Chrome
The image above illustrates how variations in paint thickness can impact the final finish, even when the underlying primer provides a consistent grit level. Applying multiple layers and completing the process with a slower airbrushing pass helps achieve a smoother surface. (from left to right: 1,2,3,4,5)
With chrome applied to the 4th and 5th pieces, a noticeable difference remains evident even after five layers of chrome. This demonstrates that the smoothness of the chrome finish is highly dependent on the smoothness of the underlying paint layer.
Unlike standard colors, achieving a flawless chrome finish demands a higher level of skill and precision in airbrush control.
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The direction of airbrush
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Distance between nozzle and surface
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Airbrush moving speed
- Air pressure (Ideally 40+ psi.)
Note: Allowing the paint to run out while continuing to spray air onto the surface can disrupt the finish, potentially causing blurring or unevenness.
Colour-Shift
Color-shifting paints are available in both lacquer and acrylic paints under various names (e.g., “Mr. Crystal Color” by Mr. Hobby).
The underlying base color remains visible from certain angles, significantly influencing the final appearance.
Note: The green/blue combination provides a more pronounced contrast, while blue/purple and gold/red combinations produce subtler effects.
The underlying colour of left is white, while the underlying colour of right is black.
In general, both colour shift and chrome perform better on a glossy black surface.
Fluorescent
The picture on above shows how fluoescent colour perform. The mechanisms of fluorescence and phosphorescence are quite similar, as both involve the absorption of UV light and its conversion into visible light. The key difference lies in the duration of the visible light emission. In general, the intensity of light is much stronger from fluoescent, but it fades immdiately without UV.
