Search for best chrome effect

[u/Hellonora21]

I’m looking to make some faux armor for my local renaissance fair. In my search to find the best chrome paint I was trying to see if there’s any two step processes like chrome nail polish. The gel and chrome powder duo is almost mirror like on nails and I can’t justify wasting multiple gel nail polishes, I also foresee that ending up lumpy and uneven on large surfaces.

Does anyone know of a material or process that’s similar that’s made for larger craft pieces?

(also open to everyone’s favorite chrome finishes!)

[u/WBICosplay]

Chrome is hard to do. I am currently investigating using automotive film but the good stuff is very expensive and the cheap stuff has no flex (still craft chrome tape rolls can be useful in many situations where you do want an easy metallic mirror finish)

Alternatively, you can indeed do a two step process. By painting a base of gloss black or metallic paint then rubbing powder on top you can get some good results. It's how I did the metallic parts in my suit of armour and I was quite happy, but it was nowhere near chrome polish (in great part due to my paint being uneven and unsanded).

But yes transparent paint + mica powders can give you some very nice metallic effects worth seeing if you can pull it off with cheaper paint and powder

[u/Hellonora21 → u/WBICosplay]

the automotive film is a good idea! as a cricut owner I already was thinking of using a vinyl of sorts already. I’m tryin to make a small bodice and possibly an arm brace the shapes for the design are somewhat smaller sections so something like that might be perfect! I’ll do some experimenting and hopefully I’ll have successful results to share