Home Chroming

cool, thanks!

alright I have hit another bump in the road. I have gone through a couple of cycles of layering bondo and sanding. Right now I have the shape that I want and the surface is generally flat, but I can't seem to get the super-smooth surface that I want before I paint and I don't know what to do. Any thoughts? Right now I am sanding with a block and some medium grit sandpaper. I was thinking maybe a low grit sandpaper attachment on a dremel, is that a reasonable idea?

Cheers, Cam
 
rule of thumb is you just keep going to a finer grit sand paper, the finer the paper and the more time you spend sanding the smoother it will be,
 
If I'm bondoing (is that a word?) something, I usually sand it back with 150 grit for rough shaping, 320 grit to refine the shape before applying spot/glazing putty (or spray filler) to plug up any air bubble holes, cracks or deep scratches

After that, sand it with 400 grit and that should be fine for priming (the priming and subsequent sanding smoothes it out to a "flat" surface - that's how you get the glossy, mirror-type finish)
 
thanks for all the help guys, I've got til' next week Friday to have this done so it's a race to the finish. When it is done, I'll post pictures for all to see.

Cam
 
I'm not sure that time will permit, but the best way I've found to get a metal finish is to use aluminum foil, just like the scale modelers do.

This page has a link to a .pdf file that shows the whole process in detail (look for "How to finish your plane with aluminum foil"). After gluing the aluminum foil down, you should be able to use the powder process, I'd imagine, or just polish it up and then start in on the clear coats.
 
jmc said:
After gluing the aluminum foil down, you should be able to use the powder process, I'd imagine, or just polish it up and then start in on the clear coats.
Click to expand...

Yeah the powder would stick to the foil. I'd still be worried about the paper, resin, and bondo standing up to the temperatures required to cure the powder.
 
alrighty folks I'm nearly done. I've been sanding for days now and its starting to come together. I just need to perfect the area around the ears and get some tough spots with spot putty, then I can worry about painting / visor.

here are some updated pics.

n1605240080_30036956_2357.jpg


and another

n1605240080_30036957_3472.jpg
 
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