Post by jwrass on Mar 9, 2017 18:07:35 GMT -5
..................... Laying The Leaf......................
ATTENTION:
This is where I lost so many on the MCM forum……. This process is NOT that difficult or time consuming and it doesn’t cost a small fortune to do this process. It is like any other process or skill that we learn and practice honing our skills with this hobby. It really doesn’t matter to me if you attempt this process or not as I personally do not benefit from any of the material I put forth. I am merely offering this as an alternative to another process. It works for me and I’ll never go back!
It is my hope that by taking the time to put forth this information that at least a few may benefit from this process.
In the last installment I stated that before you lay down the size for your shinny bits you have to paint a patch of size off to the side
This step is very CRTICAL as this will make or break how the leaf lays down! I also stated that you need to record the time at which you laid that patch of size down. This patch and time will be the measure of when you lay the leaf down!
Much like BMF, leafing is a skill that will have to be practiced to achieve success. it's not magic! However, IMO the results give you more options and flexibility as compared to BMF as you will see as we progress.
In my initial post I failed to mention the Body I selected for this tutorial. It is a 1959 El Camino. The reason I chose this body is if you look at the trim it has concave, convex and compound curves, Also the windscreen post has a very complex curvature.
Let's get back to laying some leaf. The size has been applied to the areas you want to leaf and a swatch of size has been brushed out and the time recorded. Recording the time and the swatch of size is so very important...........This truly affects how the leaf lays on the surface.
For modeling I would recommend a fast size........This size starts to tack up in about 30-45 minutes.
...........................................The Knuckle Test..................................
To apply the leaf, the size has to be just right...On the swatch area lightly touch the size with one of your Knuckles (I use my index finger) when you touch it the size it should have a slight tack and not leave an impression (a delicate touch here) drag your knuckle across the swatch and it should have a slight tack and have a low squeak sound...............The size is now ready for the leaf.
To apply the leaf, you will need one of these..... A Gilders Tip or a clean nylon paint brush. These will transfer the leaf to the areas that are sized
To get the leaf to stick to the Gilders Tip or paint brush the tip needs to be charged with static Electricity to perform it’s magic. To perform this procedure, you simply rub the ends of the Gilders tip or paint brush though your hair in a rapid back and forth motion to create the charge like this...
As you can see by the picture I am not using a Gilders tip.... It's a cheapo nylon brush..... it will work in a pinch however the Gilders Tip is much more effective.
(I'm running out of areas to create a charge) Now that the Gliding tip is charged it’s time to pick up some leaf and lay it down.
In a swooping motion touch the edge of one of the strips that have been previously cut and pick up the leaf.... it should hang from the end of the tip as in the photo
Note: This is a very delicate procedure.... slow and deliberate movements and a calm environment are a must.
Approach the sized areas and simply lay the leaf into the size.... the leaf will actually somewhat be sucked into the size.
Continue to lay the leaf on the sized areas...After the leaves are applied gently push the leaf into the sized area's with a cotton ball and tools as shown below.
Pushing the leaf into the size.... A very light touch is critical in this step as not to damage the leaf.... Just gently push the leaf into the areas that were sized, the leaf will lay down and adhere just fine.
Looking good....... the leaf is down and follows the contours very nice and tight.
Next Up, Burnishing The Leaf........
Peace Jimmy "RASS"
