with tollens reagent (two part spray, that deposits a silver plating) then spray with water followed by a clear coat. That is your absolute best option for a mirror chrome finish. Its pretty much the same process they use for mirroring glass.

[@beta4479]

Graphite over a matte black is a great way to get a polymer look (like firearm bodies) if you use a matte clear coat!

[@foulphilosopher8624]

Straight up sorcery I say. Does this method hold up well as a base for candy or pearlescent paint finish or is it just good for chrome and only chrome.

[@coregeek]

Daniel Moreno I think it could work with a sealer applied first. I’m working on a followup about sealers.

[@G1-D3-0N]

I used the graphite on gloss black for a mandalorian helmet, but it came out way to dark. Going to redo it with a gloss grey and graphite.

[@TheNeuromorph]

How did gloss grey work?

[@G1-D3-0N]

@@TheNeuromorph It came out perfect!

[@TheNeuromorph]

@@G1-D3-0N do you think white will be too bright?

[@G1-D3-0N]

@@TheNeuromorph I don't know, I haven't tried it.

[@TheNeuromorph]

@@G1-D3-0N thanks. Did you use a clear coat on yours? What worked?

[@Atheeni]

Awesome! Thanks for doing these tests! I really liked your finish with Bill but it was a little too dark for what I wanted on my prop. I'm going to give the glossy white try because that finish looks so good! Any suggestions on what kind of sealer to use on the graphite to keep that super high shine? I want to protect it from getting destroyed if it gets caught in some rain or something.

[@coregeek]

Hitsuzen Productions Glossy white did look great! Look for a follow up covering sealers.

[@Atheeni]

@@coregeek ok awesome!

[@Raikoh067]

@@coregeek Any idea when that sealer followup video will be out? I'm looking to apply this to some metal bracers soon, and I'm afraid of an unsealed surface rubbing on people's clothes and whatnot in the convention crouds. Thanks!

[@coregeek]

Raikoh067 Soon!

[@austinlawrencemusic3171]

My graphite comes out black…. Regardless of the under coat of paint. Same graphite as you’re using. What on earth am I doing wrong?

[@wulfgarprops]

Great stuff!

[@Jeankavanaghdop]

Great video, thanks

[@wannabiemuuki]

what is gloss clear? or is it just a clear coat? :) also I did see the other video and did you make 3 coats of gloss black in a row or sand between?

[@Ryhdth]

Hello Eric! Love the work! You mentioned in your video with Bill that you used a glossy clear coat- was it also from Krylon? I am interested in trying this with my two-hander for a convention coming up. And maybe the armor I built too! Thanks!

[@coregeek]

I've used both Krylon Crystal Clear Glossy and Deft Glossy Lacquer with great results.

[@Ryhdth]

@@coregeek Awesome, thank you! I will add one or both or all to my shopping list. Appreciate the help sir!

[@Ryhdth]

Coregeek Creations Hey Eric! I gave this method a whirl this weekend and it worked great! But I am having trouble with the graphite rubbing off and or not clinging to spots on the blade of my sword. Do you have any idea why it might be doing that? I used krylon paint, glossy clear coat, and buffed the graphite in

[@coregeek]

Ryhdth Hmmm. I’m not sure. What base color you using and how may layers of clear?

[@Ryhdth]

Coregeek Creations I used white glossy paint and 2 coats of glossy clear :( both krylon. I even tried one layer atop the graphite to try to keep it in place and it still can be rubbed off

[@RobbieHamburger]

Hey Eric - worried about the graphite rubbing off onto my costume, is that something I should be concerned with, or is there a way to seal this without dulling the shine too much? Using it on a Mjolnir hammer.

[@n2darkness]

Great video! How's the durability of the finish without a seal coat? Can you weather it with acrylic or oil paints?

[@coregeek]

AStivison Hmmmmm, maybe have to address that in another video!

[@n2darkness]

@@coregeek Sounds like a great idea! I look forward to seeing more from you!

[@xTigerGirl91x]

@@coregeek I would love to hear some tips on this :)

[@Guttalaser]

I like more the white gloss base version for a sword blade...but the black gloss can give a different character to a sword and tell a different "story"... i mean... from a movie-prop pov. Anyway... if may i ask... graphite comes in BLACK and even GREY shade. Do you use the black? Have you tried the GREY? TNX

[@dccomicnerd2689]

Thank you for posting this!! I saw this done by another cosplayer but I never knew the process! What would you seal it with though? Does it rub off?

[@pinkandDamaged]

Based on the other video he was talking about apparently once buffed it doesn't seem to rub off they also mentioned that if it starts to dull you can just buff again to make it look shiny again.

