StevenGuthmiller

But, would the liquid mask act in the same way as the tape or foil & pull up the Metallizer? It takes very little "tackiness" to mess it up. If I would have been using Alclad at the time, I surely would have used that instead. Problem solved! Steve

Those old 60s Buicks were sure some boats! Nice one Tommy! Steve

The only problem is, if you have any trim around your aluminum panel that requires foiling, the foil will do the same thing as the tape. I used metallizer on a '61 Plymouth & it turned out fine, but I had to cut my foil with a straight edge & carefully lay it on so as not to have any overlap onto the metallizer. Luckily it was all straight pieces of trim! Steve

I use acrylic craft paint. Ceramcoat to be exact. It's water based so you never have to worry about ruining your chrome. Just paint it over your entire grille, let it dry to the touch & then just wipe it off of the high points with a lightly dampened cloth. I usually just let it dry for a half hour & then just rub it off of the grille bars with a tooth pick. Easiest method I've found. I use the same method for door & trunk panel lines, wheels, cowl vents, etc. Here's a couple of examples. Steve

I used to use Testors Metalizers for this sort of thing & I always liked the look of it. My only problem is, the Metalizer sealer destroys the "metal" affect IMO & if you don't seal it, don't even try to mask over it for any reason. The tape will pull half of the surface finish off leaving a mottled look that can't be rubbed back out. Steve

I've had much better luck using Alclad aluminum paint for this sort of application. To me there's not enough difference in appearance between the matte aluminum BMF & the regular. Steve

Picked this '67 Bonneville up on ebay today for $50.00. Seems to be in great condition although it does have one of those "flat" paint jobs that can sometimes be problematic to remove. Only thing missing is the drivers seat. Anybody happen to have one? Steve

Sorry to tell you Steve, but the black chrome & matte aluminum BMF are basically no better than the Ultra Bright! Their too thick, don't stick well & are just generally hard to work with. Keep in mind also that the black finish on the black & the gold on the gold are just a coating over the foil. Any hard rubbing or any kind of solvent will take that finish right off. Steve

That would be your problem. BMF does have a shelf life. I never have that problem. I usually use up a sheet about every three months or so. One thing I've heard is to store it in your freezer if you don't use too much of it. Don't know if that works or not. Never tried it myself. steve

Would work perfectly with a yellow paint job! Steve

It is nice! What is the color? Is it the correct "Gauguin Red"? Looks pretty close. I've always loved that color! Sort of a very bright coral. Steve

I usually don't get a whole lot either, & yes, it can just be rubbed off, but sometimes it takes a little elbow grease. The more you burnish the foil, the more the adhesive gets "spread" around. The WD is just an easy & safe way, (for the finish) to get it taken off quickly. Steve

That makes sense. I've found, at least with automotive lacquer, that the super clean has little to no affect on the paint itself. It dissolves the primer & the paint comes off in sheets. So breaking the surface would help get the ball rolling I would think. Steve

Ah!! I thought I was the only one who used WD40 for that purpose! I mentioned that in a different thread some time back & got flack for it because it will cause paint adhesion problems if you get it on a surface yet to be painted. I just squirt a little in a jar & keep it around for this purpose. A little bit on a Q-tip will take that residue right off. Just don't plan on painting over it & don't go spraying it around your shop like room deodorizer. Steve

Which type are you using Allen? the "Ultra Bright" stuff is really hard to work with IMO. I use mainly the original stuff, now called "New Improved". I cannot think of a time when I've ever had adhesion problems. as a matter of fact, I have more problems getting it back off if I have to remove a piece. Steve

Absolutely nothing about it intimidates me! As a matter of fact, it's become one of my favorite processes in building. I guess I've gained enough experience with it over the years that it's just become routine. In my opinion nothing "transforms" the look of the model more than a good BMF job. I will admit, it can be tedious & time consuming, but the transformation from before to after is amazing to me. I would rather not build than be without it! Steve

Thanks Richard. Can't quite put my finger on it, but it seems there's a hint of purple or something in there that makes it unique. Steve

Sharp! How can you not like pink on a car from the 50s. Steve

Very cool George! Always liked the sedan deliveries. Steve

Looking forward to your projects George! I'm a huge "annual" lover myself. Welcome! Steve

I'm sure that's very true. I'm guessing a lot of kids in the 60s just used whatever paint was handy. Not always hobby paint. I have yet to have an old ebay acquisition with flat black painted parts com clean, either with Super Clean or Easy Off. Don't know how brake fluid would work on it, I avoid it like the plague! Steve

Thanks guys. Tonight I cleaned up the ragged paint edges on the side trim from the masking tape & before I can move on to clear coats I need to mask & paint the panel in between the side spears black in preparation for shooting it with Alclad "Pale Gold". I picked up a quart of Duplicolor "Paint Shop" clear gloss & I'm kind of itching to give it a try. I think I might play it safe & use Duplicolor clear out of a rattle can for the first few coats & then I'll give it a good sanding & polishing before a final coat of the "Paint Shop" clear. I'm hoping it will cut down on final polishing time. We'll see. I'm still kind of in limbo as far as finding a perfect clear coat. Hoping this will be the ticket. The bonus is, a quart should last me a long time! Steve

I'm just the opposite Bill. I usually shoot for hardtops. Especially on these late 50s kits. I figure the interior detailing was so horrendous, the less they're seen the better! Plus Many of the roof lines from the period were just so darn gorgeous! I've been "binging" for the past three years myself. Just picked up another builtup today. A 1967 Pontiac Bonneville hardtop. Scratch another one off of the list. Steve

I know I've had trouble depending on what paint was used. It will barely touch flat black & I've had issues with a few other paints as well. The bane of my existence is looking at an old builtup on ebay that I'm interested in & trying to somehow "glean" what type of paint was used. Nothing worse than spending a wad on a kit that you can't get the paint stripped on! Steve

Could very well be Jim. But I still think the likelihood of ever seeing most of those you mentioned again is very minimal. If they haven't been re-issued since 1965/66..... Well, let's just say I wouldn't hold my breath. Steve