Flite Metal---pics added of F100 undergoing application.
07-05-2002, 03:44 PM
#1
Flite Metal---pics added of F100 undergoing application.
Anyone out there used Flite Metal before? I have been putting it on my F100 and would like hear your experiences and maybe share some hints or tips.
I really like this stuff and its very easy to lay if the panel is small. But very time consuming. I have heard that Joe Grice did some staining to his and I wondered how he got that effect aroung panel lines and how he made some of the panels darker. How much burnishing? Do you think this will end up weighing more than paint?
Thanks
Scott Marr
I really like this stuff and its very easy to lay if the panel is small. But very time consuming. I have heard that Joe Grice did some staining to his and I wondered how he got that effect aroung panel lines and how he made some of the panels darker. How much burnishing? Do you think this will end up weighing more than paint?
Thanks
Scott Marr
07-05-2002, 05:28 PM
#2
Senior Member
My Feedback: (32)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Pasadena, MD
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flite Metal---pics added of F100 undergoing application.
Scott:
I finished a TF P-47 with Flite Metal. I am currently using it on a Yellow Aircraft P-47. The TF P-47 is on the Flite Metal examples page. Unfortunately, the pictures are not the best. One of the most important things I learned about applying it in large panels is that it is easier to float it onto the surface, like you would a decal, using windex. It takes a little longer to do it this way because you have to squeegee the fluid out from under it and allow it to dry so that it sticks before you apply the masking tape for the next panel. The results are outstanding. It can be repositioned, it seems to stretch around corners better, and you can work out any small wrinkles that you might get. The weathering technique I used was to spray a wash over the model and then wet sand it with 600 grit. This is very effective to simulate a well used finish on a WWII aircraft, but I am not sure it would work on a jet.
I finished a TF P-47 with Flite Metal. I am currently using it on a Yellow Aircraft P-47. The TF P-47 is on the Flite Metal examples page. Unfortunately, the pictures are not the best. One of the most important things I learned about applying it in large panels is that it is easier to float it onto the surface, like you would a decal, using windex. It takes a little longer to do it this way because you have to squeegee the fluid out from under it and allow it to dry so that it sticks before you apply the masking tape for the next panel. The results are outstanding. It can be repositioned, it seems to stretch around corners better, and you can work out any small wrinkles that you might get. The weathering technique I used was to spray a wash over the model and then wet sand it with 600 grit. This is very effective to simulate a well used finish on a WWII aircraft, but I am not sure it would work on a jet.
07-05-2002, 05:31 PM
#3
Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: sherman oaks, CA,
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flite Metal---pics added of F100 undergoing application.
Scott, Here is another source you might be interested in: www.bare-metal.com. I only recently purchased some Flite Metal and it seems to be exactly the same thing as the aluminum tape I get at Home Depot.
07-05-2002, 05:37 PM
#4
Senior Member
My Feedback: (32)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Pasadena, MD
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flite Metal---pics added of F100 undergoing application.
Chuck:
What size is the aluminum tape from Home Depot? I looked at Lowes but they only sold it in 2 inch widths. For most models that is too small. Six and twelve inch widths are what I have used. If Home Depot sells it in those widths, I will have to give them a try.
What size is the aluminum tape from Home Depot? I looked at Lowes but they only sold it in 2 inch widths. For most models that is too small. Six and twelve inch widths are what I have used. If Home Depot sells it in those widths, I will have to give them a try.
07-05-2002, 05:57 PM
#5
Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: sherman oaks, CA,
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flite Metal---pics added of F100 undergoing application.
Kirk
Your are right about that 2". They have a wider roll but it has a logo printed on the entire roll. 2" is ok for my purpose but if I need a large size I'd look up a local heating and air conditioning supply source since this is what it's used for. My guess is they would have a larger selection of sizes.
Your are right about that 2". They have a wider roll but it has a logo printed on the entire roll. 2" is ok for my purpose but if I need a large size I'd look up a local heating and air conditioning supply source since this is what it's used for. My guess is they would have a larger selection of sizes.
07-05-2002, 07:15 PM
#6
Senior Member
My Feedback: (45)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Hebron,
KY
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flite Metal---pics added of F100 undergoing application.
Chuck,
The Home Depot tape vs. the Flite Metal.... Are they about the same thickness and weight? I have a roll of the Home Depot stuff. please help me with a comparisson. Do I need to spend the extra bucks and effort for the real FlightMetal????
