Painting the "Silver Lining" on a Porsche 356A

[godfather23]

I have a question on what will be the best way to paint the "Silver Lining" on a Porsche 356A? To explain what I mean the following picture:



Alternative 1:
I heard about the self-adhesive chrome foil (forgot the name). If I would use it, how do I work with it? Do I need to apply the foil and then spray the color (most likely Tamiya Lacquer) over it and remove the paint from the foil in the spots I like the lining to be silver/chrome afterwards? Does this work with Tamiya spray can colors (Acrylic lacquer)? Or does this technique only work with basic acrylic colors?

Alternative 2:
Mask it and spray the two colors separately?

Alternative 3:
Remove the silver lining.

Alternative 4:
If you have suggestions, please??

Thanks for your help in advance!


Robert

[voyageur]

Hi Robert,

the self adhesive foil is called BareMetal Foil. You paint the car as always, let it dry completely and then apply the BMF where you want it. In your case, cut a stripe about 6mm wide and apply. To get it smooth, use a Q-tip. Then trim the BMF with a scalpel or sharp (!!!) hobby knife (not much force is needed, don't cut into the paint). The result should be a perfect chrome trime that looks like a seperate piece.

I think there's a how-to somewhere here on AF, too.

Cheers
Sebastian

[bvia]

You could also paint the body gloss black, then Alcad II chrome the strips (no need to mask) and then countermask the chrome and paint the body color. Remove the mask and viola'!

hth,
Bill

[MPWR]

I would say BMF is the only option to consider for this kind of trim. The appearence is far superior to anything that could be done with masking, and it's much easier too. You can even correct mistakes. With masking you get one shot. A screw up would be highly visible painting over Alclad, and stripping and starting over would be your only option. With BMF you can put it on, and if you're not happy you peel it up and do it again. And again and again, until you're happy.

Don't use generic stuff, though- I've tried a couple different brands, and found that BMF is notably superior.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Bare Metal Foil original chrome is the only reasonably sane way to do it. Yeah, there are other alternatives like other foils or paints but honestly they don't make much sense if you can get ahold of original BMF chrome (do NOT get "ultra bright", it's crap-too thick, won't polish, not smooth, poor adhesion). It polishes beautifully (can't do that w/Alclad, it will rub right off) and it's easy to use once you get used to it.

I cut thin strips w/a straight edge and a fresh XActo blade, many times I can cut a strip that's exactly the right size or very close. Apply carefully (it can curl up a bit as you are cutting it but it's easy to maneuver w/your fingers), burnish w/a Q tip, and trim any excess carefully. It's like a self-adhesive decal that you place, press, trim, then polish. I wouldn't consider any other foil or paint for this type of trim. You can clearcoat over it if you want, but the polishes that work on paint work magic on BMF so I never have clearcoated it. You can use the BMF on the 356A windshield surround as well.

As for your idea #1; it works best for chrome emblems/letter to paint over them. If you prime over the foil emblems, carefully polish off the primer before painting so you don't end up w/a primer "ghost" around the chrome emblem when you finally polish. For chrome body/window trim it's better to apply it over the paint vs. under.

[rsxse240]

the concensus is overwhelming, go with bare metal foil. by far the best.

[924_CarreraGTS]

Originally Posted by ZoomZoomMX-5

Bare Metal Foil original chrome is the only reasonably sane way to do it. Yeah, there are other alternatives like other foils or paints but honestly they don't make much sense if you can get ahold of original BMF chrome (do NOT get "ultra bright", it's crap-too thick, won't polish, not smooth, poor adhesion).

Oh great, I've been using "ultra-bright" all along, and wondering why it wasn't as good as I'd hoped. I have two unopened packages of it, too. How can I justify getting rid of it? I guess I could cover an entire airplane model with it or something. Now I'll have to spend more money--

[Jay!]

Originally Posted by 924_CarreraGTS

Oh great, I've been using "ultra-bright" all along, and wondering why it wasn't as good as I'd hoped. I have two unopened packages of it, too. How can I justify getting rid of it? I guess I could cover an entire airplane model with it or something. Now I'll have to spend more money--

Take it to your local hobby store and say "oops - i got the wrong one."

[Ferrari TR]

I used the ultra bright on my Speedster with no issues.
Completed Speedster

[Vric]

Bare metal foil is made for that.

[godfather23]

Thanks a lot, guys. I knew I can count on you!