Aluminum Black Detailing!

[RevanReborn]

Thanks guys!  Hope these pics are ok Zren, just took them in broad daylight so can see the saber a bit as well I hope lol?  Yeah that old look I think has a lot to do with the aluminum blackener, it has a deep, non uniform kind of finish that I think really compliments a saber- it's actually not paint at all, acid that blackens the aluminun.  I left that ring, around the blade opening of the emitter, silver so that it would be exactly mirroring the dark lib emitter (which has that ring black, with the flange and vent recesses silver) - to sort of pair the two.  I think in the pics just a little back further in the post u can see the two sabers together, and specifically the emitter sections.  There's a ton of pics back there lol I hope that doesn't get annoying for people im just not greatest at taking pics lol.






MTFBWY

[Zren Tobas]

This needs to become a new service too from you

[RevanReborn]

Thanks so much Zren, I'm honoured that people find the detailing job nice enough for something like that .  I've gotten some pm's from people showing interest in the process, and a lot of input/ encouragement on the post; it's greatly appreciated.  It was actually really fun to do, if a little time consuming.  I'm going to be doing aluminum blackening on the saber I'm working on ATM too, just finishing up work'n on the shrouds first, but I'm excited to get to that!  Also I'm looking into finding another way to chemically refinish non-ferrous metals like aluminum so I can throw that into the mod as well.  Keep u posted, MTFBWY . 

[MavRick]

RavenReborn, that looks SWEET dude !! I think that is the best lookin libby I have seen! Well done good sir!

[RevanReborn]

Thanks so much MavRick- so very honoured! Very kind of you, super encouraging and keeps me so pumped to work on projects . MTFBWY

[Zren Tobas]

Do gotta ask,  not sure what brand they are but, we have tons of paint for metal and other stuff like plastic as well, multi surface basically, would that work on any aluminum based hilts? Its mostly used for models and stuff but yeah. Just gotta get an idea first. Its like those tiny bottles you can get in sometimes a wooden box set thing

[RevanReborn]

I'll look into that for you Zren .  I believe I know exactly what paint you mean, I think I've got some kick'n around here somewhere as well from models n stuff, but I think you might want to hold off until we hear from people who know- I can't say for sure, but I remember a lot of that stuff is made to adhere more to the model materials (it'd be great for detailing a mask etc.) and I'm suspicious about how well it would adhere to aluminum. 

I guess depends on the project, because if you were free to work the metal really well pre-painting, like sanding etc., you can get a lot of stuff to stick if you seal on with clear after, but I wouldn't recommend.  You don't want a saber so delicate that the paint peels off if you breath on it lol.  And a lot of the times you won't want to get too aggressive with sanding the finish on a hilt if you're not weathering. 

I think there are other paints and methods that would work better, and also require less aggressive prep so it's easier to preserve finish of your hilt.  I'll keep you posted, MTFBWY .

[Zren Tobas]

I was told it was multi surfaces though so possible. Like it was the type that was bought was for anything really just in those tiny bottle sets and such

[StarWarsForce]

SO. GOOD.

[RevanReborn]

Thanks SWF . Appreciate.  I'm actually starting to do some of the blackening on my next mod, gonna go crazy on the refinishing job on this one, tons of coverage, engraving, the whole nine yards- should have some progress to show soon on the log (up on this board as well).  Keep you posted, MTFBWY.