Bare Metal Foil

I have come across some old foil before, and it does seem to lose its adhesive properties (although I have never had the same problem with foil that has been applied to models. My guess is that since it is not pressed ver hard onto the backing paper, that it allows air to get underneath and dry the adhesive.

My advice? Toss it, go get more. Dont risk screwing up a good kit with bad foil.

666Irish wrote:

My advice? Toss it, go get more. Dont risk screwing up a good kit with bad foil.

I agree. Thanks.

The shelf life of BMF is measured in months. Keeping it in the freezer is supposed to extend the life, but I haven't tried it.

There is little in life so frustrating as BMF with no sticky!

Other than attached to the foil? I don't think so. Can't see anything on their website.

I had a sheet that the foil crazed and when I emailed BMF they told me that the shelf life was pretty short. Which is much like my interest in their product now! 

Triarius wrote:

Don't they sell the adhesive?

I don't believe they do. I know there arecompanies that make foil adhesives on the market. 

Even after applied to a model the foils adhesive will dry and could potentially begin to peel off. The biggest issues with foiling a model is it will show any flaws on the models surface, much like using a NMF paint. Compound this with the lumps and bumps (orange peel effect) of the adhesive themselves as well as becoming scratched from the application process of burnishing it onto the model. The worse thing that makes a model standout that it was 'foiled' is the saggy baggy puckers around raised details such as rivets. Reminds me of panty hose bagging around a womans ankles after they had lost their snap and cling from wearing them too long.

I'll stick to painting NMF and use foil for accents or specialty applications that make more sense than painting.  

Bgrigg wrote:

The shelf life of BMF is measured in months. Keeping it in the freezer is supposed to extend the life, but I haven't tried it. There is little in life so frustrating as BMF with no sticky!

Well that stinks! I mainly use it on landing gear only to simulate the highly polished oleos on the landing gear hydraulic shaft. There is no way I could use a sheet in a couple months.  

Bgrigg wrote:

The shelf life of BMF is measured in months. Keeping it in the freezer is supposed to extend the life, but I haven't tried it. There is little in life so frustrating as BMF with no sticky!

Why would you store something that is prone to drying out by putting it in an evironment that is as dry as a desert...a frost free freezer? Ever wonder why ice cubes vanish when no one is using them? Freezed dried coffee...cold dehyration process. Nope, keep them sealed in a Zip-Loc bag in a dark place.  

Well, this should be interesting. I have quite a bit stored in plastic bags in the basement. It's been there for at least three years…

HawkeyeHobbies wrote:

Bgrigg wrote: The shelf life of BMF is measured in months. Keeping it in the freezer is supposed to extend the life, but I haven't tried it. There is little in life so frustrating as BMF with no sticky! Why would you store something that is prone to drying out by putting it in an evironment that is as dry as a desert...a frost free freezer? Ever wonder why ice cubes vanish when no one is using them? Freezed dried coffee...cold dehyration process. Nope, keep them sealed in a Zip-Loc bag in a dark place.

I wouldn't. That's why I haven't bothered to try it. Matter of fact it was the BMF people that suggested that. Perhaps it was their way of selling more sheets?

I'm switching back to paint, myself!

Bgrigg wrote:

There is little in life so frustrating as BMF with no sticky!

Then it becomes "Reynolds Wrap"

wing_nut wrote:

Bgrigg wrote: There is little in life so frustrating as BMF with no sticky!   Then it becomes "Reynolds Wrap"

I thought it looked familiar!

Once down and buffed into place it should stay put. I work in the printing industry and am considered a bit of an expert on paper. Peel and stick papers also have a shelf life that is guaranteed by the manufacturer. It doesn't mean that it won't still work past that date, just that it might not and they aren't at fault. The reason is that the edges of the sheet allow air to penetrate the glue layer and dry out the adhesive. As Gerald points out keeping the sheet in a ziploc bag in a dark place helps a lot. I made the mistake of leaving the sheet in the paper envelope that BMF supplies and I'm sure that contributed to the problem.

Those aircraft look awesome! 

I'm in agreement with HawkeyeHobbies, use it for accents and details... 

but if you must try to reuse old foil try that adhesive the craft ladies use on their "gold leaf" projects....  I've had pretty good success with it and plain old Tin foil..., though there are dozens of makes, you would need to do some testing to find out just the right one.. And there are "aluminum foils" for that hobby, but don't waste your time, way too fragile.

[Tin foil hint: the cheaper it is the thinner it will be, also "baked potatoe foil" will be WAY thinner - that is if you can find it!]

-sean 

How does Alclad II look on the landing gear oleos of aircraft in comparison?

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but what exactly is Bare Metal Foil, and how do you use it. Sorry if its a stupid or obvious answer/question.

Thanks,

David