Adhesion problems Bare Metal Foil

Hi Johnny :

 I get what is called Micro  Scale Foil Adhesive and the cheapest ( read thinnest ) shiniest foil I can find . Then I take a piece the size of a bumper sticker ( their backing paper works best ) And after burnishing it face down on a piece of glass , I carefully apply the adhesive with the softest paint brush I have .The trick is keeping the adhesive thin and no brushmarks around .

 Let it dry . It goes on looking like a thin version of Elmers school glue . When it is dry it is clear . Then take the foil and turn it shiny side up and lay it over the backing paper . Burnish it down till there's no wrinkles and trim the edges with a brand new X-Acto blade . Go over one more time with a soft cloth . 

 You can make a whole lot of it that way . Don't let the adhesive get affected by to cold or to hot temp variants . It doesn't like that ! two more points here .Look carefully at your foil .In a bright lighted area you will see a grain .Yup ! It's from the steel rollers that brought it down to it 's very thin state . Run them lengthwise on the piece .

 Next ; If you want duller pieces  ,Turn it shiny side up and apply the glue to that .There you should have shiny and dull foil to use . Store it inside a drawer under a heavy book or in the book . Flat and dark is what it loves . till you use it .

 Use rubber and wood burnishing tools and gently burnish ( Rub ) it into place .Then finsh up on shiny stuff with some passes from a fairly new X-Acto blade alluminum Handle that has no marks or dents on it . Somehow , when you burnish seams with this especially on say Bumper ends , the seam disappears !

 Remember those handles are aluminum too . I don't know why it works that is , but it works ! The biggest cost over time is the Bumper stickers .You have to have the ones that have the One Piece backing .Not the small ones with two pieces split length-wise .

Tank Builder,

I agree with you 100% regarding how age and temperature affects BMF. The odd thing is that I purchase my foil directly from Bare Metal Foil?? I thought that by doing so I would be getting the freshest batch. 

You said that you make your own. How do you do that?

Johnny K

Johnny K ;

 Hey there  . I have found from experience that is  inherent in any foil product that has adhesive on it . Say you bought yours , at Joe Model's  shop and he keeps a small supply in there .

 Now being in a southern state , you have to be careful of that happening .Why ? Well how long did cases of the product sit in a warehouse or Unheated /Uncooled trailer Before it got to Joe Model's. 

 The adhesive in Randy's product is the most stable I've experienced . But even that doesn't fare well to being cooked or frozen ! Most adhesives don't . Want proof ? Go to store . Get a Hook for your wall . What kind ? Scotch Command Strip .

 I have purchased this product quite often . Sometimes they'll stick till the cows come home .OR , they'll fail after a week or so when you least expect or want them to .

 Again it comes down to the temps and locations the product is stored . I bought bare - Metal once that had been the last sheet the Hobby Shop had . It was in the window .

 Had been there for about two years  in very Hot afternoon sun .  What I could peel off the backing paper sure didn't want to stick ! Most went in the trash , because it would only tear when I tried removing it from it's backing paper ! Even after cutting through the foil to do a panel .

  That's one reason I started doing my own . I still buy Bare - Metal , though . It serves well and I keep it flat in a cool dark place . 

Hmmmm, the school stick glue seems promising.

I e-mailed Randy at BMF today. 

 You can fasten it the old school way with Elmer's white glue thinned 50% with water. or I,ve had some luck using the stick school glue, or return it and get a refund or replacement.