Thread: Chrome foils for models

I haven't used foils on wood before but I have done calligraphic illuminated lettering and raised lettering in gold leaf. The leaves are absurdly thin and you need the substrate to be as smooth as a very smooth thing; visible wood grain will telegraph through the leaf unless you fill the grain with gesso or apply a thick enough layer of size that achieves the same aim. Once applied you then have to burnish the metal surface with a highly polished burnisher; mine is made from agate.

Basically it's a real PITA process that I'm not sure will really lend itself to model making unless someone else can offer 1st hand experience? As an alternative however that is easily within your skill set there are some pretty snazzy "liquid chrome" paints on the market now that may be suitable.

ALSA EASY CHROME

G'Day Aj,
Sorry I can't help you as al the toys I've done and scale models I've seen just use the natural timber [normally in a contrasting timber].
Love to see you Work In Progress photos please sir.
Cheers crowie

Something like THIS is ideal and as Cheif Tiff said the surface needs to be smooth otherwise you will see the grain through it. There are other metals but you will have to do a search on the web.

I have used a chemically treated brass sheet on wood as seen below.

DSCF1510 (754x1024).jpg

Hi AJ,

Agree with Chief Tiff about the Gold Leaf. Tried it on one of my earlier locomotives and very, very frustrating. There are some very good Gold Spray paints that give a really nice result.

Here are some of the paints I use.

100.jpg

The auto primer is a great undercoat for either the Gold or copper

Hope this helps

Regards

Keith

Thank you for your advice,
I did some more Googling and decided to give the foil a try, It is thicker than gold leaf and is made for modelers so I ordered some and When I get it I will do a trial and let you know if it works.
Like you Crowie All the toys I made were natural timber,using the timbers colour as contrast and a finished with food grade mineral from our forum's founder
I will post some pics after I trial the foil.
AJ

The foil I ordered arrived yesterday arvo so today I did a tried it out, First I tried it on Huon pine and Blackwood off cuts not sanded, straight of the Thicknesser, Then on a piece of Huon sanded with 280 grit.
Adhered well to all the samples ( Huon was a bit of a surprise as it does not like some adhesives or finishes )
The grain showed through on the first two test pieces as I expected, The sanded piece went well except for the minute sanding dust I didn't brush off.
As I want to use it on truck stacks and the bumpers and trim on an FJ Holden I am drawing the plans for recon it will work well.
AJ