Molotow Liquid Chrome Markers Review
I ain’t even gonna bullshit, Molotow knocked it out the box with the Liquid Chrome paint markers. As far as chrome (or silver metallic) paint markers go, you can’t ask for anything more than these. The chrome paint dries quickly, covers great (depending on the surface) and besides the markers Molotow offers a refill bottle for when the markers run out.
Application
I first bought the Liquid Chrome 4mm bullet nib when they first came out in 2016 or 2017 I think, the “20 year Anniversary” edition ones that were only available in Europe at the time. I remember as soon as I got them I got right to it, testing them on paper transit maps, USPS 228 labels, eggshell stickers, canvas and metal. On the canvas they worked good, on the eggshells better, but on the printed paper (a transit map) I had to use three coats because the paper just sucked up the paint. Who’s fault is that I’m not really sure but after the third coat the map looked great. My only complaint was you could see the stroke marks in the paper until the third coat was applied. The paint does fade kinda fast outdoors so I wouldn’t recommend using them outside in the elements.
Quality
Anyway, back to the actual markers’ quality: top shelf as usually expected from Molotow. The markers are plastic body with a white 2mm bullet nib. I wish they would use the old school felt instead of the synthetic white material because the white nibs cause streaking and the dry out alot faster. Sometimes the actual paint and thinning solvent used to dilute the paint to make it flow right separate and only the solvent is left in the nib. This makes it a pain in the ass to pop the cap and start writing/drawing right away. You have to shake the marker and keep juicing the nib until it starts laying down the chrome paint again. Sometimes if you juice the nib too much it’ll flood all over and make a mess.
The chrome paint does have a mirror finish to it and, like I already said, it dries faster than most other silver or chrome paint markers. I think they use an alcohol base to speed the drying time. The chrome paint in these markers is the shiniest, most mirror-finish-like I’ve seen available pre-made. There is one recipe I use for mirror finish paint but it’s oil-based and expensive to make and I’ll never, ever let anyone know the process or ingredients so we’ll just forget about that right now.
“The one and only liquid chrome with mirror effect is the unique result of a long-term advancement of the MOLOTOW BURNER ink. For the best chrome mirror effect on smooth and non-absorbent surfaces.”
Are They Worth It?
Molotow now sells an entire range of sizes from fineliners to 5mm bullet nibs as well as a few calligraphy styles. 30ml refills are also available, but at roughly $45.00 USD for 30ml of paint, if you can’t rack that shit then you might as well forget about it. $45.00 for 30ml is technically, ounce-for-ounce, more expensive than Cristal, and that’s some crazy shit right there. Anyway, like I was saying, the whole range is now available on the Molotow website as well as all your favorite online shops and overpriced art supply stores & hobby shops. Amazon had a 3-pack & refill bundle for $76.00+shipping, which is outrageous.
The bottom line is these markers are probably the best chrome paint markers currently available. I keep a few of the 4mm’s on deck, which run about $10.00 USD each. They look great on pretty much anything you use ’em on and they come in all sizes. You can grab them from any online shop or direct from Molotow.
