getting that hammered (machined)(corrosive protected) metal look?

[jamieg]

A friend asked me about how to replicate that hammered metal look that occurs on some bare metal cowlings, especially early German. What methods do you folks recommend???

Jamie

[kornbeef]

The machined surface effect I think you mean?

Lots of ways and variations.

Personally I paint my cowls a darkish grey then either with a fine metallic sharpie type pen draw the swirls or paint them with a fine brush. Then let it all dry.... and dry... 

You could then seal them with clear or Klear/future if you wish.

Finally I drybrush with  a light metallic over the entire cowl to sort of blend the swirls in. Do this to a level you feel happy with, weather and shade the panels, details etc then a final light drybrush over the finished cowl to pick out the final details.

I hope this helps, I'm sure others have differing methods. I've tried a few but get best results with this.

One thing to note is German surface machining seems quite random as British is very uniform in application usually. My Method suits the German way.

Keith

[Nigel Jackson]

Hello Jamie

Keith is right in that there are lots of ways and he sets out one which can work fine. I'm sure forum friends will describe other approaches for you.

If your friend is more interested in the random patterning on German cowlings then it's worth checking out the WNW website. Clicking on a cowled aircraft like their Fokker E.1 (early), the front page for that model offers a series of hints and tips. One of these takes the form of a tutorial on reproducing Fokker 'turned' cowls. I don't see why the approach shown couldn't be adopted for more the more uniform British approach.

Best wishes
Nigel

[Ernie]

Jaime, Bertl, one the masters here has installed a little tutorial
on changing new aluminum to a more worn version that is
quite fascinating and worth looking at.

http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=3864.0

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Ernie

[jamieg]

Hi Ernie;

I saw that, but its not what I am talking about. I'm talking about the sort of hammered metal look that occurs on Fokker Eindekker cowls for one.

Jamie

[jamieg]

Hi Keith;

The machined surface effect I think you mean?

Lots of ways and variations.

Personally I paint my cowls a darkish grey then either with a fine metallic sharpie type pen draw the swirls or paint them with a fine brush. Then let it all dry.... and dry... 

You could then seal them with clear or Klear/future if you wish.

Finally I drybrush with  a light metallic over the entire cowl to sort of blend the swirls in. Do this to a level you feel happy with, weather and shade the panels, details etc then a final light drybrush over the finished cowl to pick out the final details.

I hope this helps, I'm sure others have differing methods. I've tried a few but get best results with this.

One thing to note is German surface machining seems quite random as British is very uniform in application usually. My Method suits the German way.

Oh, its machined. I just thought it was the result of hammering the cowling to shape.

The randomness was what led me to believe I was looking at something achieved with a hammer rather than a more modern tool. So would this have been done with a surface grinder to remove casting imperfections or what?

 I was hoping to get a variety of suggestions so he could pick the one he was comfortable with. Besides I have a couple of Eindekkers in the stash myself and I will be looking for the same information down the road.

Jamie

[jamieg]

Hi Nigel;

I suggested that he have a look at the WNW page for hints and tricks, but I am sure that there are more ways than they suggest because I saw many very convincing finishes long before WNW appeared on the scene.

Jamie

[eindecker]

Nigel,
The early Fokkers' metal work was not from machining or hammering, rather it was an anti-corrosive substance applied by hand. Josef Scott's Eindecker Compendium volumes discusses this and I believe there are also discussion threads in this forum. I used a "toothy" aluminum Model Master paint and applied the swirls with a pencil.

[Nigel Jackson]

Many thanks Eindekker for correcting my misunderstanding. It's such a sharing that makes this forum such a great place to be.

Best wishes
Nigel

[coyotemagic]

I use a technique very similar to Keiths.  I first spray a coat of gloss black, then apply dots or swirls (dots for British, swirls for German) with a silver Sharpie, then a light over-spray of buffable aluminum Metalizer.  Once dry, I buff it until I get the desired result.
Cheers,
Bud

[jamieg]

Thanks for the tip, Bud

Jamie