NMF.....What do you think???

[sharkman]

So, in another group build on another site, I'm planning to build a B-25 in NMF. Its been suggested I try foil.

While waiting for the gloss coat to dry on the catalina, I played around with some aluminum foil duct work tape with adhesive backing. Tried it out on an old kingfisher float. Seemed to work quite well and it was easy to apply but its a little shiny. Might need to find a way to tone it down a bit.

Anyway, still messing around with it. At this point, I think I'm going to try and go with the foil. Might use regular store bought though and apply my own adhesive. I like the results thus far!!

Anyone ever try this?

Comments?

 

[jknaus]

I've never done it myself, but I have seen it done. Your sample looks excellent. Microscale makes a foil adhesive. Its watery, but very strong. I actually use it for ground work.
http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MD&Product_Code=MI-8&Product_Count=&Category_Code=
You can also soak the foil in vinegar or boiled egg water to get different shades. Of course rinsing well afterwards. I think a nice satin finish should give you just the sheen you want.
Looking forward to seeing the B-25.
James

 

[paddy]

I did a P47 in the BMF you get from Bare metal foil. Its self adhesive and ultra thin. It also comes in different finish from chrome to flat alloy.

It takes decals perfectly and also takes a flat clear coat as above. as it also comes in black, D-day stripes are easy, just spray a white panels and add black strips of BMF.

This shows the white area with BMF up to its edges and the black stripes. Also shows the yellow before and after the BMF is applied
I would recommend using a silver undercoat all over the aircraft before applying BMF as it helps it stick as the self adhesive doesn't like bare plastic so much. It also hides any inevitable gaps in the BMF if you have silver behind. So you basically start off with something like this

And WIP on a Wyvern

For jets you often want a high gloss finish and this is really easy !! Simply apply your foil them polish it with metal polish and a super smooth cloth. Practice on a scrap bit and go easy but the finish will be better than any alclad or spray finish.

Make sure you make all your joins on panel lines. keep the grain going the same way unless the panels are removable like gun covers in the wing. Lay on a piece of BMF so it covers a panel line and cut down the panel line with a super sharp scalpel and peel away the excess, lay the next piece so it covers the same panel line and over the first piece edge , cut with a super sharp scalpel down the panel line again and peel away the excess and you will have a perfect join in the panel line recess.

HTH's

 

[moon puppy]

Love those shinny things!

 

[sharkman]

Thanks James and Paddy! I appreciate the help. Once I get the cat out of the way, I'll try a few of these ideas out!

 

[Adam Baker]

I've seen articles on Hyperscale of people using regular aluminum foil for bare metal finishes. You can tint it like suggested w/ different things. One thing I've heard, to get a slightly copper finish, is to soak it in liquid (vinegar maybe) w/ a few pennies in it. Length of exposure will determine the color.

I want to say I copied the article on to my computer, but my main hard drive died Saturday night, so my computer is down for at least a couple of weeks, so I cant pull it up, but I would bet there are articles on it on the net.