Do you want to create tonal variation in natural-metal finishes without the frustration of masking natural-metal paints, which are often delicate and easily lifted by tape?

I lay down base coats of other colors, then lightly cover them with a single metallic shade, letting the underlying color create the variation. For aluminum, I paint insignia white; for titanium, insignia red; and for steel, navy or insignia blue. Once those colors dry, I mist on a single metallic shade and get individual panels with different tones.

If I want the metal to look worn and not particularly shiny, I paint the metallic paint over flat colors. If I want a mirror-bright shine, I lay down gloss white, red, or navy; for extreme shine, I’ll buff those colors before a mist of metallic.

Tip submitted by:
Ned BarnettLas Vegas, Nevada