When to apply Bare Metal Foil?

I'm presently working on a '53 Chevy that I want to use BMF to chrome. Typically I use the micro mesh system, finished off by plastic polish, Meguiar's Scratch X, then Mequiars Gold Class wax. Since this is the first time that I am using BMF, I'm wondering at what stage it should be applied. My guess is that it should go on after the Scratch X and before the wax to ensure that it adheres well. Is that correct?

Sounds good.

There really aren't hard and fast rules about such things, so you have to decide for yourself what is best for your build. Your logic is sensible, if I weren't clearcoating over the BMF that's when I would put it on also.

Personally I like to spray clearcoat over BMF (at least thin trim strips) when I can. It protects the foil a bit, and I honestly can see no difference in appearance between coated/uncoated. But it's really a matter of preference, and I adjust my clearcoat/polish/waxing routine accordingly. There are many ways of going about it, you just need to reason out what will work best for you when. You shouldn't have trouble with the order you described.

MPWR, thanks for the help. I didn't realize that you could clear coat BMF.

Happy to help.

Yes, it can definitely be done. It doesn't necessarily need it, but it can be useful to have it protected.

The 356 I'm building has chrome bumper trim, with a black strip on it.

http://i.pbase.com/u37/mpix/upload/23875563.002.jpg

So the way I will go about it is to paint the body, and apply the BMF. Then everything will get clearcoated and polished. Last, the black strips will get masked and sprayed black. Having the BMF strips under the clearcoat will protect them enough that I can mask and paint over top of them. There are probably other ways of going about it, but I'm pretty confident this will work for me.