1/18 bare metal Mustang.

Airacobra · Post by **Airacobra** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:54 pm

I was digging through my planes and found this project I was working on. I haven't touched it in quite a while and there is still work to be done but I thought I would show my progress so far. I found this covering called Bare Metal Foil and thought I would try it out on a Mustang. I have used Testors Metal paint before with decent results but was always left wanting more. Be advised, this is the first time I touched this stuff and had no idea what to expect. So far I am blown away by the realistic look of the metal. Be warned, this stuff shows everything. You can actually see the markings through this stuff, it shows that much detail. That is why this is more of a test project before I get more serious on the next plane. Anyways, take a look and let me know what you think. Sorry if the pictures are of poor quality, but I am by no means a photographer.

http://img24.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=pics016i.jpg

Killerf6 · Post by **Killerf6** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 10:33 pm

I was thinking of doing the same thing. You're just braver than I am.
The pics look pretty good. I'm curious too see how it turns out.

Airacobra · Post by **Airacobra** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 1:38 pm

Here are some more photos. This time outside while the sun is out. This covering really shines in the day light.

http://img22.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=morepics011.jpg

Killerf6 · Post by **Killerf6** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:51 am

Wow that's shiny. You're going to need sun glasses to look at it.

This is the stuff that is like gold leaf? What do you use as an adhesive?

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:33 am

Killerf6 wrote:Wow that's shiny. You're going to need sun glasses to look at it.

This is the stuff that is like gold leaf? What do you use as an adhesive?

AWESOME custom project by the way. I don't have the patience for that myself so I totally respect those that do! Great Work!

Airacobra · Post by **Airacobra** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:14 pm

Killerf6 wrote:Wow that's shiny. You're going to need sun glasses to look at it.

This is the stuff that is like gold leaf? What do you use as an adhesive?

The covering is called Bare Metal Foil and it is self adhesive. The stuff is truly incredible. I'm not kidding when I say it shows every detail, even the paint lines from the markings. This is basically a practice run for me and I plan to do a more complete job on the next one. I didn't remove any of the paint for this plane but I will on the next one.

Airacobra · Post by **Airacobra** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:24 pm

tko211 wrote:
Killerf6 wrote:Wow that's shiny. You're going to need sun glasses to look at it.

This is the stuff that is like gold leaf? What do you use as an adhesive?

AWESOME custom project by the way. I don't have the patience for that myself so I totally respect those that do! Great Work!

Thanks for the compliment, it means a lot coming from you. I always check into your customs thread to see what you're up to next. I really like the Spitfire, P-40 and Mustang. I only have one Spitfire and I want to do a custom Messerspit but I am having a hard time bringing myself to lop off the nose of that bird. Hopefully in time I will grow a set and start that project. You're right about having patience with this project. I have seen some people just take whole sheets and slap them over large portions of the airframe to save time but I do one panel at a time and switch up the direction of the grain as I go. Not sure if this is exactly how the real birds were assembled but it adds some contrast to an otherwise monotone scheme. Doing this one panel at a time also raises the cost considerably because you go through way more foil this way. I will try to get more and better pictures when I'm close to finished because the pictures just don't do this covering justice in my opinion.

Killerf6 · Post by **Killerf6** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:54 pm

Thanks for the intel Aircobra. I think it looks great. I'm looking forward to more pics.
How small of an area can you do? Can you mask off an area like you would with paint? E.g. could you do the frame on a cockpit canopy?
I really like your idea of doing each panel individually, and changing the direction of the grain. I'll bet that does increase the cost, and iirc that stuff isn't exactly cheap.

Airacobra · Post by **Airacobra** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:33 pm

Killerf6 wrote:Thanks for the intel Aircobra. I think it looks great. I'm looking forward to more pics.
How small of an area can you do? Can you mask off an area like you would with paint? E.g. could you do the frame on a cockpit canopy?
I really like your idea of doing each panel individually, and changing the direction of the grain. I'll bet that does increase the cost, and iirc that stuff isn't exactly cheap.

You can do the frame of a cockpit, I did the forward canopy already. The bubble portion will be a bit tougher but it can be done. You can actually do some pretty small areas. For instance, I was able to do the aileron control horns but that took a couple attempts. I have a P-38 that would look good covered in the foil, and it might be next in line. I just shutter a bit when I think of buying all the foil needed for that plane.