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Tool Review
Bronze
Bronze Molten Metal
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by: Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]

Introduction
Bronze, item DM2291 from Darkstar Miniatures is a color in a new range of acrylic metallic paints - Molten Metals. Molten Metals are formulated to dry permanent while remaining glossy and bright with no need for gloss clear coat. They are also designed to accept polishing to improve the sheen.

Darkstar Miniatures is a UK company that also makes 54mm and 75mm figures and busts in two series, Historical Figures and Fantasy Range. They also make Reaper paints and Darkstar pigments, ink washes, and now Molten Metals.

Molten Metals Bronze
Airbrushes.com carries Molten Metals and kindly sent Bronze for review.

These paints are packaged in soft 17ml squeeze bottles. The bottles are a nice design with a clean but dour appearance, not surprising considering the genre of Darkstar's clientele.

The paint has fine pigments in a medium the consistency that reminds me of Vallejo, or white glue for those who haven't used that brand. That makes it easy to control how much one squeezes out.

Performance
I applied the color directly from the bottle to a resin figure of Bismarck and an old Tamiya GI. Both figures were "primed" with previous Molten Metal color. None of the other pieces were cleaned prior to applying the Bronze. (I like to demonstrate paints based on "rookie mistakes.") I tried airbrushing on the figure and expended shell. Let's see how they worked.

Hand Brushing

Brushing accomplished about 90% one-stroke-coverage.

Airbrushing

Darkstar Miniatures states that for airbrushing the paint need only be thinned water-to-paint at 1 to 10. (Water only.) That ratio did not work well through my Aztec black nozzle, even when I upped the pressure to 25psi. I cut the paint to 1-to-4. The paint sprayed great. Even at 12psi it covered Bismarck with no problem. Cleaning was good with just water, and complete with an airbrush cleaner.

Darkstar Miniatures claims this paint can be polished to a higher sheen after curing for 24 hours; polishing worked in previous reviews.

I shot the color after it dried in several different light conditions/backgrounds so as to present it in some ways many models will see it.

Conclusion
These paints are excellent for any modeling category and genre - military ordnance, Steampunk, railroad, antiquity, classic figures. Anything that needs a raw metallic. Molten Metals is an excellent product for modelers hunting for that perfect acrylic paint. Stored in neat bottles, the paint has a good consistency.

Molten Metals covers as well (90%) with the first pass as other mainstream acrylic paints I have used. Airbrushing also performed highly satisfactorily, even though it required much more thinning than Darkstar instructions.

There has been a dearth of quality metallic acrylic colors for too long and I praise Darkstar for bringing us this fine line. Highly recommended.

Please remember to tell vendors and retailers that you saw Molten Metals here - on KitMaker Network.
SUMMARY
Highs: One-pass coverage by brush is excellent. Airbrushing also performed highly satisfactorily.
Lows:
Verdict: Excellent metallic acrylic paint. Molten Metals is another straight sharp arrow in the quiver of modelers hunting for that perfect acrylic paint.
  Scale: N/A
  Mfg. ID: DM2291
  Suggested Retail: $4.39, £3.50 inc.VAT
  Related Link: Darkstar
  PUBLISHED: Jan 28, 2017
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 95.00%

Our Thanks to Airbrushes.com!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Frederick Boucher (JPTRR)
FROM: TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES

I'm a professional pilot with a degree in art. My first model was an AMT semi dump truck. Then Monogram's Lunar Lander right after the lunar landing. Next, Revell's 1/32 Bf-109G...cried havoc and released the dogs of modeling! My interests--if built before 1900, or after 1955, then I proba...

Copyright ©2021 text by Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]. All rights reserved.



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