Gold Rub-n-Buff^®

Rub-n-Buff^® consists mainly of a powdered gold pigment, mixed in with a paste composed of a canuba wax.  To apply, you simply dispense a small amount of Rub-n-Buff^® onto an object, rub it in evenly and throughly (I use a cotton swab), wipe away any excess, and then buff to a high sheen.  Lickety-split, it's that easy!

Rub-n-Buff^® is nice because of its composition.  The canuba wax allows it to go on in a very thin layer.  You can also get a sheen that is, in my opinion, nicer, richer and deeper than most paints.  Because you're rubbing the wax in and then buffing, you also don't have to deal with brush strokes.

You do have to be careful that you don't put it on TOO thin, or you'll buff right through to bare plastic, as I did in the above picture.  And while you do get a nice sheen and lustre, you don't really get the reflective gleam you can get with gold leaf.  It's also difficult to do any detailing painting, as paints have a hard time adhering to the wax finish.

Rub-n-Buff^® comes in MANY colors, both metallic and non-metallic.  There's about 5-6 different shades of gold alone.  The above sample is Antique Gold .  There's also silver, and many others, which you can see here (half-way down the page).  If you're curious about this, I suggest you give it a try.  It's cheap, as a small tube is under $4.  Rub-n-Buff ^® is sold in most arts and crafts stores and sections of large stores like Wal-mart, usually on the rack right next to the gold leaf supplies (I've never seen any shade in stores but a couple of the golds, though).

Pros                                Cons
· Cheap                         · You have to be careful not to get this on a previously-painted section
· Easy                           · Detailing is difficult
· Looks pretty good       · Even though it looks good, gold leaf is still better

Synopsis:
In my opinion, this gives the best results of any of the controlled, brushable applications.  The finish is light years better than most paints.  Gold leafing looks better, but is a lot more difficult.  At $4 a tube, it can't hurt to give Rub-n-Buff^® a try.