How to Paint Beskar armor with Alcad Chrome

[@Sjsharkie777]

I just did a test piece with your method and I’m blown away! It looks amazing! This is a great alternative to Alumaluster!

[@pandapropsncostumes]

Glad it worked out for you!

[@pyronick8588]

I just discovered your KZbin channel and its an absolute godsend! I am beginning my mandalorian build for Halloween / cosplay now and im a bit in a mad scramble as i tend to be a stickler for the details. Having your videos go over each component, breaking it down in painting guides all the way to the chipping and colors is helpful beyond measure! The only thing you could do better is applying links within your comments for places to order it. Heck you could even do affiliate links you deserve it! Thanks for everything!

[@pandapropsncostumes]

Pyro Nick thanks glad you like the channel :)

[@Hypernautz]

Yaay a fellow Canadian! I'm from Toronto! Thanks for this tutorial! I ordered your supplies and im gonna follow your guide! thanks so much!

[@pandapropsncostumes]

East coast!! I’m based on the west coast. :) Good luck!

[@Hypernautz]

@@pandapropsncostumes Awesome!!! thanks!!! XD!

[@SECTION5120]

Very helpful video, thank you. I'm making my own mandalorian armor and I already tried different technics of painting but still not satisfied with the final result. I will certainly try your process. , when you say "Duplicolor gloss clear lacquer", is it some transparent Duplicolor lacquer ? (varnish ? because in France we call it "vernis")

[@pandapropsncostumes]

@@SECTION5120 glad it's helpful! I'm in Canada and the French side of the label says "Enduit Lustre pour lacquer acrylique"

[@SECTION5120]

@@pandapropsncostumes Thank you for your help, I think that the same kind of product we have in France is this one "DUPLI COLOR 385858 Vernis clair-transparent brillant", it's a lacker 1K but it's called "varnish". Correct me if I'm wrong. In any case, thanks for this tutorial because I spent so much time painting and painting again the armor. I could not make the chrome paint last in time, the one that I used is nice but very fragile and deteriorates very quickly. I’m looking forward to try your technique and see the same result as in the video. It’s been 1 year and a half that I work on my armor and I found that it is a real creative challenge especially for the painting part.

[@SECTION5120]

@@pandapropsncostumes At the end of painting, after applying Aclad Chrome paint do you think it's necessary/useful to apply maybe 3 layers of 2K gloss clear coat to protect the paint ? Or, as you're saying in the video, the Aclad Chrome paint (with Duplicolor gloss clear lacquer just before) is strong enough to resist to scratches and friction ?

[@ronfults3844]

Nice tutorial! Thanks brother! Hopefully we can get past this covid19 mess and get back to trooping soon! Stay safe!

[@psmola101]

First of all, I am a huge fan - your vids are my go to for all things Mandalorian. Having said that, there seems to be a disconnect between your narrative in the video and your comments to those asking questions. e.g. in the vid, you say you apply gloss black, then in the comments you say you use flat black. Also in the vid you say sand the gloss black to 600 then apply clear coat. In your response to some viewers you say there is no need to sand the gloss black. I am just wrapping up the priming and sealing of all my armor and nearly ready to start the finishing with Dupli-color gloss black lacquer and clear coat lacquer - I have purchased all the paint in advance and will be starting in a couple of days. I would rather buy more paint in order to get the best results if indeed I purchased the wrong material. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!!!!!

[@pandapropsncostumes]

Hey, thanks for subscribing and commenting! Keep in mind, this was an older video I had made when the Mandalorian first came out. So as time went on, my processes changed. I'll try to address everything you mentioned: Gloss black: gloss black is often hard to achieve. A lot of people make mistakes and we (other builders that do this type of painting a lot) have changed to the following as it is much more forgiving: After smoothing your print, lay down 3 coats of Duplicolor black sandable primer. This lays down very thin and smoothly. Leave 5 minutes between each coat. You can if you want to do a wet sand w 1000 grit if you wish to smooth it out, but often I don't find that necessary. Then use a 2K clear. Wear PPE like a propoer respirator, goggles and gloves! You can get Spraymax 2K glamor gloss in a can. You press a button on the bottom and it releases the catalyst, shake for a few mins, you have 48 hours to use it. If you have the gear like a booth and HVLP gear you can spray it with sprayguns of course. 1 light coat, wait 5 mins, 1 light coat, wait 5, then medium coat. Wait 24 hours. This gives the best gloss finish. Now not only do you have a "gloss black" but I feel thickness of the clear smooths things out and adds depth to the chrome. Now spray your chrome. Wait a few hours and you should still have time to topcoat with another pass of 2K before the can hardens. This is best way. In a pinch I will use the Duplicolor black primer, Duplicolor gloss acrylic lacquer, then chrome. But for Mando beskar finishes, 2K clear is the way to go. Hope that helps!

