Painting Metallics with Aluminum and New Gold

By SCALE75 - HOBBIES & GAMES – SCALE75 - Hobbies & Games | Published: 2026-10-30

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to use SCALE75 Aluminum and New Gold acrylic paints for realistic metallic effects on miniatures, with step-by-step guidance for smooth application and common pitfalls to avoid.

Quick answer

SCALE75 Aluminum and New Gold deliver bright, smooth metallic finishes when thinned properly and applied in thin layers. Follow the steps below to avoid chalky textures and achieve realistic silver and gold effects on your miniatures.

Why choose SCALE75 Aluminum and New Gold?

SCALE75's metallic acrylics are known for their fine pigment load and smooth flow. Aluminum offers a neutral silver tone that works well for armor, weapons, and mechanical parts, while New Gold provides a rich, luminous gold ideal for details, trim, and heraldry. Both paints are part of the PINTURAS INDIVIDUALES range, so you can buy exactly the colors you need without committing to a full set.

Common pitfalls with metallic paints

Metallic paints are prone to separation, clogging brush bristles, and leaving a gritty finish if not stirred thoroughly before use. Over-thinning with water can cause the metallic flakes to pool unevenly, while applying too thick a layer obscures surface detail. The steps below address each of these issues directly.

Step-by-step metallic painting process

1. Prepare the paint: Shake the SCALE75 Aluminum or New Gold bottle vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Metallic pigments settle quickly, so a thorough shake ensures an even consistency. If you see a watery layer on top, you haven't shaken enough.
2. Thin the paint correctly: Mix a small amount of paint on a palette with a drop of water or acrylic medium until it reaches a skim-milk consistency. Over-thinning causes metallic flakes to separate; under-thinning leads to brush strokes. Test the consistency on your thumbnail – it should flow smoothly without beading.
3. Apply the first thin coat: Load your brush and wipe off excess on a paper towel. Apply a single thin layer over the primed area, letting the paint self-level. Do not go back over a drying spot – metallic paint lifts easily when touched again. A patchy first coat is normal; let it dry completely before the next layer.
4. Build opacity with subsequent layers: Once the first coat is dry (about 2–3 minutes), apply a second thin layer in the same direction. Repeat until you achieve full coverage. New Gold typically needs 2–3 layers, while Aluminum may cover in 1–2. If you see brush strokes, the paint is still too thick – add a tiny drop of water.
5. Seal and protect the finish: After the final layer dries, apply a matte or satin varnish to protect the metallic surface from scratches and tarnishing. Avoid gloss varnish on large metallic areas, as it can make them look plastic. Test the varnish on a spare piece first – some varnishes dull metallic shine.

Product facts

NEW GOLD: Rich, metallic gold pigment for a bright and luminous finish. This means New Gold can serve as both a basecoat and a highlight without needing multiple layers, saving time on gold details.
NEW GOLD
ALUMINUM: Metallic aluminum tone suitable for model details, armor, and mechanical parts. Aluminum's neutral silver sheen works well for painting weapons, engines, and sci-fi armor, and it takes washes and glazes cleanly.
ALUMINUM