well after 26 hours of work it is done. the p-38j is foiled, problem it looks like it has been in the water for way too long. some wrinkles have shown themselves and they are being stubborn. well let me show you.
so any suggestions on how to get rid of them. right now i am using toothpicks, cotton swabs, and a cotton rag to work on them.
didnt want to do this but…HELP.
joe
Oh boy, I wish I could give you some advice from own experience. Unfortunately I have only used BMF on small, relatively flat surfaces like wing panels. Maybe that’s why I never had to deal with so many wrinkles. Of course, the P-38 has some of the most complex curves on its airframe which make this a very difficult plane to cover. Of course, it’s also the reason why it’s so darn pretty[8D]. My best suggestion would be to remove the foil from the worst areas and then re-cover one or two panels at a time. Don’t go ahead and try it just yet. I’m sure there’s a few guys out there with many BMF builds under their belt that can give you better advice. Don’t give up though: from what I can see the wings and fuselage look awesome!
Check out this tool tip by Bucky Sheftall:
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/objects/pdf/foiledlightning.pdf
He describes covering a P-38 with BMF, imagine that!
sorry joe no answers here,but i will think about it.
Joe, did you use Bare Metal Foil or something like kitchen type aluminum foil ? Regular aluminum foil is a lot thicker and harder to get smooth, especially on compound curves. Only advice is to work on small sections at a time & don’t move on until you’re satisfied with that area.
Have you thought about ironing it? That always seems to get the wrinkles out. I’m sorry to say that, unless the other guys come up with something better, you’d be better off stripping it.
well my frustration made the choice for me. i was carefully working the wrinkles and getting angrier and angrier. instead of walking away like i should have, i began ripping the foil off. thankfully i only ripped off some of the worst areas. the new foil seems to be working better.
the biggest problems i have are of my own making. i used much too big of pieces of foil, and much too much glue in places. ahh well the experience is definitely a learning one.
joe
Best wishes on the fixes, Joe.
Dan
joe, i’ve never used bare metal foil besides for masking, but i have read some articles. first of all, you are a braver man than i for attempting this tedious little undertaking!! but, the one article mentioned cutting each panel out separately and rubbing it down smooth, then, going to the next panel and so on and so forth. i guess that would work well if you have recessed panel lines as you can use the panel recesses as a guide for you x-acto blade.
my suggestion, strip the stuff off and go purchase some alclad!! i know that dont help your feelings at all, but that stuff is excellent!! good luck. later.
that was my first instinct also chris. however impatience and early success gave me the illusion of an easy build. I WAS WRONG. its very interesting to see this a/c in foil. like was told me it looks like a baked potatoe.
joe
Well Joe all I can say is…Thankyou for asking the question.
I am about to start covering an RAAF Dehaviland Vampire and this has stoped me maning some serious errors.
I too am an impatient little so and so and am apt to blame the whole world not me!
So ance again Thanks for Asking.
Dai