Large Scale Central

Method: Make painted wood look like metal?

Problem Solving
#1

In completing a trolley from a wood kit, my painted finish efforts on the roof only continued to accuate the wood grain. This was after a sealer, and spraying with clear acrylic lacquer. My car restoration instinct led to a product called EVERCOAT brand Polyester Glazing Putty. Mixed with a Home Depot sold red cream catalyst, this very fine grain putty spreads soooo smoothly and fills the grain of the wood. It does not cause the grain to rise per the fluids of lacquer or sealers. The outcome, after a 400/500 wet/dry grit sanding and light application of a spray can primer, was a metal-smooth finish. No grain showed after two coats of spray can high gloss black epoxy. I used the same technique in eliminating wood grain in restoring a rare 1912 Model T wood body Tourabout.

Evercoat makes a large number of finishing products obtained from automotive finishing suppliers. The Polyester Glazing Putty comes in a small can and if kept sealed will last for years.

Wendell

#2

Would like to see some photo and thank for the infromation

#3

Wendel;
You are such a tease.
We need pictures.
So what you are saying is I can make a shed out of Popsicle sticks, and that stuff will make it look like a steel shed? :slight_smile:
We need pictures.

#4

Photos? I will ask our daughter – the photo human - to help.
Wendell

#5

You could layer over it with the metal foil duct tape.

#6

Jerry-
For the “stainless” steel look, you are right. The difficulty in any piece wider than the reflective tape is in running two lengths side-by-side and not showing the seam. Being able to apply a surface that can be block sanded, primed, and painted as if it were metal – and achieve a non-grain finish-- has been a challenge until the use of the body filler. Bondo, or other products of type may work as well – the Evercoat Polyester is a very fine material compared to some other products that have various binders (finite shreds of polyester) for strength, which require surfacers prior to painting.

#7

If you want to make complex plastic shapes (or even wood) appear like natural metal, stainless steel, or polished aluminum you could try “Flitemetal”. I use it frequently for R/C aircraft. It is amazing to use…but somewhat expensive. Comes in bigger sheets so no seams. I usually have some odds and ends lying around the shop but can’t find any at the moment. www.flitemetal.com

#8

You could also get metal acrylic vinyl from your local sign shop. Comes in rolls about 18" to 2" wide. Variety of metal finishes from brushed aluminum to gold and chrome. Cut it to size, peel off the backing, spray the object with a mix of water/drop of dish soap and squeege it on.