Does anyone know of any reliable ways to get a good aged or darkened finish on aluminum armor pieces (T6 lamellar, splints, zertsalo plates etc)? A friend and I have looked up several ways online, but we've met with failure after failure thus far, and would like advice from those that may have a bit more experience, specifically in an armouring sense. Ideally looking at making the pieces look a little less like, well, aluminum. Neither of us are overly into mirror finishes, and like the character some aging gives a piece. While much respect is given to shiny and its conveyence of bad assery, there is something to be said about looking completely awesome in a subdued sort of way, if that makes sense. Also, we're not looking to completely blacken a piece either, just giving it the previously mentioned weathered character.
Paints aren't exactly the way we want to go, unless there are some genuinely effective paints that don't give a painted texture. Already tried a little red oxide primer that was then largely polished away, leaving a rusty color residue, giving an almost rusted steel look, though it still *really* looked like aluminum with red oxide prime on it
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Thanks for any advice and wisdom that can be imparted.
