Would FSM please consider doing an article on how to use foil to acheive a BMF?? I am sure there would be enough interest in this and there are probably a lot of tips and hints that are available that I don’t know about. Some of the things that need to be covered would be on applying it, painting it, decaling it and Futuring it. I spent 12 bucks on a Testors burnishing tool only to discover that a simple Q-tip works better. Also is there any way to remove small wrinkles?? And how do you foil compound curves such as intakes and around the tail?? Thanks for considering this as at the moment I’m pretty much doing it blind and by trial and error. Kinda like tap dancing in a mine field.
There have been a few articles on this in past issues, but an update would be nice.
Regards, Rick
I remember a few years ago they did up a P-38, but I’d like an update too, especially since I finally bought some!
My feeling is that articles are fine, but even with tips on how to cut the foil and lift it from the backing, it still requires A LOT OF SKILL. I tried it once and it beat me, not the application, but the appearence. To me, models that are foiled look exactly that, a model airplane with aluminum foil all over it. Better results can be acheived with Alclad ll IMHO…
BMFing is like danc’in with the devil…roadkill
…be nice to see some insightive tips on application of the stuff…
however, i can’t help but think that it comes down to practice…practice…practice
crockett…please, don’t take this wrong but, i’ve seen some contest/show builds BMF’ed and they were as exquisite as your Alclad II F-84 effort…
Yes, that’s probably true. But how do you practice something you don’t know much about??
build a lot of nmf birds. try different foils. work on skills. just dig in.
joe
Always use the cheapest and thinnest foil you can find (not renolds wrap - but like 99 cent store stuff for household alumimum). For glue either a can of spray mount or “gold leaf size” and finally the application with Q-tips as an initial burnisher and on to tooth picks for final burnishing. Also, as I discovered from FightingJoe, Don’t be afraid to use either side of the foil - one side is glossy and the other side is flat.
It is always best to work on a panel by panel basis with the seams located in the panel lines. For Compound curves and intakes use smaller pieces with a very small overlap.
For most wrinkles a good burnishing with a rounded tooth pick will suffice - but if not, well - remove the offending piece and redo.
I agree, a BMF article would be good idea. I have been a subscriber to the magazine for only a couple of years, so I didn’t get to read any of the articles in past issues. Doing the foil thing is something I’d like to learn though.[:)]
try this
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/objects/pdf/foiledlightning.pdf
hope this helps
you need acrobat reader for this