[@psmola101]

@@pandapropsncostumes Thanks so much for the quick and comprehensive response. Much appreciated!!!

[@theforruner117]

Oooohhh. I almost screwed up and did a white base coat. Black makes more sense

[@TheMillersEntertain]

To summarize your current process: Wash all parts with dish soap and dry 3 coats black duplicolor sandable primer. Wait 5 mins between coats 1000 grit wet sand 2 k clear 1 light coat, wait 5 mins 1 light coat, wait 5 mins Medium coat, wait 24 hours Alclad 3 coats but maintain the opacity Wait a few hours to dry 2 k clear top coat Is this correct? Thanks for all of the tips.

[@pandapropsncostumes]

This is an almost 4 year old video and techniques have changed. My budget fast version would be 3 coats of Duplicolor black primer, fine scotch Brite pad, Duplicolor gloss clear acrylic lacquer. Alclad, leave it uncoated. Applied properly it's just fine for durability. Better version: Duplicolor black, fine scotch bright, 2k gloss, Alumaluster, Dralumen, Alclad or Spaztix, 2k clear. Wet sand 600 works fine, no need for 1000 grit.

[@Garretlike]

hi there, thanks for this helpful video, i do have a lot of questions. i would use army painter black matte as base (is that something that would work? or does it need to be another specific primer that is not specifically for miniature painting?). hence, i would use 2k clear coat high gloss (i don't get the specific mentioned products in europe). how many coats would i need with a 2k coat in this case? also, would you recommend a 2k clear coat and also, would you recommend wet sanding when using a 2k clear coat? isn't the purpose of 2k coats that they should not necessarily need to be sanded? in your description you are mentioning buffing. what does buffing mean? like cleaning/wiping over it with a soft cloth after using alclad chrome? regarding sanding before any priming or coating, how do you normally fill gaps between layer lines? im currently trying myself on brushing over 2 to 3 coats of liquid resin and quickly drying it with a uv lamp inbetween the coats for a few seconds. im just not sure how much is needed and would it be advisable to sand it down to where the actual fdm material is again? im not sure if there is any disadvantage on coating an fdm print with too much liquid resin. sry that there are so many qestions, but i wanna try and get as many steps on my first cosplay right. :)

[@gettingfitat5015]

Definitely subscribed!! That looks FANTASTIC!! I just printed my first Mando bucket. In the process now of sanding....and sanding....and sanding. I have never airbrushed, but just got a kit from Amazon last week (haven't even played with it yet!). My Alclad chrome comes tomorrow. I DEFINITELY needed to see this video before attempting to paint my helmet! Thank you!!!! Any tips for a newbie to airbrushing? I bought the Gocheer Professional Airbrush kit...

[@RonPerron]

Excellent video! From a fellow metro vancouverite. Where is a good place to find Alclad in our area?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

Local! Burnaby Hobbies carries Alcad. I believe Magic Box Hobbies does as well.

[@mrfishjersey]

Hi, you said 2 to 3 coats of Alclad, are you letting each coat dry fully or just tacky dry? Roughly how long between the coats did you leave it? I get what you said about the clear coat, thank you, tacky between the clear coat is good......I'm just wondering about the Alclad coats.

[@pandapropsncostumes]

The Alclad dries very quickly. One coat is dry before you even start the second. I generally don't wait. Just a few minutes tops. The lacquer base they use dries very quickly.

[@zachysmusic]

If I use Alclad clear, do I want the Alclad gloss clear, or Alclad Aqua acrylic gloss varnish?

[@DMAbCD]

Awesome video. I am curious about the chrome paint. In order to use it in a air brush, do you have to thin it down before? Thank you

[@pandapropsncostumes]

No, you can airbrush spray it right out of the bottle. Shake it for a good minute, pour a d spray right away at 15-18psi

[@DMAbCD]

@@pandapropsncostumes Awesome. Thank you for the information.

