Hi

I have an idea for a silver finish for one of my basses that I want to try on my own but I was wondering where I could get the specific color I want (or perhaps the proper method?). Its not metalflake, and its not like a chromed finish, but kind of in the middle. Sort of a semi-reflective, slightly dull silver, something close to the duller side of a sheet of aluminum foil perhaps.

It dosen't have to be one smooth tone all over, in fact if it has "irregularities" that would be good. I haven't seen this finish on a bass/guitar before - its just something I thought up, so I don't even know if it can be done. Maybe something other than paint? Anyone have any suggestions?

the Ritter royals website has a nice aluminium looking guitar, just google "The Platinum Roya Concept" , i think its covered in sheet silver?
gluck!

gilding is what you want.. you apply an adhesive (sizing) and lay thin sheets of metal over it and burnish them down..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilding

throbgod13: I think that is exactly what I'm looking for, thank you!

THIRSTYGUMS: Thats kindawhat I had in mind, although the finish on the Ritter seems "blocky" for lack of a better word. Interesting bass tho.

Thats kindawhat I had in mind, although the finish on the Ritter seems "blocky" for lack of a better word. Interesting bass tho.

That's one of the hazards of applying leaf, especially if it's quite thick as that looks to be. To get a sheen is a trade-off between thickness of leaf & the type of size used. There's a multitude of types of size from acrylic through to various flavours of oil via gelatin & gesso and leaf-thickness varies according to the material.

I suspect that the Golden Ritter (http://www.ritter-royals.com/detail-picture-sites/detail-pictures-golden-seal.htm) may have been sized with gesso (clay slip) as it appears to be quite highly burnished, something that's a sod to do with oil size, but gesso is great for.

One caveat though, no leafed finish will withstand mechanical abrasion for any length of time unless overcoated - which can destroy the burnishing.

Acrylic gilding is the easiest to pick up, oil slightly harder as drying time is crucial to the final finish, gelatin is a dark art (but once mastered gives the mirror finish you see on shop windows), & gesso borders on voodoo in my book.

If you know any fine art picture framers, they may be able to advise.

Pete.