Bare Metal Foil

Hi PoSII, I have never used clear coat over BMF myself but why should you?

BMF is not cheap and the reason for using it in the first place, in my opinion, is the finish of the product. Why should you "hide" it's finish underneath any clear coat, it is real metal so I would use this to your best advantage, i.e leaving it as it is.

Knowing some people use BMF as masking tape for aircraft canopies I guess it can withstand clearcoat aswell.

No, don't clear coat it. There's just no point. If you used the "ultra bright" bmf, there'd be no need to gloss it.

Thanks for your responses, guys.  It's not that I want to coat it.  It looks great as is!  But there was some paint chipping in handling near the BMF.  I repainted & want to clear coat that, but it's right next to the BMF.  I was curious what would happen in any got on the BMF.  Sorry if I wasn't clearer about that detail.

Anything that gets on the BMF will affect its finish, it seems to be really sensitive. Just trust me on that one. If you want to mask it off to reapply your clear topcoat to the painted areas, try using something very lowwwwwwwwww tack, like Post-It notes. Or use a brush and do it by hand.

if in the end you do get some paint or clear coat on the BMF you can re-apply / patch a small part of BMF over the affected BMF. The BMF is so thin you will barely see there is an extra piece fitted overlapping the other.

For the most part I agree with these guys, HOWEVER, there is a point to clearcoating over it.  The BMF isn't going to stock worth a damn to a polished AND waxed model.  Some people wax and some don't.  For those who don't it's no big deal.  I however do wax my models.  BMF will not stick to wax.  Clearcoating will help to keep the BMF in place during waxing.  If you don't then it will come right off when you try to wax.  You still have to be careful around it though.  Most things will affect the sheen, however I use ultra bright foil and I use future over it all.  About 2 or 3 coats usually, more would do well, but I'm too lazy to be honest.  It does not affect the finish of the foil to any degree you would notice, and certainly does not dull the finish.  If y'all don't agree with me, then I would be happy to post before and after pictures when I do my next kit.  I might have some in my photo bucket right now come to think of it.  If yer gonna wax though, then I would put several coats of future over it, or some other clear, and then wax.  If not gonna wax it, then don't clear coat it, unless yer model will be handled alot.  It will help to secure it.

 

Michael