Hey guys, my next project is an early 50’s Corvette (1/24). This kit has some of the smallest raised letters I’ve seen on a model. Of course on the actual car, they are chrome, and must be finished as such on the model. I’m a little rusty on auto models, as I’ve been building mostly armour for the last few years.
Anyhow, I’m thinking my best plan of attack is to use bare metal foil before priming the body. As I’m using automotive lacquer, I’ll be spraying a half dozen coats of primer before laying down the finish paint coats.
It seems the foil idea is my only viable option, as these letters will almost certainly be buried in a sea of primer/paint, considering how many coats I intend to apply. On the plus side, the lacquer coats will be thinner than enamels.
Any other ideas/suggestions?
I remember reading a article (FSM or one of the auto model mags) where the author made some RTV rubber copies of the chrome script & other details. He then cast them in resin, sanded them free of the carrier & covered them with Bare Metal before applying with some Future as cement
I would paint the car, then use low tack masking tape to block out around the letters and then use some chrome foil. If you lightly burnish down the foil over the raised letters, it should adhere only to them and not the area surrounding them, kind of like a dry transfer.
-Fred
I once heard of a guy who used Bees Wax melted into a small dish (heat on a coffee cup warmer). He would use a very fine paint brush, dip it into the wax and paint the small parts he wanted to protect. After the painting was complete, wiping with a rag removed the bulk of the wax, then a dab of Windex on a Q-Tip removed the rest. Just make sure your paint will tolerate the Windex. The Bees Wax forms a protective covering. Another option is to use the Liquid Glove that comes in a tube. You would rub it on your hands let dry, then do your work. When you wash your hands off comes the dirt and the liquid glove. Your hands are protected. It might work here too.
The following may or may not be of any help, found on Brian’s models website:
http://www.briansmodelcars.com/tutorials/tutorial/53
It’s similar to what you want to do.
Camo
Cool site. I may have to build a car one day to try some of those techniques.
That website is great and I use a lot of the tips for non-auto subjects as well.
The tip on how to do cheapo home made kevlar/carbon fibre is great
David