First time using BMF

[smhardesty]

Had an opportunity to use BMF for the first time today. Too bad it wasn't on a build. We had purchased a new wall clock for the new house a couple weeks ago. We didn't notice, or pay attention to the fact, that the center of the clock face was a darker color than the area of the face around the numerals. The hands on the clock were black, so during the evening hours and early morning it was extremely difficult to see that hands. I ordered in some gold BMF and it got here yesterday. Took the clock apart, pulled the hands off, and covered them with BMF. I took me 2 attempts on the first hand I did, but finally got both hands covered and they look mighty fine.

I see now why all you guys say it can take multiple attempts when applying to a model. I had basically a larger, flat surface to work with and cut the foil so I had just enough to wrap around the edges of the hands. At least I now know how delicate BMF is. It'll take me lots more than just a couple attempts to do my first build.

[Junkman]

Since I have my Molotov pens, BMF is thankfully history.
30 years of fighting with that stuff is enough.

[unclescott58]

  On 2/17/2017 at 9:48 PM, Junkman said:

Since I have my Molotov pens, BMF is thankfully history.
30 years of fighting with that stuff is enough.

I'm with you on this one Christian. I hate BMF. And I love the Molotow Liquid Chrome pens. Much easier for me to work to work with. There are one or two instances where may be needed for some things. But for most, the Molotow pens have made them history for me too. 

Scott

 

[DeeCee]

I really like BMF, i find it easy to use as long as your not a tight wad, and allow a little extra, which usually is removed, It is good to see someone else

using it for other thing like i do..

[BigTallDad]

It is my understanding that the Molotow pens don't do well on large flat surfaces; am I missing something?

[Xingu]

To get back on track - Glad you found a use for the gold BMF. There are a few threads down in the tips section about using BMF. Using a new scalpel blade is helpful and having a fair amount of patience is a huge benefit as well. As with all parts of model building, practice will make you better.

[Dodge Driver]

I recommend having a good quality tweezers for your foil work.  A large portion of my frustration went away once I got a better tweezers.

I find myself holding my breath when I'm positioning a piece of foil, as my face is extremely close to what I'm working on. This way I avoid blowing the delicate foil around, making positioning easier.

Successes will build your confidence level as you improve.

Edited February 18, 2017 by Dodge Driver

[Junkman]

  On 2/18/2017 at 12:48 PM, BigTallDad said:

It is my understanding that the Molotow pens don't do well on large flat surfaces; am I missing something?

Buy a refill bottle and airbrush it.

[smhardesty]

OK. I've missed something. I could be wrong, but I don't remember ever seeing anything about using a pen for chrome. What is a Molotov pen, and where can I find one, or more, at a really good price? This might be something I'm interested in. I'm just almost being overloaded with great ideas for every aspect of kit building. Soooo much has changed since I was a kid.

[Draggon]

  On 2/18/2017 at 4:53 PM, smhardesty said:

OK. I've missed something. I could be wrong, but I don't remember ever seeing anything about using a pen for chrome. What is a Molotov pen, and where can I find one, or more, at a really good price? This might be something I'm interested in. I'm just almost being overloaded with great ideas for every aspect of kit building. Soooo much has changed since I was a kid.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E7EG3NM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2JH3QEETV0MEO

[StevenGuthmiller]

I plan on getting a couple of the Molotow pens for certain applications where foil is difficult or impractical like dash parts, steering wheel horns, etc, but I will never stop using foil for body trim.

Does anybody really know how durable the finish will be with these pens yet?

I'm not too keen on the thought of possibly having paint wore off of trim pieces over time from simple handling.

been there, done that, years ago with silver painted trim.

Once the foil is applied, it's there to stay.

 

  On 2/18/2017 at 4:53 PM, smhardesty said:

OK. I've missed something. I could be wrong, but I don't remember ever seeing anything about using a pen for chrome. What is a Molotov pen, and where can I find one, or more, at a really good price? This might be something I'm interested in. I'm just almost being overloaded with great ideas for every aspect of kit building. Soooo much has changed since I was a kid.

These pens sound like a great alternative for certain things Steve, but just remember, as with any pen or brush work, either masking or a very steady hand will be required to get a perfectly straight line.

Personally, I would never attempt to do a body length side molding with a pen or brush without masking first, especially at my age.

Foil, like everything else, requires patience & practice, but once you get the hang of it, it's a pretty simple operation as well as a forgiving one.

It's easy to remove a piece that you don't like & replace it.

Does anybody know a sure fire way to correct mistakes with the Molotow pens?

That's not a smart remark, I really would be interested to know.

