Experimenting with metallic finishes for props and cosplay using graphite powder

What's the best way to achieve a shiny metallic finish? Airbrush? Spray paints? Lacquers? What about graphite powder and a bit of elbow grease? Whistler joins me in the shop to see what different substrates mean for graphite powder finishes. We try applying different amounts of graphite powder to white, grey, and black surfaces and get very different results!
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[@AntonioCorneal]

I started using graphite to finish recently for my lightsaber builds, and I find the white holds on the gloss black the best. I find that it keeps rubbing off easily when I use white paint, but I suppose it depends on the type of paint too! Overall very pleased with the finishes I get

[@HarryHeck2020]

I've seen people get a mirror finish using Primer--> black high-gloss urethane paint --> chrome airbrush paint --> brushing smooth with paper towel --> apply graphite powder smoothing with a paper towel then covering it all with a water based-clear coat to protect the chrome paint. The last step is hard apparently because graphite is hydrophobic. Getting the water based clear-coat to the right consistency using surfactants (so that the clear-coat doesn't bead up and make you have to start over) seems to require near alchemic mastery. On a side note, graphite is minimally-toxic non-metallic layered carbon molecules. You need not worry about metallic poisoning. The gloves or not absolutely necessary if only to make it easier to wash your hands. Inhaling it can lead to lung and bronchial irritation, but it is heavy stuff and not likely to be in suspended particle form. Ingesting it can lead to problems in large quantities so keep it away from people who like to eat random stuff. Very nice experiments, I have been wondering some of the things you answered in this video. Thank you.

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

I'm very glad that you found the video helpful, and I really appreciate the tips for finishing and safety! Lacking an airbrush, I don't think that we'll be doing that particular test, but we might try something similar with a mirror-finish lacquer and compare it to lacquer + graphite. Thanks for watching!

[@pierobiscari7539]

So the modpodge with water can be a good clear coat for graphite?

[@KevinLopez-it6dg]

Awesome video, this is going to come in very helpful for my Mandalorian cosplay👍🏼👍🏼

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Thank you very much! Good luck with your Mando, I'm considering one myself but I'm not much for the con scene. It would probably just be a very expensive Halloween costume, in the end. :)

[@inhabitantwaps3qs803]

I’m using it for my mando helmet also

[@Del350K4]

Thumbs up for this informative yet charming family video! I was actually looking for confirmation that white is the best base colo(u)r to use if you´re looking for a chrome-like sheen. I found my confirmation here, but was also touched by the father/daughter quality time you guys were enjoying. Thanks for posting : )

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Thanks so much for commenting! We're very glad it was helpful. 😊 What are you working on that needs the chrome finish?

[@Del350K4]

@@LoveMakeShareTV It´s the flash-hider on the tip of the barrel of an improvised DL44 blaster : )

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

@@Del350K4 Very cool! I'm going to start integrating graphite finishes in more of what I do for sure. It's so easy and so good-looking.

[@Del350K4]

@@LoveMakeShareTV It does look incredible, doesn´t it? I´ve been thinking of experimenting with graphite over a very dark blue to see whether it might resemble a blued finish : )

[@RyanClarky]

Very helpful! All the dad points! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 I am researching how graphite powder works over colors.

[@AndreNitroX]

Most impressive you made this a fun tutorial

[@rogerborg]

Super wholesome, and super helpful: I was just wondering if I could some spare graphite lube in lieu of rub-n-buff for highlighting. I reckon I'll try mixing it with linseed oil as well - thanks for the inspiration.

[@saul94923]

Flat black looks super cool

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

We'll have to try it! I think our next step is going to have to be a really comprehensive comparison of what all sorts of different colours and finishes look like. :)

[@Dream_Blades]

nice video bro , now i can give a cool metallic finish to my swords. thanks for sharing this one..

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Very glad you found it useful!

[@johnson9195]

Good information! Teaching young minds is very awesome!

[@CaptnHampton22]

Does the white with graphite ever get a consistent finish? It looks a little patchy?

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

It will, eventually. We weren't using the best tools & were moving pretty fast, but there are lots of examples out there of graphite on white looking pretty good! You just need patience & persistence.

[@CaptnHampton22]

@@LoveMakeShareTV thanks and for the record, your sword looks incredible. I bought the same purple spray paint for the one I'm working on, but I think I'm going to try black high gloss with a chrome spray for the blade.

[@thunder2434]

Great video :) Try a Dark Blue base for a gunmetal Color.

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Love this! I'd still love to return to graphite and do a bunch of tests to showcase the different finishes we can get.

[@thedoctor4269]

Great comparisons! Bonus dad points!

[@ememeable]

Thankyou

[@Rainbologie]

Did we have to fix graphite powder After that with some products ?

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Great question! I've seen folks use waxes and things to fix the graphite in place and try and maintain shine, but any clear-coat will definitely dull the finish. It's pretty durable once you get to your desired shine and buff it a little. If it's something that needs to be handled constantly, you probably want to go a different route, but it doesn't come off quickly and you can refresh the finish easily just by buffing on more graphite.

[@AquilaTheThunderer]

Did you put anything on it prior to graphite powder? Primer or seal?

[@FossilBox]

Super helpful, thanks! Question: If I did this on a prop, would I need to finish it with a clear coat? Does it rub off?

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Glad you enjoyed it! The finish can be damaged but a clear coat will likely dull the shine quite a bit. I would recommend just buffing some more graphite into the area that needs repair.

