Large Scale Central

polished brass finish to a plastic dome

Problem Solving
#1

I am needing to give a polished brass finish to a pair of domes for my LGB mogul. She was missing her steam and sand dome as purchased. Found replacements but they are in yellow for the bumblebee mogul. The tops need to be black, easy enough to fix. But the middle of both domes were polished brass as built by LGB. Any ideas of maybe some decal material from Hobby Lobby ect that I can apply to give the look of the original plated finish? I have tried the polished brass look paint in the past with less than desired results. Thanks Mike

#2

Mike

I don’t know the diameter of the domes but perhaps you can get thin walled K&S brass tubing in that size and cut it to slide over then polish it? Another option would be (very tedious though) “gold leaf” paper (available in brass) at Michaels craft store. I have worked with it in the past but it is very tedious.

Back to the brass tubing, if you cannot find it through K&S. Check out the plumbing section at your big box stores. Look for decorative escutcheons as well.

Just some thoughts

#3

Bare metal foil makes a “gold” foil. I have some and was thinking of using it to represent brass. I am not sure how well (smooth) it will go onto a surface though.

http://www.bare-metal.com/bare-metal-foil.html

#4

Model Masters makes buffable metallic paint. Might give that a try.

#5

I used their Aluminum and platinum paint. It buffs up to nice gloss, but I didn’t quite get a polished metal finish out of it. Maybe I done did it wrong.

#6

Actually for that matter if you have a graphics shop in your area see if the have any brass looking vinyl ?

#7

I’m hoping you find a tube large enough so I can then suggest cutting the dome in half and insert each section into a correct length of tubing.

K&S Special Shapes is where I’d look 1st.

John

#8

John Caughey said:

I’m hoping you find a tube large enough so I can then suggest cutting the dome in half and insert each section into a correct length of tubing.

K&S Special Shapes is where I’d look 1st.

John

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#9

Thanks for the great ideas, I will research them and see where it leads me. Mike

#10

Mike,

I’ve used Bare metal foils that Dave noted, specifically the chrome variety it works great. Not sure how it would work in this circumstance but suspect it would fine.

Perhaps a brass foil tape with adhesive would simplify your effort. I did a “Google” search and found lots of offering’s.

You might be able to find a shiny brass ribbon from gift wrapping suppliers as well…

Michael