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Silver Filament

Discussion in 'Printing Filament' started by Mark Gandenberger, Dec 11, 2017.

  1. Mark Gandenberger

    Mark Gandenberger New Member

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    Can anyone recommend a good looking silver filament? I recently picked up some Silver Metal PLA filament from 3D Solutech. It worked okay but it looks more like a silver/grey. I am trying to replicate a brushed aluminum control plate, as well as some other aluminum and nickel hardware. I'm not expecting a perfect match but hope to find something closer than what I've got. FWIW, I currently have a stock R1 Plus, so filament that works well with it would be preferred. I'm still new to this but I figure I will upgrade to an E3D v6 at some point, once I have a better grasp of what I'm doing. If the E3D would open up better options on the silver filament, that might hasten my upgrade timeline.

    Thanks!
     
  2. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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  3. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Generally when color is important we just airbrush the models.

    Edit: Most metallic colored filaments we have tried tend to, well, fall flat :)
    They don't end up looking very metallic (silver ends up looking more 'grey', gold more 'yellow', you get the idea)
     
  4. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
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    What he said.
     
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  5. Mark Gandenberger

    Mark Gandenberger New Member

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    Thanks for the replies. Sounds like I might need to hunt for the airbrush I haven't used in 30 years! ;-)
     
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  6. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    One advantage to the metal infused ones (like the stainless steel, brass, copper, etc) is that they are heavy... they weigh more like a metal part if that ever matters.
     
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  7. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
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    One suggestion once you find that 30 year old airbrush. The only metallic paints I have had real success with, ones that actually look like metal is Alclad Airbrush Lacquers. Hit this link for samples of their high-shine finishes. And remember your good airbrush techniques.

    Most of the better hobby shops carry Alclad and you can buy it online too.
     
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  8. Mark Gandenberger

    Mark Gandenberger New Member

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    That might be like trying to remember what it was like having all my hair, but I'll give it a try! Thank you for the link!
     
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  9. Gwen Scogin

    Gwen Scogin New Member

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    I have used the proto-pasta stainless. you can get a brushed looking finish. I have had the best luck using a small sharpening stone. you will want to up the extrusion a bit to make sure you get a good surface on top that will give you a solid finish. Also be careful with it as it is not as flexible as normal pla.
     
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