[@FossilBox]

@@LoveMakeShareTV Thanks! I just ordered some for my custom Mandalorian helmet. I'm gonna shine it up like a Naboo Starfighter!

[@meatminecraftlol]

would you be able to suggest a varnish or clear coat to stop the graphite from rubbing off without dulling the shine?

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Hi! Generally I've seen people online have success with something like a floor wax or furniture polish. Rattle-can clear coat seems to have a negative effect on the shine. But the finish is quite durable and of it does rub off a bit it's easy enough to reapply!

[@chrissnider9555]

How would this turn out if you used a dark brown gloss paint? Maybe bronze-like?

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

I'm hoping to return to this soon to test a bunch of colours and finishes... I suspect everything will end up a little silvery, I'm not sure how much colour will end up coming through, but I'm game to experiment!

[@aaronramly1705]

please try it with cheapest spray can basecoat chrome, silver , grey with this graphite powder. try apply it dry & a bit tacky. i want to see the result

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Still planning on going back to this for a more comprehensive test! Stay tuned!

[@lugiaaaa]

Does the coating fall off over time?

[@gnccreations277]

Thank you dearest both of you? You comform something what I expected, you make me income

[@SkullSquadronAddict]

Do you use clear coat to protect the finish?

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Nope! Clearcoats dull the finish, generally. I've seen people have better luck with Finish. I wouldn't recommend this for items you need to handle all the time, since you will get some rubbing off on your hands over time, but it's great for low-contact items. You can always just add a little graphite powder and shine up areas that get dull or damaged.

[@Jetblaaque_collective]

Would this work on an aluminum surface? And does it come off on your hands if you handle it afterwards?

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

I don't think it would work on aluminum - my understanding is that it works on painted surfaces because the graphite particles can sort of jab into the surface and adhere there. I don't think the graphite particles would be sharp enough or hard enough to do that to metal. As for coming off on your hands - it'll be a sliding scale. The more you handle it the more it'll come off. I wouldn't use it for something I'm constantly handling, but YMMV. Happy making!

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Thank you for sharing this insight!

[@astronemo6424]

This is such a cute and interesting video! Just a question, since I'm not too good at understanding spoken English and I don't know if you already answered this question in the video: should the graphite layer be sealed in any way? I'm experimenting right now since I don't know how to seal paint on foam, I tried using a "polyurethan paint" which is supposed to have a shiny finish, but it just dulls the graphite's effect; I also read about people using hairspray to seal the graphite layer, but it's even less shiny than the one with the other sealant, so I'm kind of disappointed :/ I think the graphite layer should be sealed because it might get fringerprints on, but I really don't know how. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you in advance, and sorry if I wrote too much haha

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Great question! In general it seems like people don't seal these finishes, for the exact reason you said - it dulls the shine. It's a pretty durable finish and if it does start to wear off, you can just polish it up with more graphite to refresh the shine. Glad you enjoyed the video! Hope this helps!

[@astronemo6424]

@@LoveMakeShareTV Thank you very much!

[@Raigurren]

Someone actually tested this with different sealing methods... All did affect the shine... Except floor wax, specially Pledge Floor wax made it keep its shine and the prop they made looks stunning

[@stevesloan6775]

I recently used some graphite anti cease.... that stuff gets everywhere like nothing else!! The tiniest smidge could write a pencil line too the moon!! Do you coat the piece in a clear coat? I mean what do you actually use this application for? Great your including you kids when they’re young. The love it ya!! My girls are 20 and 22 now. I so miss them at that age, doing cool art projects with them. Papier-mâché masks taught them patience and good things take good time. 🤜🏼🤛🏼😎🇦🇺🤓🍀

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Steve, I know this is an old comment but I wanted to thank you for your comment. We just added a new member of the family and I hope to get her engaged with our creative adventures (and misadventures) too. As far as your questions go, to help you (long after the fact) or someone else coming by: Applications for the graphite metal effect: there's a lot of propmaking and costuming applications, nothing overly practical, just cosmetic. It's a relatively inexpensive, durable-ish finish that can be easily touched up. We didn't use a rattle-can clearcoat on this, unlike many other projects. My understanding from reading about others' experience is that it will dull the shine, as it will with most fake metallic finishes. Maybe a clear floor polish would be OK.

[@jtbmetaldesigns]

I saw graphite powder at an artist supply house for $7 per pound. I want some now. I want to mix graphite with acrylic medium and airbrush graphite paint on abstract sculpture made from steel. Steel with graphite coating would be beautiful and imposing. Graphite might even have antitrust properties. I’ll let you know what I get out of this.

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Please do let me know if you have any luck! I think one of the benefits of this approach is that you get a coating of more or less uniform thickness, which makes it very even... But so does airbrushing! I do know that putting a clearcoat over top will dull the shine, so I'd be curious to know what happens in an acrylic medium.

[@_DARTH2602]

and , with bright red, blue,.... ?

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Good question! Have wanted to get back to this and try other colours and whatnot. We planned a whole ULTIMATE GRAPHITE CHALLENGE but life happens and we moved on to other projects. Maybe now that winter's coming we'll come back around to it. :)

[@shaffiemutalib889]

U are wrong, u need tu use facial cotton for rubbing the graphite powder

[@LoveMakeShareTV]

Cotton balls might have held the graphite powder better but this clearly worked! We'll try that next time we're doing stuff with graphite.