how to use bare metal foil

[gtcapri]

can anyone help with using bare metal foil

[Guest]

As often as this subject comes up, you'd think we would have a pinned tutorial on it in the Tips, Tricks and Tutorials section. I can give you a quick and dirty.

Tools you'll need: straight edge, tooth pick, BRAND NEW blade in your Xacto knife and a cotton cloth.

First, make sure your trim you want to foil is smooth as possible. Sand with at least 1000 grit and clean with alcohol. Foil won't stick as well to a textured surface and the texture will show through the foil.

Measure the length of the piece of trim you want to foil and add at least 4mms to the length. More if you want.

Using your straight edge, cut a strip of foil 3-4 mms wide. Then, cut to length.

Peel your strip of foil up gently and place it on your trim.

Using the tip of your finger, gently rub the foil just enough to get it to stick in place. DO NOT rub down any foil that will need to be removed.

Take your tooth pick and sand one end to a dull point. On the other end, cut a sharp chisel into it and sand it smooth.

Rub your foil down first with the dull pointed end. Using the chisel end, rub the foil down into the line around your trim.

Take your Xacto and cut very gently around the edge of your trim. It doesn't much pressure at all to cut the foil.

You can fold the excess around on the other edge if you want. I cut mine off with the edge of the trim so that it isn't visible on the interior.

Take your cotton cloth, wrap it over your finger and rub over your foil firmly. This gives the foil a good final burnish as well as a shine.