 

Steve

Edited February 18, 2017 by StevenGuthmiller

[gtx6970]

  On 2/18/2017 at 6:35 PM, StevenGuthmiller said:

I plan on getting a couple of the Molotow pens for certain applications where foil is difficult or impractical like dash parts, steering wheel horns, etc, but I will never stop using foil for body trim.

Does anybody really know how durable the finish will be with these pens yet?

I'm not too keen on the thought of possibly having paint wore off of trim pieces over time from simple handling.

been there, done that, years ago with silver painted trim.

Once the foil is applied, it's there to stay.

 

These pens sound like a great alternative for certain things Steve, but just remember, as with any pen or brush work, either masking or a very steady hand will be required to get a perfectly straight line.

Personally, I would never attempt to do a body length side molding with a pen or brush without masking first, especially at my age.

Foil, like everything else, requires patience & practice, but once you get the hang of it, it's a pretty simple operation as well as a forgiving one.

It's easy to remove a piece that you don't like & replace it.

Does anybody know a sure fire way to correct mistakes with the Molotow pens?

That's not a smart remark, I really would be interested to know.

 

Steve

Same here,

I ordered the pens mainly for dash bezels , steering wheel horn rings. 

And the occasional under hood touch on engine parts / chrome valve covers as an example.   Seriously doubt I'll ever use them on any body exterior trim

 

I would be real curious the longevity of these pens finish over time . How well they retain there brilliance

[XJ6]

  On 2/18/2017 at 9:59 AM, unclescott58 said:

I'm with you on this one Christian. I hate BMF. And I love the Molotow Liquid Chrome pens. Much easier for me to work to work with. There are one or two instances where may be needed for some things. But for most, the Molotow pens have made them history for me too. 

Scott

 

I would like more information on these Molotow Liquid Chrome pens information on one might find one?Thanks

[StevenGuthmiller]

  On 2/18/2017 at 7:00 PM, gtx6970 said:

I would be real curious the longevity of these pens finish over time . How well they retain there brilliance

That's one of my reasons why I'm reluctant to use them too extensively.

Being brand new to our hobby, nobody really has any idea how well this stuff will stand up over time.

I would really like my builds to hold up for a lifetime if possible.

I'll stick with my foil & let everyone else be my guinea pigs.

 

Steve

[smhardesty]

OK. First, to Glenn. Thanks kindly. Now I know what they are and that looks to be a very reasonable price for one. I appreciate the link!

Then, Steve. I had in mind like a couple of the guys mentioned, for dashboards, steering wheel spokes, horns, and other small parts where I might have trouble with the BMF. I have a slight loss of feeling in my fingers so real tiny, tedious work with BMF might be a problem for me. I just can't feel it. Holding a pen would be much easier for me. I don't have any problems with shaking or anything like that so the pen might be easier in those tedious places. I fully intend to use BMF everywhere I can, but I like the idea of having something like the pens as an alternative. I like having lots of tools and techniques available to me.

[StevenGuthmiller]

  On 2/18/2017 at 10:14 PM, smhardesty said:

OK. First, to Glenn. Thanks kindly. Now I know what they are and that looks to be a very reasonable price for one. I appreciate the link!

Then, Steve. I had in mind like a couple of the guys mentioned, for dashboards, steering wheel spokes, horns, and other small parts where I might have trouble with the BMF. I have a slight loss of feeling in my fingers so real tiny, tedious work with BMF might be a problem for me. I just can't feel it. Holding a pen would be much easier for me. I don't have any problems with shaking or anything like that so the pen might be easier in those tedious places. I fully intend to use BMF everywhere I can, but I like the idea of having something like the pens as an alternative. I like having lots of tools and techniques available to me.

I just ordered a pair of the pens myself.

The 1mm & 2mm just for the purpose you mention.

I've been foiling dash boards & horn rings for a long time & I absolutely hate it!

I've started using silver paint again on some of them & this should be a very nice alternative.

You're right Steve, if you're just starting out with foil, a dashboard or two would surely sour you on it's use!

I look forward to trying the pens for small details.

 

Steve

[ChrisBcritter]

From my brief experience, the Molotow chrome does not take to handling well - I'd use it only at the very end of the assembly if possible, and on smaller items. For longer trim - especially if I have to handle it - I'll use foil. Has anyone tested Alclad or SpazStix clear over the Molotow ink yet?

As far as mistakes, I've been able to clean them up with a thumbnail on glossy areas; on bare plastic a light scrape with a knife blade is fine (I just did the horn ring on a '41 Lincoln steering wheel and it looks great).

[StevenGuthmiller]

  On 2/18/2017 at 11:12 PM, ChrisBcritter said:

As far as mistakes, I've been able to clean them up with a thumbnail on glossy areas

That in itself scares me a little.

