Flite Metaling a BVM Super Bandit
03-23-2014, 02:25 PM
#1
Flite Metaling a BVM Super Bandit
Hi all, wanted a different Bandit scheme so I decided to do FM on mine. I am between a Coors Light and Patriotic theme. I may do a bit of both. So far I am loving the process of FM, it is tedious but well worth the effort. Just thought I would document as I go along.
03-24-2014, 05:39 AM
#10
Sysiek, Flitemetal.com to purchase.
One thing i have noticed is that compound curves, even slight curves are a whole nother animal. The panel leading up to the inlet on top was almost impossible to get right, i did it twice. Now, i am new to the FM process, so as with anything- practice makes purpose. Another thing i learned is that no matter how well you laid the panel down, sometimes you will get small ripples. I dont know if this is caused by the material itself or what, however when you sand the panel down those small imperfections get sanded away.
One thing i have noticed is that compound curves, even slight curves are a whole nother animal. The panel leading up to the inlet on top was almost impossible to get right, i did it twice. Now, i am new to the FM process, so as with anything- practice makes purpose. Another thing i learned is that no matter how well you laid the panel down, sometimes you will get small ripples. I dont know if this is caused by the material itself or what, however when you sand the panel down those small imperfections get sanded away.
Last edited by NickC5FE; 03-24-2014 at 05:43 AM.
03-24-2014, 04:54 PM
#12
That is going to look very cool. There were some pics of a UB finished in Flight Metal here a while back. It looked amazing.
And good to see you are once again a Bandit owner.
And good to see you are once again a Bandit owner.
03-24-2014, 07:01 PM
#14
Actually I remember following your SB build thread. I was a little surprised when you sold it!!!.. (Super Bandits don't just grow on trees you know.) And your Corona Bandit was the goods.. The paint was awesome, even just viewing it on a flat screen..
Looking forward to seeing how this one evolves..
Roger
Looking forward to seeing how this one evolves..
Roger
04-06-2014, 09:29 AM
#20
Looking good Nick!
Back when I was doing a top flight giant scale P-51 I used a combo of flight metal and ultra coat chrome.
My original plan was to use flight metal on all the fiberglass parts and ultracoat chrome scuffed up on the rest.... well in my messing around and having a hard time getting flight metal around complex curves I found the ultracoat was much easier for me to get around these curves on low heat right over the fiberglass.
Once it's scuffed up it gives a very convincing metal look at a much lower weight and cost.
My next build is a BVM F-86 and I'm going to mess with the idea a bit more.... I may just end up with flight metal but it's something to mess with for sure
here are a few pics on the chrome ultracoat on fiberglass and you can see the metal look it gives once scuffed up (more of a polished metal)
Back when I was doing a top flight giant scale P-51 I used a combo of flight metal and ultra coat chrome.
My original plan was to use flight metal on all the fiberglass parts and ultracoat chrome scuffed up on the rest.... well in my messing around and having a hard time getting flight metal around complex curves I found the ultracoat was much easier for me to get around these curves on low heat right over the fiberglass.
Once it's scuffed up it gives a very convincing metal look at a much lower weight and cost.
My next build is a BVM F-86 and I'm going to mess with the idea a bit more.... I may just end up with flight metal but it's something to mess with for sure
here are a few pics on the chrome ultracoat on fiberglass and you can see the metal look it gives once scuffed up (more of a polished metal)
04-07-2014, 08:01 PM
#25
Wow that is looking really nice Nick!
Thanks Raf,
I don't think that would work well... on the mustang what I did was lay the ultracoat then tape off each panel and scuff it with a different grit steal wool or fine sandpaper... also working some in different directions. I think for a better look you would need to lay each panel piece by piece starting from the rear working forward with a 1/8 overlap. I need to find pictures from a guy that did it this way and gave me ideas for my mustang his looked VERY good. Nick hope you don't mind us talking about this in your thread.
I will most likely do flight metal on my BVM F-86 but will make up a test panel and see if I can perfect that ultra coat method... if it works it will save weight and heat will help around the tight curves on the F-86
Ron, this ultracoat, do you think it is possible to lay on fiberglass and then cut out the panel lines? Does it leave a residue on the fiberglass that gets the overrun ultracoat pieces?
Great looking mustang btw!
Great looking mustang btw!
I don't think that would work well... on the mustang what I did was lay the ultracoat then tape off each panel and scuff it with a different grit steal wool or fine sandpaper... also working some in different directions. I think for a better look you would need to lay each panel piece by piece starting from the rear working forward with a 1/8 overlap. I need to find pictures from a guy that did it this way and gave me ideas for my mustang his looked VERY good. Nick hope you don't mind us talking about this in your thread.
I will most likely do flight metal on my BVM F-86 but will make up a test panel and see if I can perfect that ultra coat method... if it works it will save weight and heat will help around the tight curves on the F-86
