I am thinking about using Bare Metal Foil on a P-51D, But i have a question about its use. If somehow i do succesfully apply it to my model, how will i make the panel lines show? And also, how many sheets of it should i buy? Will one be enough?
BTW, thanks all in advance.
Bare Metal Foil is extremely thin so if you burnish it with a Q-tip or something like that the panel lines will show up just fine. All you would have to do is apply a wash like you would over any other type of finish if you want to/need to.
Ray
thanks but if it were up to you guys, would you go for metalizers over foil?
id use metalizers over foil in a heart beat. Get chrome or silver and buff it out with a cotten ball
I myself use Bare Metal Foil to mask canopies and maybe just do a few panels, oleo struts, etc.
I never had much luck trying to cover a whole model with it. I couldn’t get it to go over compound curves without wrinkling.
However, I’ve seen examples of people who have done fantastic jobs covering entire models with the stuff. I just never developed the knack for it.
I’ve never tried the metalizers but I am experimenting with SnJ-type polishing powder for a Silver Surfer model I’m working on and I am very impressed with the stuff. It is basically extremely fine aluminum ‘dust’ that you rub into a semi-cured coat of paint. It looks just awesome and doesn’t seem to have any adherance problems. It’s extremely easy to put on as well.
Ray
I like metalizers. SnJ is a great base to start with (IMHO) along with the polishing powders. Then you can tint different panels with light coats of MM metalizers. I seen great effects with Alclad as well.
I just finished covering a F100D in Alum. foil and let me tell you that it is a time comsuming experience. Be that as it may, I really do like the effect and the panels can be polished to near perfection as well as tinted with overspray. Bu more care and planning needs to be taken - so I learned the hard way.
If you have recessed panel lines, take a tooth pick and gently trace the lines till the foil conforms. For rainsed panel lines, just burnish over them . Also a great place for a seam.
I am not giving up my metallizers, but I am going to more in BMF.
You could also sand off all the panel lines and put the Bare Metal Foil on and create the actual lap joints. The foil should be thin enough to give very realistic looking lap joints. Of course then you have to add rivet heads. SnJ paints are excellent and would be a quick alternative to the foil. The foil would have to be cut into specific shapes (flat patterns) for the surfaces they would lay on to prevent wrinkling.