I’m going to be building a Saab Viggen with a bare metal finish. The only metal finish I’ve done previously is a Mig-21, using a Tamiya AS-12 spray can. Then did weathering on a gloss coat on top with oils, and left the coat as it was. Overall it looked okay since I wanted a dirtier look, but this time for the Viggen I want it cleaner.

So are there any other spray paints that are better for a brighter and cleaner metal finish like this? The Tamiya AS-12 is a little too dark I feel. Or are there paints that can be brushed to look metallic like this? I always hear how hard it is to get a real metal look, and that stuff like Alclad is great but it seems like it’s only able to be airbrushed.

Also, how do you KEEP a metal finish looking metallic during the weathering stage? I’d think that putting gloss, then doing typical decals and weathering would ruin the natural look. Satin finish maybe?