[@luischevere4677]

Will you gloss clear coat it over the chrome for more shine?

[@theultimatesteelshooter8610]

Thx for this video! Couple of quick questions… do you not use dupicolor primer sealer after wet sanding to 600 grit? Also you appear to not do any sanding between coats of the gloss black or the clear? I’ve seen in the graphite process where they wet sand the clear to 2000 grit then use a wax based car polish to take out any fine scratches from the 2000 grit, then apply the graphite

[@pandapropsncostumes]

No, no sealer is needed. There is no sanding needed between the black base and the clear coat. Go check out an autobody shop - when they paint the base, do they sand before they clear coat? No, they don. They let the paint do the work for them! You should only ever wet sand the clear if the clear did not come out smoothly and there are enough layers of clear to take the sanding. If the clear is too thin, you risk sanding past the clear coat. You can use car polish if you want to, personally I am not a fan of graphite powder. It looks good in photos but it tends to rub on hands and clothing and is not a good permanent solution. Neither is clear coating over graphite powder. Just think about that for a minute - if you clear coated over baby powder, would it stick? No, because it's not a stable surface. I think graphite powder is a good solution for smaller props that aren't handled much, but I personally don't like to use it much. I hope that clears things up :)

[@theultimatesteelshooter8610]

@@pandapropsncostumes thx for the detailed response. I’m going to do the entire process on a small test piece first to make sure I know what I’m doing. All my armor is currently wet sanded to 320 and several pieces have been wet sanded to 600 so I’m just about ready to do the painting. What’s your opinion of that 2K clear coat? I do really like the dupicolor paints as the nozzles are really nice …

[@earthwormjim2003]

Great tutorial! question in regards to weathering I know a lot of people use oil paints but from what I gather alclad doesn't play nice with oils unless it's clear coated first , will spraying the alclad while the clear is still tacky like you suggest make it so I wouldn't have to use something like aqua gloss in order to weather?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

You can use water based paint that looks like oils. I don't use a clear coat on my Alclad chrome. Thats just me. I use Liquitex water based acrylics, thinned with water and sponge it on for weathering. I can't speak to oil based weathering as I haven't used it before and I don't have time for it to dry. Sometimes I do stuff for TV and film and there's no time for that or there would be complaints about it from actors / performers.

[@astrophysicistguy]

Question about wetsanding to 600 … once you do that the gloss black no longer looks glossy. You didn’t say anything about polishing it. Do you not do that and just apply 3 coats of dupicolor gloss clear? Also, you don’t do any wet sanding and polishing of the clear? You go straight to airbrushing allclad?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

So I don't use gloss black. I use Duplicolor Hot Rod black primer, which is matte. Then I use a Duplicolor gloss clear lacquer. In a perfect world, you should use 2K gloss clear. Clear coats tend to level more than standard paint. The benefit of doing the primer clearcoat method is that Duplicolor black primer lays very thin and smooth. The clear coats tend to self level. This generally yields a much better "gloss black" finish than actual gloss black paint, which people have a hard time laying down smoothly. Also, the clear coat allows for some light to pass through the chrome paint which creates more depth in the chrome finish

[@astrophysicistguy]

@@pandapropsncostumes Thx! that makes more sense! Like you said, I’m finding iit hard to lay down a nice even coat of gloss black paint even with the automotive grade nozzle on dupoicolor. Is there a reason you use the dupicolor lacquer clear vs the enamel clear they make?

[@astrophysicistguy]

@@pandapropsncostumes i actually used that same primer when I did my armor using the graphite rub technique and it was easy to get a nice smooth finish. I then used dupicolor acrylic enamel gloss clear prior to the graphite rub. It came out amazing but it doesn’t last. After just one Con the chest armor looked like it had been in a battle with that Mudhorn. That’s when I decided to repaint the armor using allclad. I always wonders why people used gloss black and then gloss clear … now I understand … lol. Any specific reason you use gloss clear lacquer vs the enamel?

[@codygottman2642]

Soooo do you get 90% of of what alumiluster is going to give you when you paint with alclide Crome.

[@pandapropsncostumes]

Pretty much, yes. Its all about the coats underneath. You want a glass smooth gloss black. Black and gloss clear gives the best results

[@gettingfitat5015]

Question for you: when you put the black gloss base coat on, do you sand that? My black is showing some orange peel effect on it, and I'm not sure of the next step...

