Thanks a lot for the response S.C.,Really Appreciate the advice! The color I'm going for is metallic blue, so I'd be using a and I'm really hoping not to have to mix clears for the right shade, but we'll see! It sucks because no one near me sells Tamiya, only Citadel, so I have to order them online sight unseen. This one will be a daunting custom in many ways, Wish me luck!

the only local place I found that has them is a store called "hobbytown usa". I had never been there before or knew it was around til I looked it up. not sure where you are but try seeing if you have one around.

This might be a dumb question, but I was inspired by your use of tamiya clear red. My custom in question will won't be red, but I've decided to go with trying the tamiya clear over silver method. Can tamiya clear paints be painted on with paint brush or do they have to be sprayed on with an airbrush?

I've heard they work much better with an airbrush, but I have never tried one. I just used a regular brush. when I made my titanium man I used a brush and it seemed to have a darker swirl effect to it because I was trying to get a lighter green than the color of that clear paint. the green is very dark, so if you use it intend for it to be as dark as what you see in the jar. the red is brighter so you can layer it over and over and itll stay the one nice even red. I have the yellow as well and it goes on much like the red. havent tried the blue yet. I don't know which color you are using but plan for it to be the same light or dark as the color you see in the jar. you can't really put it on any thinner with a brush for a lighter effect without getting the swirl and it has a point where more coats won't make it any darker. I suggest trying to put on one even layer, let it dry and see how well it covered. sometimes the first coating doesn't lay smooth with barer spots, but theyll disappear in the second coat and its all smooth in the following coats once youve reached the full color. it gives it a kinda candy effect. I usually use a matte sealer on all my figures, but over this clear paint it takes all the gloss out of it. if you want it to be shiny don't seal it unless you use a glossy one. hope this helps. if you are going somewhere that sells tamiyas I highly suggest their silver (beautiful bright metallic silver, brighter than any citadel and usually my last drybrush on silver parts. and their black is a great glossy black, very useful for certain effects.

Thanks S.C. Looks great and I'm sure it looks even better in person! You got some sick paint skillz, Love your Tick customs!

Looks really good, man! The blue lights really jump out at you! Is there one brand you like for metallics, or do you do tamiya clears on top of silver to get the metallic look?

thanks davey. heres what I used

the golds are a citadel gehennas gold base, black wash, then drybrush in citadel auric armour gold and testors shiny gold.

the reds were done in all silvers first, citadel leadbelcher for a base, black wash, then drybrush with citadels iron breaker, runefang silver and then tamiyas beautiful metallicy silver on top, then several coats of the tamiya clear red.

Love it, brother!

thanks necro, much appreciated.

much, much better. Man, I love Tamiya clear paints. They make such a cool finish, like the one you got here..

thanks ringo, I like them too. I usually tone them back a bit when I seal them but I decided not to on this one and let him be shiny.

Looks good, but it looks like brush strokes in the gold?
Maybe it is just the picture.
Otherwise great job!

I was getting that in my golds too.
Gold gets gloppy easily.
I learned to really water it down, put down several thin coats to build up color, and you can get smooth golds. Gold is just the worst for that sort of thing.

yeah I need to replace one of my golds. I think its the citadel gehennas gold which I usually use as my base gold.

thanks s.p., glad you like him.

Nice work buddy, Really fits with your other IM now.

thanks h.g.

Looks good brother! Stands out now!

thanks supa, much appreciated.