[@coregeek]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXnJcnt7mZuSbbM

[@logan91235]

Once it is done, does the graphite come off when handled?

[@coregeek]

Check for my sealer video pinned here.

[@jonmonaghan-vj5cx]

Are you just rubbing the graphite directly on the surface? How does it adhere? Are you using a rag?

[@coregeek]

Yes. Rubbed directly with cotton balls. The graphite is essentially micro metal shards and embeds into the paint/sealer.

[@thadiuspennington6574]

Do you recommend we clear coat the last finish ? And will that help The Grafite to not come off ?

[@coregeek]

It’s up to you. It isn’t totally necessary. Really depends on the use of the item. I also have a video about sealers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXnJcnt7mZuSbbMsi=LZUEaAmK2tcWXzX1

[@arweniacosplay5801]

Holy, this is so amazing :O now i have to look where to buy it in Germany :D thanks

[@coregeek]

Arwenia Cosplay You’re welcome, thanks for watching.

[@johaneggink]

Did you find a supplier in Germany? Cheers, Johan

[@batmakko]

@@johaneggink Check for an art or craft supply store in your area

[@batmakko]

graphite powder is what you are looking

[@lukerogers8473]

Would this work on foam coated With epsilon

[@TheManPrice]

I typically work with foam. Would this work well on foam or on a few coats of plasti-dip (using the colours in your video as a guide)?

[@coregeek]

TheManPrice The final surface is only going to be as good as the prepped surface underneath. Plasti-dip always leaves a bit of a texture so you’ll most likely not have a glassy chrome effect.

[@cafecompsico]

I tested it, you'll have to prepare the Eva with acrylics and it's good to go. Acrylic resin/plastidip doesn't work, unfortunately x/

[@MrDemondal]

Really nice finish. Do you need any kind of top coat over this to protect the finish or just leave it as it is?

[@FutureLaugh]

can you seal this when youre finished? i cant imagine getting black hands whenever handing a prop

[@coregeek]

FutureLaugh kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXnJcnt7mZuSbbM

[@Pescaendirecto]

Awesome video!!! I've got a question, what do you use to seal it and not lose the shiny finish???

[@coregeek]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXnJcnt7mZuSbbM

[@jgarmer]

so do you have to cover it with a top coat to keep it from rubbing off?

[@coregeek]

Not required but if you want to : kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXnJcnt7mZuSbbM

[@NateNook]

I plan on painting a 3d printed sword metallic gold/silver and I watched Bill's video. Would you prefer to start with createx opaque black + gloss or just use krylon fusion black gloss ? I plan on using alclad2 paints you guys used on top!

[@coregeek]

Nate Setiawan Fusion would be fine. Just be sure it plays nice with the Alclads.

[@NateNook]

@@coregeek could I request a video on how you sand your swords from leaving the printer bed to painting?

[@coregeek]

Nate Setiawan I’ll consider doing a video about prepping 3D prints for finishing. Just fyi, the Sword of Athena seen here and in Punished Props video are resin casts from a hand sculpted clay master, no part of it was 3D printed.

[@Bos_Taurus]

could you use this on wood?

[@coregeek]

Sure. As along as it’s prepped with the right base paint.

[@emmanumali13]

Can you use to a foam tho?

[@coregeek]

FROCIDATOR Sure. Just have to have a good gloss base coast.

[@nixland]

Hi again, I just tried the graphite on glossy white and glossy silver. It didn't stick to the surface. Is it because I put glossy clear coat on that white & silver paint?

[@coregeek]

nixland I’m not sure. I’ve always used gloss clear coat and have had no issues with adherence.

[@nixland]

@@coregeek ok thanks. I look again at your video and it said graphite 99.5%. Maybe mine is less than that. :)

[@coregeek]

nixland Possibly. My guess is there is some variable like that making a difference.

[@kitkatznz]

what do you seal it with

[@kitkatznz]

oh thanks I found your video relating to this question

[@billyblanks7302]

Great video. What do you seal it with? Clear coat?

[@thedubstropgamer2200]

Helpful video. Thanks! How long after painting do you want before applying the graphite? Is the paint fully cured?

[@coregeek]

TheDubstropGamer It needs to be dry to the touch.

[@nixland]

Thanks a lot. By the way, is that flat silver or glossy silver?

[@coregeek]

nixland Tamiya Chrome Silver, it’s more of a semi-gloss.

[@jamesash7368]

Would this be conductive enough for electroplating?

[@coregeek]

James Ash I don’t know.

[@jamesash7368]

@@coregeek looks like I know what I'm doing this weekend.

[@AllTheHobbies]

You're a wizard.

[@Fatpumpumlovah2]

Deep dark purple