peteski

Thanks guys. This is not a project I'm ready to tackle, but it is good to have options. Silver plating sounds interesting but unlike aluminum, in my experience silver tarnishes, turning dull or even black. I suppose it could be clear coated, but that just adds another layer to the finish. As for problems vacuum aluminizing 3D printed parts, there are different printing technologies and materials out there. If I do decide to send them to Dale, I'll discuss it with him first.

Good question. I'm talking about the standard vacuum aluminizing process used for decades on model kit's "chrome"parts (not real chromium electroplating). The process where a clear coat is applied to the part, then the shiny aluminum layer is deposited over the clear. The thickness and overall quality of the process can vary. I have worked with some factory "chromed" parts where no appreciable thickness has been added (Japanese made kits are usually the best). I have also seen where the clear coat was applied rather heavily. But the aftermarket vacuum aluminizing ("plating") companies (at this point I think we only have one left in USA) usually do a good job with the process, not adding much thickness to the part's surface. Not more than a layer of black gloss enamel followed by Alclad II chrome. I'm still not sure how I'll handle finishing those wheels.

This is the bane of the modelers. "Acryilc" is a nebulous term. Acrylic resin is the paint's binder (look it up if unfamiliar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint ). There are acrylic lacquers *AND* enamels, using hot and milder solvents (including water). Modelers really need to gain better understanding of paint chemistry for successful results (especially if using multiple coats of different types or brands of paints). Yes, yes, I know that in modeler's colloquial terms "acrylic" is supposed to mean "water based acrylic-binder enamel". Still, that is not the best way to to approach the subject of compatibility.

That is the main problem with the hobbyists. Many just put every paint in the enamel or acrylic buckets, where when in fact are many formulations of each type of paint out there (especially if one starts using paints not made for the hobby market). Same goes goes for even different brands of paints. When you do that, you are always doing an experiment (on your precious model, if you didn't to a spoon test first). When mixing paints and brands you always run a risk of incompatibility.

I doubt you can save it. Even ignoring the facts that cured enamel is difficult to remove, and it also likely soaked into the paper, the most problematic is that whatever solvent is used to remove the paint, will almost certainly also start dissolving the ink that was used to print the box. But you have nothing to lose by trying..

Should not dull the chrome paint (you use water, and decal has water-soluble adhesive), but any clear film outside the image will be noticeable. But if you also use decal setting solutions, those might affect the chrome paint's surface.

I would not give up yet. He has been a member here since 2011, and has 2,100 post count. Last visited on July 5th. I don't think he would shaft another member here for some model kit parts, then run. Something probably happened to delay him. It would be nice if he contacted you with an explanation, but maybe he can't?

That depends on how precise the fit of the punch and die is. If they have very close fit then they can punch even very thin materials, but it the fit is too sloppy, then the thin punched material will tear or even stretch.

From what I have seen mentioned here, Testors never owned any kit molds. Models were always molded by other companies and packaged by Testors. If they didn't own them how could have they kept them?

If someone is willing to spend such an excessive amount of money on one of those models, it is their prerogative to do so. That way the buyer is happy that they got what they wanted, and seller is happy with the profit. Unless we actually were to ask the buyer "why", we'll never know what drove them to buy it.

I also thought it was Eastern European, but the wheels looked like Porsche wheels.

If the photos are of the actual model they're selling then nobody's fooling anybody. The buyer knows exactly what they are getting and is willing to spend the (unreasonably high to many) amount of money on the model. It is worth it for them, and they have the money to spend. Our own Paul Hettick regularly sell finished models on eBay which often fetch way more than a thousand dollars. Those are curbside resin models. No engine, no opening features. But they are unique.

Funny or not, my orange capped hexagonal bottle (Item 87012) doesn't have "LIMONEN" on its label (just "TAMIYA CEMENT"), and it smells like acetone and alcohol. Is your bottle hexagonal or square? What is the item number (on its label)? I'm not here for a peeing contest - I just warned members here to stay away from any citrus-based cements, after it messed up my model.

No way man! Faith gets humanity in huge trouble (more ways than one). Metal foil which is incredibly thin, and retains its shape after forming is nothing like the fuzzy stuff you are using, I have never seen BMF lift off any surface (including it's backing carrier) all by itself. Sure, BMF can be lifted off if someone applies force to it (like scratching it), but like I mentioned, I worry that your stuff will lift all by itself. And trying to fix something on the car interior floor is not the easiest job. Yes, in your example, black carpeting deep in the model's deep and dark foot wells will not be very visible (especially if the floor was painted black to begin with. But I'm not trying to discourage you from using it - I just voiced my views on this method of model carpeting, and clearly also stated my reasons. This is from my life's experience with pressure sensitive adhesive materials. Others can make up their own mind.

Not the most popular choice, but I would go with the organic-solvent based (stinky) paint. No fuss, no muss - they are much easier to deal with and work well. I don't get along with water based paints.

I'm very surprised that a wash would discolor BMF (which is metal foil). Some modelers actually foil the scripts on the bare plastic body, then paint the model, then remove the paint over the scripts with lacquer thinner, then polish the exposed foil scripts. Sounds like you probably didn't clean the wash residue well enough from the foil. You should not only be able to clean off the wash residue, then polish the foil to a very bright finish. To me BMF would be the best and cleanest way to accomplish what you want.

A Slusher's photo clearly shows, there are multiple glue "flavors" with an orange cap. The "limonene" is also clearly stated on the label. I just warned others about it, even though I have never seen that specific Tamiya cement in any hobby stores in USA.

Interesting. It would make sense that it is for the waterside decals they do sell (but not the metal foils).

I originally bought a set from Jack Modeling, but they (while extremely well done, with thin interwoven spokes) are not accurate for for this car. I then bought a set from www.motobitz.uk Part# MBA24059. Those are also well made, and include very well rendered tires (much nicer than the Revell tires). They also include corrected disk brake/hub spindles for the Revell kit. My problem is that the wheel and tire are one-piece. I wanted to send the wheels to be "chromed" and with the tire being part of it, that makes things more difficult. I'm planning on contacting Jason from Jack Modelling with suggestions on how to modify this wheels to make them accurate for the Jaguar model. it would be nice to have multiple options available.

Yes the fuzzy self-adhesive sticker material looks great, but with stickers I always worry that after few years the adhesive will weaken and the material will relax, and peel away from the curved surfaces.

I would stay away from any citrus-based (probably D-Limonen) styrene cements. Some if you remember the non-toxic blue tube Testors glue which smelled like oranges but didn't work well at all. Then later on there seem to be a run of citrus based liquid cements. I used that once, and never again. It worked well, but it never fully evaporated. I used it to glue fuel tank halves together on a Peterbilt kit. I sanded and polished the seam and it looked smooth. I then sent it to be "chrome" plated. Tank looked fine, but then within few months, the seam became more and more visible (like it was shrinking. I could also smell very faint orange smell. Stay away from any citrus-based adhesives!

Milo, I'm curious about what made you think you needed a setting solution for BMF? Bare Metal Foil is adhesive-backed metal foil, Not a water slide decal solution. It is like self-adhesive stickers. No solution should be needed or used.

I clicked on this "click-bait" thread and I see that there is some very useful info. But why not have a more descriptive subject line, like "Where is the distributor on a 1941 Lincoln Continental engine?" I'm a huge proponent for descriptive subject lines to make searching the forum easier. IIf you agree, how about editing the initial post and change the subject line. "Where's Waldo" is simply silly. Very cute, but useless.

I have not, but many CA debonders contain acetone or other strong solvents which will craze polystyrene. Just a heads-up.

That is too bad. My condolences to this family.