Make your own foil.

[Longbox55]

I gave this a try on a Mobius Hudson, used Micro Scale adhesive (I already had it on hand) and Meijer brand foil. Worked much better than BMF in my opinion.

Matthew, the door locks and the "Twin H Power" badge on the trunk lid were done using metal leafing, as I found it easier to do those that way. It basically amounted to painting them as one would with "chrome" paint, only using the adhesive size, then applying the leaf. I find that works sell on very small items that would be difficult to do with regular foil.

[Snake45]

  On 5/2/2015 at 3:55 PM, Snake45 said:

On your suggestion, I bought some of this today. I think it's thinner than the name-brand kitchen foil like Reynolds Wrap, but I've got cheap generic kitchen foil that seems about the same.

 

It has a "shiny" side and a duller side.

 

I don't think it will take compound curves or superfine detail as well as BMF, but it'll work pretty good for a lot of things. I'll be using it, at any rate.

 

For those of you who already have a roll of cheap generic foil in your toolbox, DON'T go out of your way to a Michaels (like to the next town, or whatever) for this.

 

But who knows? I might have a higher opinion of the stuff after I've actually used it.

Finally got around to trying the candy wrapper foil. It didn't work that well for me.

It seemed thinner, more fragile and less flexible than the thin generic kitchen foil I've been using. Might work okay for very thin, very flat stuff, though.

If it matters, I was trying to do the hood vents on a '63 Vette. I've stripped it back off and will be redoing with kitchen foil. I know that will work, as I've already done two of them using that.

[John Pol]

Do you have to put the foil on wax paper to use it for later on

[Snake45]

  On 7/18/2016 at 6:17 PM, John Pol said:

Do you have to put the foil on wax paper to use it for later on

I only make up what I'm going to use at one sitting. I don't have much waste, and I toss the leftovers.

[Harry P.]

Different strokes for different folks, I guess... and if you want to use some sort of "home brew" foil, more power to ya! But considering how well BMF works, I really see no need to re-invent the wheel.

[Snake45]

  On 7/18/2016 at 10:23 PM, Harry P. said:

Different strokes for different folks, I guess... and if you want to use some sort of "home brew" foil, more power to ya! But considering how well BMF works, I really see no need to re-invent the wheel.

If I had a local source of fresh BMF, I might have a higher opinion of it. But I don't, so I have to improvise, adapt, and overcome.

[peteski]

  On 7/18/2016 at 10:47 PM, Snake45 said:

If I had a local source of fresh BMF, I might have a higher opinion of it. But I don't, so I have to improvise, adapt, and overcome.

Ordering directly from BMF is not an potion for you?  Shipping is too costly?

Maybe buy few sheets and keep them in the fridge until you need them?

[Snake45]

  On 7/20/2016 at 3:48 AM, peteski said:

Ordering directly from BMF is not an potion for you?  Shipping is too costly?

Maybe buy few sheets and keep them in the fridge until you need them?

That's all a lot of hassle and expense compared to my "chrome" techniques. Admittedly, there are things BMF can do that my workarounds can't, but I seem to get along okay without it.

[Ace-Garageguy]

[Ace-Garageguy]

  On 7/18/2016 at 10:23 PM, Harry P. said:

Different strokes for different folks, I guess... and if you want to use some sort of "home brew" foil, more power to ya! But considering how well BMF works, I really see no need to re-invent the wheel.

I know guys who do fiberglass work at home and use PAM cooking spray or talcum powder instead of commercially available mold-release that works a lot better than the BS and doesn't really cost much. Of course, the REAL stuff doesn't give your parts that nice buttery flavor, or keep them from getting prickly-heat rash. 

Edited July 20, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[Snake45]

  On 7/20/2016 at 5:59 PM, Ace-Garageguy said:

Okay, so you've made yourself a nifty BMF-covered hat.

[Ace-Garageguy]

  On 7/20/2016 at 6:25 PM, Snake45 said:

Okay, so you've made yourself a nifty BMF-covered hat.

And it looks as good as a lot of the other BMF jobs I've seen, too.  

[Snake45]

  On 7/20/2016 at 6:32 PM, Ace-Garageguy said:

And it looks as good as a lot of the other BMF jobs I've seen, too.  

Agreed!

[peteski]

  On 7/20/2016 at 1:00 PM, Snake45 said:

That's all a lot of hassle and expense compared to my "chrome" techniques. Admittedly, there are things BMF can do that my workarounds can't, but I seem to get along okay without it.

Did you also count the time it takes you to make a batch of your foil?  Time is money.

Or you could spend it on something less mundane than making your own adhesive foil.

[Snake45]

  On 7/21/2016 at 2:23 AM, peteski said:

Did you also count the time it takes you to make a batch of your foil?  Time is money.

Or you could spend it on something less mundane than making your own adhesive foil.

I don't make "batches," I just prepare what I need for the job at hand.

Takes me less time to smear some Micro Metal Foil Adhesive on the backside of some foil than it took you to type your post. Or me this one.

Next!