The Home Depot tape vs. the Flite Metal.... Are they about the same thickness and weight? I have a roll of the Home Depot stuff. please help me with a comparisson. Do I need to spend the extra bucks and effort for the real FlightMetal????
07-05-2002, 07:31 PM
#7
Banned
My Feedback: (119)
Flite Metal---pics added of F100 undergoing application.
I worked with the home depot tape, and the kind I got seemed considerably heavier than the flite metal tape. I say SEEMED so, as I did not weigh the two. I don't know what brand I got from Home Depot, what is left of the roll is unmarked.
On the other hand, flite metal tape is made by specialty tapes co., they have a website, and I am pretty sure it will be a whole lot cheaper there.
On the other hand, flite metal tape is made by specialty tapes co., they have a website, and I am pretty sure it will be a whole lot cheaper there.
07-05-2002, 09:19 PM
#9
Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: sherman oaks, CA,
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flite Metal---pics added of F100 undergoing application.
The Home Depot tape and the Flite Metal foil both mic at 0.1mm on my micrometer. The rivet maker has a small wheel which makes impressions at about 3/32" apart. Too far apart for my needs. I'm detailing a L1011 from PCM Models. The small burnishing tools are available at art supply stores. They are called stumps. These cardboard style burnishers are what illustrators use to blend pastels. Pastels are also what many modelers use to weather models. You sort of blow the pastel dust onto the model by brushing the chalk with a stiff brush. Then use a spray fixative. But I guess that's not the topic here.
07-05-2002, 10:33 PM
#10
Banned
My Feedback: (119)
Flite Metal---pics added of F100 undergoing application.
I found a toothed wheel in a fabric store, don't remember what they use it for or what the spacing was, but it did not look bad on a .60 sized sport scale project.
I thought about just making a wheel with the right spacing.
A great craftsman once told me that 90% of a job is setting up the right tooling, and 10% actually doing the job.
I thought about just making a wheel with the right spacing.
A great craftsman once told me that 90% of a job is setting up the right tooling, and 10% actually doing the job.
07-06-2002, 03:31 PM
#11
Senior Member
My Feedback: (32)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Pasadena, MD
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rivets
I found the rivet making tool that came with the Flite Metal to be unusable. It only made indentions on the surface that did not look like rivets. Instead, I used an appropriate sized brass tube and the Top Flite warbird template. The TF template has the proper rivet spacing for 1/7 to 1/3 scale. I laid the template along the panel line and pressed the brass tube in the holes. See the picture for the outcome.
07-09-2002, 02:08 PM
#13
Senior Member
My Feedback: (32)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Pasadena, MD
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rivets
Scott:
Yes, but it is not as hard or time consuming as you may think. Get the Top Flite warbird template. It is about eight inches long and has rivet spacing for 1/7 to 1/3 scale. Lay the template down along the panel line and use a brass tube to indent the covering and you have a rivet. It only takes a few minutes to do a line of rivets. It is faster than burning them into paint. Applying the covering can be pretty time consuming but the results are well worth the extra time especially when your fellow modelers tell you that the outcome looks so realistic. When are you going to post some pictures?
Did you have to hand do each rivet.
07-09-2002, 02:14 PM
#14
rivets
kirk,
Where can I get that template?
I wanted to get the rest of the front section done then post some pics. I just finished the cockpit this weekend and onlly have a few more panels to finish front section. I'll take camera home tonight and get some pics.
I'll try that template.
Scott
Where can I get that template?
I wanted to get the rest of the front section done then post some pics. I just finished the cockpit this weekend and onlly have a few more panels to finish front section. I'll take camera home tonight and get some pics.
I'll try that template.
Scott
07-09-2002, 02:32 PM
#16
Senior Member
My Feedback: (32)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Pasadena, MD
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flite Metal---pics added of F100 undergoing application.
Scott:
Your LHS should have it or be able to order it for you. If not, then you should be able to get it from Tower Hobbies. Personally, I perfer to deal with my LHS than Tower. That way I can help to keep my LHS in business.
Your LHS should have it or be able to order it for you. If not, then you should be able to get it from Tower Hobbies. Personally, I perfer to deal with my LHS than Tower. That way I can help to keep my LHS in business.