Shiny vs Matte paint

[monpolo]

Evening all! I've been looking around 405th and just Halo cosplays in general, and I've come to a crossroads. After completing my first armor build, I'm happy with how it turned out but I'm wondering if it's too "shiny". I'm going to help my wife start hers (Agent Carolina from RvB) soon and want to take everything I've learned along the way to really make hers stand out. So I'm wondering, what's the general consensus on a finish that tends to reflect some light and therefore appear shiny vs a more flat coloring?

*edit* also if you have tips for painting in either fashion they'd be greatly appreciated. The method I used on my foam build was plastidip, prime, hammered silver base coat, main color, weather & battle damage, glossy enamel (for protection)

I've read some folks that recommend a flat enamel so it doesn't reflect light, and even sanding the main color lightly with 440 grit sandpaper before sealing to really give it that weathered appearance.

 

[RobotChicken]

I guess I'll be the first to ante-up. I plan to put a "satin" finish on my parts. Not totally matte, but not glossy either. In nearly all game screen shots you can see light reflecting off edges and faces on the armor. If you went totally matte then you wouldn't get the high-contrast highlights seen in so many of the game photos. So I think semi-gloss or satin would be a good compromise between not too dull and not too shiny.

 

[colbs]

Do a mix of both it comes out a really cool effect

 

[Johnnybroskii]

Do a mix of both it comes out a really cool effect

what does it look like??

 

[colbs]

Like this basicly do a flat matte base coat then do a glossy coat in some sorta pattern as accent pieces it would give the suit some flare. http://www.colormaniapaint.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/F173.jpg.w300h300.jpg

 

[Alkatraz]

I tend to use Satin paints because its not too glossy but still shiny enough to pick up lighting well. Ive also heard that some matte paints can flake away easier than glossier paints but I'm not sure if that is true or not.

 

[colbs]

That's what clear coats are for always finish a paint job with a clear coat for project like this

 

[monpolo]

Like this basicly do a flat matte base coat then do a glossy coat in some sorta pattern as accent pieces it would give the suit some flare. http://www.colormaniapaint.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/F173.jpg.w300h300.jpg

Hmm. That would be a pretty sweet effect for a custom armor.

 

[elementfx]

Agree 100% this would look sick I am just wondering on how long it would take to mix and use in a spray gun any ideas?