I’m currently looking into different filament options for props and cosplay accessories. For some of these parts, it would be great to print them in the “right” color from the start instead of having to rely on a lot of post-processing.
I own the most recent set of Bambu filament swatches, but unfortunately it doesn’t include the Metal or Silk+ filaments. Comparing the swatches I do have to the product photos on my calibrated monitor, I’m already seeing noticeable color differences, which is to be expected.
I was hoping to find daylight and neutral light comparisons of the following filaments, ideally photographed on a white or otherwise color-neutral background. I haven’t been able to find anything like this so far.
If anyone has done these comparisons already or would be willing to do so, I’d really appreciate seeing the photos:
PLA Silk+ Gold vs PLA Metal Iridium Gold Metallic
PLA Bronze vs PLA Metal Iridium Gold Metallic vs PLA Silk+ Gold
PLA Silk+ Silver vs PLA Metal Iron Gray Metallic
PLA Silk Titan Gray vs PLA Metal Iron Gray Metallic
Unfortunately, I can’t provide any photos, but based on my experience, the main difference is the gloss.
Matt is matt, as the name suggests. Normal PLA has a slight sheen, whereas Silk is highly glossy. If you’re familiar with car paint, you’ll know that there are different levels of gloss, too. Or painting mini figures.
So the question is rather: How much gloss do you want?
In this video, you can see exactly what kind of shine you can expect from silk.
Thank you. I’m aware of the gloss vs non gloss, its really more about the differences in color under lighting, as many pictures of especially the Silk+ colors look like “cheap” plastic and are very diffrent in hue than you would think from the descriptions. For example the Silk+ “Gold” looks more like yellow with shine and glitter than looks like gold.
Well, I can tell you right now that no matter which PLA you use, the gold, silver and gunmetal all look cheap. If you’re hoping to avoid reworking it, you’ll probably be disappointed. I don’t want to discourage you; I’m just giving you a heads-up because I tried it myself and was very disappointed.
As a little hint: In my opinion, graphite powder has proven to be the clear winner for metallic silver on PLA. For gold, the good old spray can.
But that’s not the point. I’m just letting you know that you might be disappointed. Silk, for example, cannot be reworked at all. As soon as you start polishing it, it will look terrible. On the other hand, with PLA matte, for example, which I didn’t see in your list, all options are open to you. You can also apply the gloss afterwards.
If you want to skip post-processing, you can, but it will always look cheap. No PLA can achieve these gold, metal, and silver effects; they always look like children’s toys. As I said, not quite what you asked for, but just my experience on the topic of skip post-processing.
As mentioned, keep in mind: Silk = post-processing is nearly impossible. Your linen layers remain visible, and paint does not adhere well to it anyway, if you are considering that.
Maybe I can offer something. It’s rare but sometimes I can help.
Metallic Gold is something I use when I’m looking for a real gold look when used as a metal covering. It’s darker and often doesn’t look like gold per se. Look up a Captain Rex from Star Wars helmet. You’ll see he has weld marks on the helmet. When I print his helmet the metallic gold matches that nearly perfectly. Unless it’s an animated helmet. That’s a little different and I haven’t successfully printed one yet. I’ve bee lazy.
I recently printed a cyberbrick R2D2 and used silk for the dome and blue of the print. The silk looks as close to polished chrome as I think you can get. Silver PLA has a little sheen to it but mostly only shows silver in light. Either LED light or sunlight.
The silk blue looks too shiny. I wish the blue in the metallic matched that “royal” type blue but it’s just too dark. Right sheen, wrong hue.
Silk hides layer lines as well, but I really find it too bright in most cases.
Depending on the matte color they’re really great, almost every color. They’re not that strong though, neither are the silks.
Into all of them, I don’t find them to hold acrylics well. You usually need to coat them with something to hide the lines. Paint will bleed on some matte filaments.
Silk isn’t going to sand, nor is the metal unless you find a way to polish it. I’m by no means an expert but I haven’t really found a way to polish without some coating. You can use UV resin to coat smaller parts, just make sure it doesn’t have runs and use a UV flashlight or flood light.
Hope some of this helps.
Edit. The silver silk looks more like a brushed metal kinda chrome. Not mirror but you know.
Galactic Armory (which I am not allowed to buy from as they are from USA) recently did a cosplay video on youtube if a multi-color print of a cosplay helmet using the H2 Vortek. However they felt the surface was not smooth enough and they sanded down the layer lines
Second Dynasty (who make 1/56 scale space craft models) have some good photos of matte/silk models with no paint - the models are about 50-90 centimeteres long (like 2 to 3 feet). The “Skolpadda” is their new one, and the first one that supports multi-color print. I saw some photos of prints in their MyMiniFactory landing page blogs.
I would be wary of PLA cosplay due to the risk of melting in a hot car or container. However, I don’t know where you live.
I don’t kow any resource that has the EXACT combininations you wanted to see, but I think those give an idea of what a “no paint” model would look like.
