whitemetal looking like wood

[RodH]

I have wooden  disconnects cast in whitemetal. Can you give me some help on making them look like silvery grey hardwood timber?

[Chuck Doan]

Hi Rod!
Hope someone can chime in here. Other than maybe treating it with a blackeneing agent to start, I haven't tried to make metal look like wood.

[finescalerr]

See if you can find some of Ray Dunaken's earlier threads on building plastic structures. Paint knows no difference between plastic and metal so his examples may get you going. If you are in no hurry, Ray's full article on that subject will appear in this year's (December) Modelers' Annual. -- Russ

[lab-dad]

I would start by graining the wood.
Then a chemical blackening for color (esp. any cast on metal areas) and "tooth"
Then some color using whatever medium you prefer.
There has been lots of threads here on wood.
Recently the pan pastels and references to using vallejo or oils as well.
Marty

[Ray Dunakin]

In a nutshell, here's how I'd do it:

First, clean the castings thoroughly to remove any traces of mold release agents, which would prevent paint from sticking.

Second, add some wood grain, if it does not already have grain cast into the surface. A 1/4" wide piece cut from a fine-toothed razor saw, mounted in a hobby knife handle, makes a good tool for graining plastic and should work on  white metal castings too (unless the metal is unusually hard).

Next, give it a light coat of white primer. Too thick, and you'll fill in too much of the grain details.

Now build up the color using your preferred choice of paint, thinned, not full strength. Layer it on a little at a time until you achieve the look you want. Most of all, get some good photographic reference to work from, and follow it as best you can.

A very thin wash of blackish-brown can be used to accent the grain.

I like to seal mine with a coat of Krylon UV-resistant matte clear -- but then, my models have to withstand constant exposure to the elements on my outdoor RR.

None of this is meant as "this is THE way to do it". It's just what works for me.