[@pandapropsncostumes]

Getting Fit at 50 If you have orange peel, yes you need to sand it. You likely have oils or contaminants on the surface. You can wash your part with dish detergent and water rinse to remove the oils first. Let it dry thoroughly before painting

[@nicholaschopp8052]

Great stuff! About how much Alclad do you think is needed for a full set of Beskar?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

You can do a full Beskar with 5oz :)

[@iviaverick52]

You'd be surprised how hard it was to find this painting technique. Not sure if you have any recommendations for getting a similar finish without an airbrush, I'm wanting something close without having to invest in a bunch of hardware and expensive paints.

[@obiwan7708]

I'm experimenting with dark grey high gloss rattle can paint and a graphite rub. It is ok.... but I plan to attempt this process on my finished product.

[@Sjsharkie777]

I have another question concerning the look of beskar armor. I’ve seen a lot of fan made helmets painted with Alumaluster that appear almost black in certain lighting. I also bought a fan made helmet painted in Alumaluster , and on camera and in photos it looks very similar to the shots on the Tv show as far as the appearance of the armor in color. However when you hold the piece in person, it appears much darker to the naked eye. So what I’m asking is. …is it better to paint at a higher opacity so that armor does not look black or dark under certain lighting.?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

Honestly, it depends on if you're going for what we call "screen accurate" versus "prop accurate". Remember Han Solo's Hoth jacket? In the movie, and toys, it's dark blue. In real life, its brown. It was lighting and color correction that made it look blue and we remember it as blue. Beskar on the show is painted with Alumaluster over gloss black, at about 70% opacity or something like that. They did lots of tests to see what looked best on camera. So the choice is really yours. Do you want fans or kids to see you as they remember you (brighter / more opaque) or is this a shelf collectible you are making and you want it to be "prop accurate"? That's kind of your own decision. I hope that helps!

[@oNAGAo]

Do you have any recommendations for adding weathering on this sort of chrome? Your videos have been incredibly helpful, but I worry about using the same weathering techniques on this that would otherwise apply to, say, a storm trooper. I can't decide between a light wash, attempting to use the airbrush for it, or just leaving it alone and foregoing the weathering altogether.

[@pandapropsncostumes]

You can use watered down acrylics just fine. Dab with a sponge or brush and wipe off.

[@oNAGAo]

@@pandapropsncostumes Much appreciated, thank you.

[@nickn271]

I’m having issues with the gloss paint being foggy/bubbly in some areas. Some areas look really good. Any advice?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

You probably have not prepped the surface properly, or are using poor paints, or the environmental conditions are not good. Foggy finishes usually occur when there is a temperature change. Like painting in the cold, bringing parts inside to a room thats too warm, or vice versa. Bubbly sounds like orange peel? What paints are you using exactly? If its Rustoleum, that usually is the culprit. Its terrible for props IMO. If you watch the video, is easier to get a good gloss from using a black primer, then a gloss clear. Its usually more forgiving. Using a gloss black paint is totally possible but the surface prep must be perfect and your paint technique and conditions must be perfect. Reply with some more detailed info and I will try to help

[@nickn271]

@@pandapropsncostumes I think it was a couple of different things. One it was super humid outside. So I brought it in the garage and it seemed to have done better. The other issue seemed to be that I was spraying too far away. I did a test where I sprayed closer and that looks better. I was using Rustoleum lacquer and Krylon triple think crystal clear glaze. I may look for the paint you recommended in my area.

[@nickn271]

I did a test piece that I painted the black and clear coat but the print failed so it was always going to be a test. It took more than half of the Alclad bottle and it still didn’t look quite like yours. I was spraying at 15psi about 6 inches away. Any idea what I could be doing wrong? I will say the clear coat was completely dry. Maybe that was my issue.

[@pandapropsncostumes]

You're doing something wrong for sure. No way you need half a bottle for that. I can do a whole helmet with about half a bottle. What airbrush are you using exact size and model? Did you shake the bottle for a minute?

[@nickn271]

@@pandapropsncostumes I’m using the Avanti airbrush from Harbor Freight. I did shake the bottle up and all of the sediment at the bottom was mixed in when I was done.

