Oil-slick finish?

[FunjoRebur]

I'm thinking that a rainbow oil-slick finish would look cool on parts of my lightsaber. Unfortunately, I have no idea how that effect is done or if it's even possible for a hobbyist such as myself to do it in my basement workshop. A quick search of hobbyist message boards came up empty. Does anyone here have any idea, or any internet resources you could point me to? Thanks in advance.

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

I've thought about this concept and while it would look cool I honestly don't know how it would be done. Your best bet would be to cover it with a clear plastic that already has the coloring that looks like the oil "effect" on it, or as close as you can get. You''d have an edge where the ends of the plastic meets, but perhaps you could cover that up.

The true "oil slick" effect is actually casued by the refraction of light through the very thin layer of oil film which is close enough to the wavelength of the sundry light frequencies passing through it to give you a nice interference pattern. Natural variations in the thickness of the liquid film gives you variations in the color. I can't think of any paint or spray that you could get that would give you a coating smooth enough to make that work. So, look for something that has that effect already made into it that you can put on the lightsaber.

[Karma]

If I am thinking of what you're thinking, this rainbow effect (on metal, at least) can come from an electrical process...whose name escapes me right now. I see it quite alot where I work, especially after lightning storms. A plane will get hit by a bolt, and any bare metal surfaces get that rainbow effect from the static electricity.

-Karma

[DietVanillaMike]

i dont know if its the same, but it is a rainbow-type effect

at auto-zone and other automotive places that sell touch up paint they have a box with three different sprays a base, an over coat and a clear coat it tells you how to acheive use it on the box i just never really had a need for it so i never got it you might check it out though

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

I don't know what the stuck by lightning effect is called, but it usually comes with serious damage. The electical coating process is called electro-plating (I think) and would likely cost major $$$$ to put a rainbow effect film on a lightsaber.

The auto paint thing sounds much more available. I'd definitely look for any car finish options that have the rainbow effect you're looking for. It still may not be cheap, but still available.

[tanzanlinnear]

You could try heating the metal over a flame, that would cause some circular discoloration, which could then be repeated over the entire saber, but it would then be a fixed pattern... I get the impression you want the effect to change with the light, so you'd probably have to use a speciallist car paint. Somewhere like House of Kolor might have a paint that will give the effect you like, and although it's quite expensive, you might be able to obtain a sample pot that would probably be enough to coat the saber. Good luck, and be sure to post some pics of the finished article

[Ark]

Greetings about that rainbow effect through expirience of painting Cars your best bet is with the Car paint and the clear coat after you apply the clear coat you have 2 options one to polish it with car polisher or leave it as is ...but for a great finish polish it trust me it will glow

and the painting affect you could always make the colours start out going solid them go fainter into another Colour .......it would be a pretty cool affect