If it comes off of glossy areas that easily, I would absolutely not use it on a body.

Especially if it's an area that can get regular handling like drip rail moldings.

I'm hoping that it will be long lasting enough, as far as the finish, to use for interior parts & the like at least.

I will stay away from it for body trim.

 

Steve

[unclescott58]

  On 2/18/2017 at 7:53 PM, XJ6 said:

I would like more information on these Molotow Liquid Chrome pens information on one might find one?Thanks

I purchased one through eBay. The other two on Amazon. There are several discussions in this thread and others debating the merits and vices of these pens. Like anything there are pluses and minuses. But, my experience so far has been all positive. I love them. Will they replace BMF for everything? No. In my situation they'll be replacing BMF for most things. I find them easier to use. And the end result just as good. If not better. This is just my opinion. I recommend at least trying them, and seeing what you think. 

Scott

[unclescott58]

Working on my Lindberg 1952 Chevy fastback this morning. I thought about how two new products (at least for me) that I've learned about just in the last 12 months has made my model building so much easier. One is the Molotow Liquid Chrome as we've been talking about here. The other is the Bondic UV light activated glue. Both have worked out great for me. They both help make this Chevy project go together in a much more satisfactory way than it would have without them. The Bondic was used for gluing in the glass. The Molotow for all of the chrome. I'm sure I could have gotten decent results using other materials I've used in the past. But in this case, I found the new products to work that much better for me. I'm very happy with the results.

Scott

 

[smhardesty]

  On 2/19/2017 at 3:53 PM, unclescott58 said:

Working on my Lindberg 1952 Chevy fastback this morning. I thought about how two new products (at least for me) that I've learned about just in the last 12 months has made my model building so much easier. One is the Molotow Liquid Chrome as we've been talking about here. The other is the Bondic UV light activated glue. Both have worked out great for me. They both help make this Chevy project go together in a much more satisfactory way than it would have without them. The Bondic was used for gluing in the glass. The Molotow for all of the chrome. I'm sure I could have gotten decent results using other materials I've used in the past. But in this case, I found the new products to work that much better for me. I'm very happy with the results.

Scott

 

Bingo, Scott. I have purchased several different products and tools to provide me with different options of completing tasks. Since I'm really just now getting into the hobby, more or less the "right way", I figured I'd like to try different methods and techniques for many of the tasks involved in building a kit. I happen to have a really good email relationship with an experienced builder who is providing me with tips, tricks, and how-tos. Between his "guidance" and reading posts on this and other forums, I think I'm probably going to get off on the right foot. The one thing I can state after 30 plus years as a computer professional is that there is no, single, "right way" to perform every task. Sometimes a fella happens across a different way to do something that just works better for him. Never too old to learn.

[XJ6]

  On 2/19/2017 at 1:51 AM, unclescott58 said:

I purchased one through eBay. The other two on Amazon. There are several discussions in this thread and others debating the merits and vices of these pens. Like anything there are pluses and minuses. But, my experience so far has been all positive. I love them. Will they replace BMF for everything? No. In my situation they'll be replacing BMF for most things. I find them easier to use. And the end result just as good. If not better. This is just my opinion. I recommend at least trying them, and seeing what you think. 

Scott

Thank you for the information.... been following this thread, and I am going to give them a try me and BMF do not get along

[StevenGuthmiller]

  On 2/19/2017 at 5:52 PM, smhardesty said:

Bingo, Scott. I have purchased several different products and tools to provide me with different options of completing tasks. Since I'm really just now getting into the hobby, more or less the "right way", I figured I'd like to try different methods and techniques for many of the tasks involved in building a kit. I happen to have a really good email relationship with an experienced builder who is providing me with tips, tricks, and how-tos. Between his "guidance" and reading posts on this and other forums, I think I'm probably going to get off on the right foot. The one thing I can state after 30 plus years as a computer professional is that there is no, single, "right way" to perform every task. Sometimes a fella happens across a different way to do something that just works better for him. Never too old to learn.

Couldn't have said it better myself Steve.

In the modeling world the old phrase, "there's more than one way to skin a cat" is more true than nearly anywhere else.

The biggest problem you may have is weeding through the myriad of different techniques that achieve a single goal to find one that works best for you.

Just the "foil" question is a good example.

There is good old fashioned silver paint, BMF, Sharpies, Alclad, the kitchen foil technique, silver leaf, & now the Molotow pens.

I'm sure there are others that I have missed.

Seven different ways of doing a door handle!

 

Steve

Edited February 19, 2017 by StevenGuthmiller