Hi friends! Here’s how I make scale galvanized sheet metal roofing panels. This works great at the 1/25 scales I use (G scale on trains). Each one with a unique style, color, and pattern yet uniform at the same time. Like this:
1 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Materials I used are all from Amazon. An artist’s oil paint tube crimper, 36 gauge aluminum foil, and the ferric chloride. Gloves, eye protection and ventilation; I cannot stress this enough. This is nasty stuff that gives of toxic fumes. Work outside! Chemical and tools:
2 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Carefully cut your strips to your desired width. Be careful here as well. These edges are sharp!
3 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Align your strip into the crimper. It’s 3" wide, but I found that it’s really hard to keep the aluminum foil straight. I used 2" for my panels and they fed in quite nicely.
4 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Turn the metal through the crimper. The strips can wander off course as you go, but corrections can be made as you go. Keep as straight as you can. This wore my wrist out. Take breaks!
5 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
You get this:
7 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Strips crimped and ready.
8 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Cut your desired panel size.
8 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
If you have multiple sizes to do, bag them in groups. This will save you some headaches and time re-sorting them after you’re done. Make some extras, too. There’s a learning curve so you’ll want a few more.
9 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Ready? Time to acid. Top down: first container is just plain water, next two are baking soda/water (to stop the reaction), bottom one will be the acid.
12 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Pour very carefully. Wear gloves and eye protection. Do this outside.
14 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Dip the panel. Depending on the outside temp, the acid can attack quicker when warm. It’s cold today so I’ve got some initial work time to test before it starts to get warm; the acid will put off it’s own heat from the reaction. The pan above it is neutralizing a test piece.
15 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
About 10 seconds. This will dissolve the panel entirely if not careful.
16 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Acid 10 seconds, stop the reaction a couple times, put in the last water/soda pan.
18 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Wash thoroughly. They’ll appear black, but really come to life as they dry.
19 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
My test pieces.
20 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Here we are.
23 by Jason Stoots, on Flickr
Hope this helps someone. Feel free to ask any questions. If you try this, be safe.
Thanks for looking.
J