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Cox Engine of The Month
Re-Chroming
Page 1 of 1
Re-Chroming
Decided to clean up the QZ Trainer for display and noticed the “chrome” wearing away on the landing wheels.
Researching for the best chrome brush paint led to poor results. Testors and Model Masters chrome paint did not have the best rating with many users stating that the final dried product looked more like silver to gray and not chrome.
Watched some You Tube videos with spray-able chrome; however the durability was poor at best unless sprayed with a clear top coat. The final clear top coat then left a final dull silver or gray appearance which led back to square one.
Was about to settle for a silver Testors paint, when it occurred to me: “How about Bare Metal Foil?”
Well, I stripped off the old chrome on the wheels:
Then proceeded to apply the Bare Metal Foil utilizing a Jeweler’s Loop.
Bare Metal Foil can then be buffed for a very good appearance of chrome and becomes quite durable with handling. Unfortunately, my camera skills do not do it justice. Trust me though. It is potentially the best chrome appearance at the most cost efficient price for chrome repair on this project.
Researching for the best chrome brush paint led to poor results. Testors and Model Masters chrome paint did not have the best rating with many users stating that the final dried product looked more like silver to gray and not chrome.
Watched some You Tube videos with spray-able chrome; however the durability was poor at best unless sprayed with a clear top coat. The final clear top coat then left a final dull silver or gray appearance which led back to square one.
Was about to settle for a silver Testors paint, when it occurred to me: “How about Bare Metal Foil?”
Well, I stripped off the old chrome on the wheels:
Then proceeded to apply the Bare Metal Foil utilizing a Jeweler’s Loop.
Bare Metal Foil can then be buffed for a very good appearance of chrome and becomes quite durable with handling. Unfortunately, my camera skills do not do it justice. Trust me though. It is potentially the best chrome appearance at the most cost efficient price for chrome repair on this project.
DrCox- Gold Member
- Posts : 229
Join date : 2018-07-18
Location : Wisconsin
Re: Re-Chroming
Wheels look really good. Like that QZ!
Cribbs74- Moderator
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Posts : 11907
Join date : 2011-10-24
Age : 50
Location : Tuttle, OK
Re: Re-Chroming
Nice touch with the wheels , you7 make it sound easy Ready for display.
getback- Top Poster
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Posts : 10472
Join date : 2013-01-18
Age : 67
Location : julian , NC
Re: Re-Chroming
Good one Doc.
I never heard of "Bare metal foil" so I googled it and looked it up on ebay. Lot's of vendors selling it, gold also.
Nice job. Did you remove the wheels from the axles to apply? Just cleaning up those plastic wheels made a big difference too.
Bob
I never heard of "Bare metal foil" so I googled it and looked it up on ebay. Lot's of vendors selling it, gold also.
Nice job. Did you remove the wheels from the axles to apply? Just cleaning up those plastic wheels made a big difference too.
Bob
rsv1cox- Top Poster
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Posts : 11308
Join date : 2014-08-18
Location : West Virginia
Re: Re-Chroming
A 20 foot roll of 3 inch wide metalized HVAC ducting tape is $3+/- and has a sticky backing (tape duh) if smooth and wrinkle free can be polished to a high chrome shine with mothers or similar
TopFlite trim sheets are 4" x 36" come in many colors including Chrome...sticky backed also and can be SET with TopFlite MonoKote Trim Solvent
I have seen a few scale airplanes made to look all metal and polished with tedious covering using Reynolds aluminum foil
BTW good look Doc
TopFlite trim sheets are 4" x 36" come in many colors including Chrome...sticky backed also and can be SET with TopFlite MonoKote Trim Solvent
I have seen a few scale airplanes made to look all metal and polished with tedious covering using Reynolds aluminum foil
BTW good look Doc
fredvon4- Top Poster
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Posts : 4013
Join date : 2011-08-26
Age : 69
Location : Lampasas Texas
Re: Re-Chroming
rsv1cox wrote:Good one Doc.
Did you remove the wheels from the axles to apply? Bob
Bob, wheels stayed attached. Very easy to apply with wheels stilled attached to the landing gear.
fredvon4 wrote:A 20 foot roll of 3 inch wide metalized HVAC ducting tape is $3+/- and has a sticky backing (tape duh) if smooth and wrinkle free can be polished to a high chrome shine with mothers or similar
TopFlite trim sheets are 4" x 36" come in many colors including Chrome...sticky backed also and can be SET with TopFlite MonoKote Trim Solvent
I have seen a few scale airplanes made to look all metal and polished with tedious covering using Reynolds aluminum foil.
Some GREAT ideas Fred. Thanks.
The Bare Metal Foil is extremely forgiving when applied to compound curves such as the Cox Buick and Corvette window trim. Most mild wrinkles can be burnished out and then buffed to a high shine but never as reflective as chrome. It stretched and applied very well to the outside of the Cox wheel rim as can be seen in the images.
DrCox- Gold Member
- Posts : 229
Join date : 2018-07-18
Location : Wisconsin
Re: Re-Chroming
Yes, I have seen posts on build threads where the builder has used Aluminum foil for covering the wings and fuse. Very tedious work, but looks so realistic! I had two or three rolls of HVAC duct tape that was designed for sealing fiberglass duct. One has a heat activated adhesive that was Ironed on to the duct sections. One roll was just plain silver, and I used little strips of it to re-do the end/beginning of the tape on my 8 track tapes. Always on the lookout for craft items that can be used in “Aircrafting”. I just found some Duck brand tape called Mirror that looks like a good candidate for chrome applied to balsa or wheels.
Marleysky- Top Poster
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Posts : 3618
Join date : 2014-09-28
Age : 72
Location : Grand Rapids, MI
Re: Re-Chroming
crankbndr- Top Poster
- Posts : 3112
Join date : 2011-12-10
Location : Homestead FL
Re: Re-Chroming
Yes I use it all the time. It's the next best thing to chrome plating. I think you will be very impressed with this product. As far as durability, that's subjective. In other words I don't know. Mark
Mark Diedrichs- Gold Member
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Join date : 2017-11-11
Age : 72
Location : fairfield ohio
jarboy- Moderate Poster
- Posts : 16
Join date : 2017-01-05
Location : Minnesota
Re: Re-Chroming
Thanks Jarboy......I enjoyed that video
fredvon4- Top Poster
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Posts : 4013
Join date : 2011-08-26
Age : 69
Location : Lampasas Texas
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