[@tapati8467]

what airbrush, compressor and nozzle do you have?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

In this video I used a simple Paasche H single action airbrush with the stock nozzle. I use a silent airbrush compressor with a tank. Always get one with a tank as that will give you consistent pressure at high or low pressure. A cheap diaphragm compressor can't do that, they tend to sputter

[@tapati8467]

@@pandapropsncostumes ok thx alot and i couldnt find the duplicolor gloss clear that u were talking about is it region specific?

[@mml3140]

Out of curiosity have you tried this technique with water based systems ? I'm guessing there'd be compatibility issues.

[@pandapropsncostumes]

You could use Createx. No one really makes a water based chrome that looks as good as lacquer but Createx is close

[@Yalah_]

I have a weird question, after applying the gloss black should the gloss affect be sanded away?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

You can wet sand it with 1000 grit

[@Yalah_]

@@pandapropsncostumes Would a black primer and clear gloss lacquer be a could alternative to using the black lacquer? I just can't get the black lacquer to stick onto what i'm spray painting, and what does stay appears cracked and not glossy at all. Could this be an issue with sanding?

[@SciFiRocks123]

What is the brand and name of the clearcoat you use for the black base?

[@andrewgilarski6698]

What size nozzle are you using on your airbrush and how far are you retracting the needle?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

In this video, I am using a single action Paasche H airbrush. If you are using a dual action, i would suggest a 3mm and spraying at 18PSI all the way open / back

[@guillaume8417]

Thanks for these explanations, what needle size for your airbrush do you use? Sincerely, Guillaume

[@pandapropsncostumes]

I have different airbrushes, two dual action Iwatas and two single action Paasche H models. I use the Paasche for this type of work. They have side cups :)

[@guillaume8417]

@@pandapropsncostumes thank you but your needle size is 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, ... ?

[@Jaze2022]

does it dry hazy like that? or does it become a mirror finish like real chrome?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

If you watch the video and listen to the commentary, I did state that I rushed that shoulder because I had a convention I was trying to finish it for. If I had wet sanded the black and clear, it would have been more reflective. Take a look at the ammo rounds. They are much more reflective than the shoulder. It all comes down to how much time and effort you put into preparing the piece before you spray the chrome :)

[@Ky13_]

Would this same method apply to the Bracers/gauntlets?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

All that armor can be painted the same way. My helmet is painted the same way

[@Ky13_]

@@pandapropsncostumes awesome, as far as prep goes. I have my pieces printed and I just finished doing a good sanding on all the pieces. Should I glue them together and the. Use the filler primer or prime each individual piece then glue it?

[@gehrkea]

Can you use clear coat over the chrome?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

You can use 2K clear or water based clears like Liquitex and Createx, or Alclad Aqua Gloss. But all clear coats will diminish the reflectivity slightly. Some more so than others.

[@riokeast393]

Can you show how to keep the chest plate sit on the vest?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

FutureRelic26 It just velcroes on. Sew loop Velcro on the flak vest and adhere adhesive hook Velcro to the underside of the chest armor

[@riokeast393]

Panda Props & Costumes oh ok

[@engineerofalltrades]

What size needle did you use?

[@Jeerin_]

How would you paint at 60% opacity with alumalustee

[@pandapropsncostumes]

You paoint your black primer base, gloss clear (lacquer but ideally 2K clear) then you spray the Alumaluster on but you don't cover it with 10 coats. You apply it on more like a dusting rather than direct spraying. The 60% refers to allowing the black and clear to show through. So Imagine if it took 3 "coats" to completely cover the black. You would only spray about 2 coats worth to achieve the 60%. You need to practice this technique before you do an important part like a helmet etc

[@thomaskuerlemann2981]

what gloss clear do you use?

[@pandapropsncostumes]

Thomas Kuerlemann I personally don’t use clear coat. When applied properly Alclad is as durable as any other paint. See my other video here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIKsXoZ9ZclmrKM if you feel you need to clear coat Alclad, use Alclad Aqua gloss clear and then 2K clear on top

[@thomaskuerlemann2981]

@@pandapropsncostumes I thought you mentioned that you clear coat prior to applying the alclad paint?

[@markdavis7032]

Do you have any recommendations for airbrush kits? Thanks.

[@pandapropsncostumes]

I like to use single action Paasche H airbrushes for props. Most props are blaster sized, so a dual action isn't necessary. Note I do have two dual action brushes as I used to be an illustrator but I haven't used them in years :)

[@markdavis7032]

@@pandapropsncostumes Thank you!