Foiling

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Techniques
1

I’m currently foiling a 1/72 B-58 Hustler. It’s just run-of-the-mill kitchen foil that I am applying adhesive to. The adhesive instructs one to spread it on the matte side of the foil, let it sit until it dries to a milky haze, and then burnish the foil down onto the surface. I noticed tonight after the piece that I put on that it appeared to have bubbled up along one edge. This is a curved part of the fuselage right beneath the bulge on the tail.

Could this be an issue of not letting the adhesive dry long enough? Or perhaps the adhesive is getting old (I believe it’s at least 2 years old, dating to the first foil build I did). Any other ideas?

2

aggieman,

I’ve had this happen to me and this is what I did, hope it helps… I took the point of a needle and pierced the bubble then used the side of a toothpick to re-burnish it down. Now, I was going for a more weather-beaten look so i also used a fine steel wool to finish it with and that helped conceal the area. But the b-58 was a bit more sparkly so maybe you might be hesitant to try that method.

3

Aggieman I had that happen a few times and found if I burnished them down again the bubbles were gone. Cant say if the adhesive has a shelf life or not.

PS the pin trick works on the shiney finish too had to do that on the P-51 in a few places and once burnished I couldnt see the pin holes.

4

FWIW, I’m experimenting with aluminum duct tape that you can get at the hardware store… So far, I think it looks pretty good on the P-38 hulk I’m testing it on…

I cut the panels to size, then just stick 'em on and burnish the foil… The trick is not to use too much pressure burnishing or it leaves marks in the foil… I started using Q-tips for a burnisher because of that… Here’s the foil on a P-40 that I made that mistake on:

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/7493/148thp40.jpg

5

Hans Von Hammer Looks like an interesting idea you have there. But I do feel inclined to put my 2 cents worth in there [:D]. I cant really see your burnishing trouble in the picture but what I think I can see is an adhesive issue. As you probably know the factories apply the adhesive to tape with rollers and it looks like the adhesive went on unevenly or clumpy like it was old or the roller was not very clean. I used to use alot of the metal tapes when I was a machinist and found the most consistant brand was 3M for adhesive thickness, also used doublebacked tape for fly cutting and 3M was the only one that would work. Just a thought. BTW what brand are you using ?

6

Foil has a couple of issues which I found back in the day when it was the rage to get a NMF…and before I discovered…well you all know that story…if not check my website.

Foil is subject to abrasion and scuff marks from the tools being used to burnish it down. Yes, even Q-Tips will scratch the foils surface. There is also the baggy nylon stocking syndrome…puckers and bagging around rivets and other raised details on the plastic. The foil doesn’t stretch enough to wrap around and snuggle down flush. Anything that gets sandwiched between the foil and the plastic will show through much like a blemish does with paint. It is labor intensive, but if you’re looking for something to occupy your time this is a good thing. A foiled model, except one that is truely exceptional will stick out on a table as compared to other NMF subjects. Why for the reasons mentioned above. Like I said I used to foil all of my NMF subject before I found an easier way (for me).

I suggest that you anneal your foil to get it to stretch over details better. Use a that rolls to flatten down your foil instead of a tool that rubs. Needle bearings rolled over the foil with your finger. Add a little lubricant such as water to keep the friction down helps too. When you do rub…rub in the direction of the airflow over the surface…if you’re going to scratch it…scratch it in the same way the environment in which it operates would.

Here’s one from back in the day…it has seen better times as it is missing parts from several moves.

I might have to build a 50/50 NMF…half foil half my paints to illustrate the results.

7

Hey HawkeyeHobbies I like your 152 thanks for posting it. I am going to have to find a 152 kit in 1/48 scale to build myself. Also if you do build that 50/50 NMF I hope you post it would really like to see the results.