SQUADRON COLORS CHROME & POLISHED ALUMINUM
Creating Highly Reflective Metal Finishes
Chrome and Polished Aluminum aren't sprayed like ordinary metallic paint.
With these finishes, surface preparation, the gloss-black foundation, air pressure, paint flow, and application technique all work together to create the reflective effect.
Trying to achieve coverage with a heavy coat will actually work against you.
The secret is preparation and restraint.
1. CHROME VS. POLISHED ALUMINUM
Both paints use a similar application technique, but they're intended to create different appearances.
Chrome provides the brighter, more mirror-like reflective finish.
Polished Aluminum provides a bright, reflective metallic appearance representing highly polished aluminum without the same mirror-chrome character.
2. THE FOUNDATION IS EVERYTHING
These finishes magnify the quality of the surface underneath them.
Scratches, dust, fingerprints, texture, sanding marks, and imperfections in the base can remain visible through the finished reflective surface.
For maximum reflectivity, apply Chrome or Polished Aluminum over a perfectly smooth, fully cured gloss-black base.
Squadron Colors 2K Gloss Black is recommended when maximum smoothness and reflectivity are desired. For Polished Aluminum, using Squadron Colors 1K Black Primer can produce a softer, less reflective metallic appearance than 2K Gloss Black. Experiment with both foundations to achieve the look you want.
Think of the gloss black as part of the final finish—not simply something you're covering up.
3. LET THE GLOSS BLACK CURE
Don't rush this step.
The gloss-black foundation needs to be fully cured before proceeding.
Handling or coating an insufficiently cured base can damage the surface you've worked to create.
Once cured, inspect the surface carefully under good lighting.
You're looking for a smooth, deep, uniform gloss without dust, texture, fingerprints, or other defects.
If the black surface doesn't look good, the reflective finish won't magically fix it.
Correct the base first.
4. CLEAN THE SURFACE
Once the gloss black has fully cured, make sure it is completely clean.
For best results, gently wash the surface using fragrance-free dish soap and water.
Rinse thoroughly.
We recommend using distilled water for the final rinse to reduce the possibility of minerals or water spots being deposited on the surface.
Allow everything to dry completely.
From this point forward, avoid touching the prepared surface with bare fingers.
Skin oils and fingerprints can interfere with the reflective finish.
5. MIX THOROUGHLY
Shake the bottle until the internal mixing ball moves freely.
Continue shaking thoroughly after the ball begins moving to make sure the paint is completely mixed.
Don't rush the mixing process.
6. LOWER THE AIR PRESSURE
Chrome and Polished Aluminum perform best at lower pressure than our other metallic lacquer colors.
Start around 10–15 PSI with very low paint flow.
Adjust as necessary for your particular airbrush, nozzle size, environment, and spraying technique.
The objective is a very fine, controlled application.
Always test your setup before spraying the model.
7. MOISTURE CONTROL IS CRITICAL
Always use a moisture/water trap with your compressor.
Water contamination can be especially noticeable in highly reflective finishes.
Make sure the trap is working properly and drain accumulated moisture before spraying.
8. APPLYING CHROME OR POLISHED ALUMINUM
This is where technique matters.
Use very light, controlled passes with continuous overlapping movement.
Don't try to cover the black immediately.
Instead, gradually build the reflective finish.
Think of the process as developing the reflection rather than applying an opaque coat of paint.
Pass 1 — Black still strongly visible
Pass 2 — Metallic effect developing
Pass 3 — Reflectivity increasing
Finished — Desired reflective effect achieved
Watch the surface as you work.
Once you've achieved the appearance you're looking for, stop spraying.
9. DO NOT APPLY A HEAVY WET COAT
This is one of the most important differences between Chrome/Polished Aluminum and conventional paint.
Do not flood the surface.
A heavy wet application can reduce the reflective effect you're trying to create.
More paint does not mean more shine.
Controlled application is the key.
10. ALLOW THE FINISH TO CURE
Allow the finished surface to cure for at least 30 minutes before handling.
Whenever possible, minimize unnecessary handling of highly reflective finishes even after curing.
11. CLEAR COATING, DECALS & REFLECTIVITY
Chrome and Polished Aluminum may be left uncoated when maximum reflectivity is the goal. However, if your model requires decals, you may need to incorporate clear coats into the finishing process.
For best results, decals should be applied over a smooth surface. A smooth gloss surface allows the decal film to make better contact with the model and helps reduce tiny air pockets underneath the carrier film that can cause decal silvering.
Chrome and Polished Aluminum already produce very smooth finishes when applied correctly, so a gloss clear coat before decals may not always be necessary. If you choose to apply decals directly over the metallic finish, make sure the paint has fully cured and handle the surface carefully.
After the decals have been applied, positioned, and allowed to dry completely, a clear coat can be applied to protect them and help reduce the visible transition between the decal carrier film and the surrounding surface.
IMPORTANT — CLEAR COAT CAN CHANGE THE FINISH
Any clear coat applied over Chrome or Polished Aluminum can reduce some of the reflectivity and change the appearance of the metallic finish. This is especially noticeable with highly reflective Chrome.
When decals are required, you may need to balance maximum reflectivity against the benefits of protecting the decals and creating a more uniform finished surface.
For this reason, we strongly recommend testing the entire process — Chrome or Polished Aluminum, decals, decal-setting products, and your chosen clear coat — on a separate test piece before applying it to your model.
QUICK TIP
Maximum reflectivity: Leave the finish uncoated whenever practical.
When using decals: Allow the metallic finish to cure completely → Apply decals carefully → Allow decals to dry completely → Apply clear coat if needed for protection and to help blend the decal carrier film.
Always remember: every additional layer over a highly reflective finish has the potential to change its appearance.
COMMON PROBLEMS
MY CHROME ISN'T VERY REFLECTIVE
Start by looking underneath it.
Was the gloss-black base perfectly smooth and glossy?
Was it completely cured?
Was the surface clean?
Did you use very light spray passes?
Did you stop once the reflective effect developed?
Reflective finishes rely heavily on surface preparation.
THE FINISH LOOKS GRAINY
Check your air pressure, spraying distance, paint flow, surface preparation, and airbrush performance.
Test adjustments on a separate surface before continuing.
I CAN SEE FINGERPRINTS
Avoid touching the prepared gloss-black base and reflective finish with bare fingers.
Clean gloves can be extremely useful when handling parts during this process.
SHOULD I KEEP ADDING COATS?
Only until you've achieved the effect you want.
Continuing to add paint after the reflective effect has developed can work against the finish rather than improve it.
THE GOLDEN RULE
Perfect the black → Keep it clean → Lower the pressure → Lower the paint flow → Build the effect slowly → Know when to stop.
CLEANUP
Clean your airbrush immediately after use with a quality lacquer thinner or lacquer airbrush cleaner.
Empty any remaining paint and flush thoroughly with lacquer thinner until the airbrush sprays clean.
Follow your airbrush manufacturer's instructions for disassembly and thorough cleaning when necessary.
Do not allow lacquer paint to dry inside your airbrush.
Never return used paint or cleaning thinner to the original bottle.
SAFETY
For adult hobby use. Keep away from children.
Contains flammable solvents and produces harmful vapors. Always use appropriate respiratory protection and adequate ventilation when spraying.
Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flame.