OK,
I was thumbing through the December issue of FSM, right? And, I was checking one of my favorite sections, the reader’s tips! I found one tip that I especially loved, and that was how I could get adhesive foil FOR FREE!(the kit-kat foil tip, just to clarify it!)
I’ve had a few snags, though…
First off, they no longer sell kit-kats in those cool foil wrappers anymore. Now, they sell them in sealed foil packages.
But, I got past that one by buying one of those huge hershey’s chocalate bars!
Now, however, I have a new snag. I tried scraping the paper off with a knife(like the tip instructed), but that just made holes in the foil. I tried seperating the foil and paper with a knife, but the paper was too sticky, and would just peel off in spots.
Finally, I tried burning the paper off with a match, and this got it off! However, it must burn off the adhesive as well, because then the foil doesn’t stick to anything!!
So, my conundrum is, how the [censored] do I get the paper off, but leave the adhesive? Is there any chemical I can use that’ll loosen the paper from the foil, but not destroy the adhesive? Will simply heating the foil loosen the paper, rather than burning it off? What should I do?
Help!!
Also, if there is no way to save the adhesive, what adhesive should I put on the back? White glue? Future? Maybe silicone glue?
Mate, I’d just bite the bullet and buy some Bare Metal Foil.
There’s no paper to scrape off, no adhesive to apply - just cut a piece and put it on. It’s ready to go - no messing about.
It’s really easy to use and it’s also really easy to get great results.
Go to their website and order some - the site address is: http://www.bare-metal.com
The also have articles on how to use their products - fool proof!
Best of luck
LeeTree
They have a bunch of other products that are useful as well.
Lee has a point. It could save you from a disaster.
But, I am quite intrigued at the possibilities, though. Have you tried soaking the foil in water overnight? Maybe that will dissolve the paper or something?
YES! Your tip worked!
OK, I took a piece of the foil(didn’t want to potentially waste all of it!) and let it soak for about 30 seconds(overnight would probably do an even better job!). Then, I lightly rubbed at the paper, and, it started to come off! I then rinsed the foil, to get the paper off, and layed it on the test-subject(the bottom of a cockpit tub). It adhered very nice! A few bumbs and scratches(mostly from the plastic itself being imperfect!), but as the foil dried, those dissapeared! The foil still remains somewhat moveable, though. I haven’t tried leaving it on for a while, but I am willing to bet that it becomes less moveable as it dries! I still wouldn’t reccomend it for masking, but, it makes a great alternative to bare-metal foil! And, better yet, for the price of one sheet of BMF, I can buy almost three large Hershey bars(three sheets of foil)!
NEVER BUY BARE METAL FOIL AGAIN!! GO FOR THE DOUBLE-WHAMMY!!Needless to say, I’m pretty excited! I’m going to continue to experiment, and once I have it perfected, I’ll post the guide here in the Techniques section, so that y’all can stretch your hobby pennies as well!
Besides, it’ll give you a good excuse for the wife!
“Honey, I’ll buy you chocolate if you let me keep the foil…”
Actually, J, that’s a theory. As of yet, still single and teen-aged…
Let’s just say, my stomach is now on good terms with me(Chocolate, mmmm…).
Well, I’m gonna try brushing either white glue or future onto the paper-backed side of the foil, and see if that works. Otherwise, it’s wait a few weeks(payday) and get some BMF.
Would there be anywhere besides a hobby shop that would sell Bare-Metal? I can’t order online, no credit card …
LoL, that would require the 'rents having a credit card, as well!
Kicked the card habit a few years ago, nasty thing to get addicted to!
As for an LHS, JR Hobby doesn’t sell it, and I’m pretty sure Colonial Photo and Hobby doesn’t, either.
Is there any other brand of self-adhesive foil?
Also, the experiment with brushing future on the back is going smoothly. No peeling, this time, but now the texture of the paper backing shows up! So, I suppose I should burn off the paper and brush future onto the foil itself, or, would sanding get rid of the texture?
Try Nestle’s Crunch. Thin, very bright foil, no paper. Just be sure to wipe it down with alcohol to get rid of any oil from the candy, and use Micro Foil Adhesive
Years ago (late 80’s), I used the wrappers from Rollos to make the bullets in my Monogram P-51’s MG feed trays look metallic and golden. I forget what I used as an adhesive; white glue, I think.
I should add that I got the idea from an FSM article on using candy bar foil to simulate chrome on car models.
I use the foil out of packs of ciggarettes.
Just soak them overnight and rub the paper off.
Camels even have a checkered pattern you can keep on if needed.
I tell you what i use is old aluminum foil. I saw it being used on a web page one day and it looked great!. Microscale makes an adhesive for foil metal. I went to the dollar store here in my town got some cheep foil and started on an old model using the aluminum foil and wow! you treat the reflective side with the glue. It smells a little like white glue. you cover the foil and it will look white when applied but will dry clear! looks great. When I have pieced seems of 2 dfferent seems together I use 0000 steel wool and rub this hides the seems and make it shine!
I make my bare metal foil by using Nestle Crunch bar foil. After smoothing the foil out I tape it down, spray a fair layer of artists repositional adhesive from an arts and crafts store, like the Krylon brand. At that point you could use the foil but the foil would be lumpy. To smooth the glue layer to a thin layer I pour a little laquer thinner over the glue spray and spread it around the foil with a a scrap cardboard scraper. The consistency of the glue/goop should be like warm honey.
Let it all dry for about 30 minutes and you have ready to use, cheap, modeling foil. I love eating the chocolate waste products to get to the real modeling part, the foil.
I use a Metal tape found at your local auto parts store. It’s made by 3M and comes in various widths, It’s perfecf for aircraft as it doesn’t have that shiny finish it’s bit more of a matt like true aluminum. I have used it on several kits including my current Ch-53 Helo for the interior deck, looks fantastic and it’s already sticky no white glue required. [;)]. I use a used microbrush to help seat the tape evenly and bring out any details. Try it! a roll of tape goes a long way.
…