Tarnished Metal HIGHLIGHT

Real Heavy Metal Range (20ml)

Stock # IONIC-0858 Highlight (20 ml)

Real Heavy Metal Tarnished Metal Highlight from Ionic Smart Colours is the ultimate tool for creating a realistic, muted and cohesive finish on your dark metallic surfaces. As the third and final step in Ionic’s innovative 3-step system, this colour is specifically formulated to give oxidised steel and raw iron a natural light reflection.

Tarnished Metal Highlight is designed to be used on the most exposed areas of dark and weathered metals, such as the edges of heavy armour, machine parts, and heavy weapons. Unlike a high-gloss silver tone, this colour provides a more subtle sheen that mimics the way light refracts on weathered metal. This highlight creates a perfect visual balance, giving your miniatures a sense of raw strength and historical depth without losing the dark character.

• Specialised Highlight (IONIC-0858): A muted, grey-toned metallic colour optimised for edge highlighting on dark steel and iron bases.
• Highly pigmented formula: Provides excellent coverage even over dark washes without the need for multiple coats, creating sharp and precise contours.
• Smart Packaging: Comes in a convenient 20ml bottle with a smooth opening mechanism that can be operated with one hand for easy and precise dosing at the palette.
• Ultra-fine pigments: Ensures a smooth surface without visible glitter grains, which is required for a realistic and believable metallic finish on small-scale models.

• Step 1 – Base: Apply your chosen dark metallic base (e.g. Tarnished Metal Base) evenly over the surface to set the solid base tone.
• Step 2 – Wash: Apply a suitable Ionic Metallic Wash (e.g. Dark Steel Wash) to create depth and shadow in recesses.
• Step 3 – Highlight (This product): Finish with Tarnished Metal Highlight on the most exposed edges and details to give the surface its final, authentic finish.

 

SERIES information:

The Ultimate Metallic System for Miniatures, Wargames, and Scale Modeling

This is a single bottle, also available in the set of three BASE * WASH * HIGHLIGHT

Painting metallics can be one of the most frustrating parts of the hobby. Many painters struggle with:

• Chunky finish or visible brushstrokes
• Uneven or patchy shine
• Dull metallics or muddy mixes
• Shadows that kill reflectivity
• Harsh, unrealistic highlights
• Metallic pigment rubbing off
• Tone shifts depending on viewing angle

Real Heavy Metal eliminates these issues with a professional, fast, and extremely intuitive system. Developed by IONIC over more than a year of testing and refinement, it delivers a bright, stable, true metallic finish that remains consistent under any working conditions. Engineered for all skill levels — from beginners seeking instant impact to advanced painters demanding maximum performance.

A Professional 3-Step Metallic System: Base • Wash • Highlight

Real Heavy Metal is a complete, coordinated triad system. Each set includes:3 bottles • 3 tones • 3 steps — Base, Wash, and Highlight.

Follow the sequence. No complex blending. No mixing required.

1-Metallic Base

High-coverage formula that covers in a single coat. Fast drying and engineered to deliver authentic metallic shine from the very first layer. Maximum intensity with minimal effort.

2-Metallic Wash

A true metallic ink designed to flow effortlessly into recesses. Instantly enhances panel lines, armor joints, and recessed details. Adds depth and volume while preserving reflectivity — perfect for fast, controlled shading.

3-Metallic Highlight

Specifically calibrated to brighten the base tone without creating harsh transitions. The ultra-fine metallic pigment ensures smooth blending, natural reflections, and professional color harmony.

Superior Quality: True Metallic Shine and Maximum Durability

Real Heavy Metal paints deliver:

• Exceptional coverage
• Perfect self-leveling with no visible brush marks
• Ultra-fine metallic pigment for hyper-realistic reflections
• High durability — resistant to enamels, oils, and weathering effects without lifting
• Flawless performance by brush or airbrush

Smart Bottle Design — Built for Hobbyists. All three tones come in IONIC’s exclusive 20 ml bottle:

• Flexible and easy to squeeze
• Transparent body to see the real color
• Quick one-handed cap opening and closing
• Secure, leak-proof seal
• Stainless steel mixing ball included

The paint mixes easily, does not reactivate with water once dry, and can be blended with other IONIC acrylics to create cool, warm, aged, oxidized, or fully customized metallic effects.

Perfect for Every Metallic Surface. Ideal for:

• Dark steel weapons and industrial machinery
• Bright silver and gold armor, blades, jewelry, buckles, and fine details
• Antique gold, copper, and aged bronze
• Colored metallics: red, blue, green, purple, yellow, and more
• Mechas, robots, sci-fi armor, steampunk machinery, fantasy warriors, wargaming armies, historical miniatures, and scale vehicles

Effortless Professional Metallic Finishes!

REAL HEAVY METAL is the definitive solution for painters who want stunning metallic results without wasting time. Fast. Versatile. Reliable. Delivering professional-grade shine, deep shadows, and smooth transitions on any miniature or model.

Paint easy. Paint fast. Achieve incredible metallic results.

LINK TO original KICKSTARTER: Real Heavy Metal – Metallic Paints by Ionic Smart Colors