Hello, Does anyone make thier own Loco Foam. If so what adhesive or glue do you use to stick the foil to the foam. Thanks, Jim
J,
It depends on what kind of film I’m applying.
If I’m using the plastic mylar ‘pearl’ stuff, I’ll use the sticky back foam and just stick the plastic to that. It holds well.
If I’m using the metallic stuff they use for scrapbooking, it comes with an adhesive back, but isn’t strong enough opf a glue to ‘hold’ to the foam by itself. This stuff is thoicker, and has some ‘strength’ to it, so that it will resist folding and try to lift. Again, I’ll use the sticky back foam, and apply it sticky side to sticky side, which holds REALLY well.
If I want to apply the thin metallic sheets, like metallized tissue or ‘foils’, I’ll use contact cement on both surfaces. This is the strongest of all the bonds, and won’t fail.
I’ve not had much luck with sprays or such for this application.
Good Luck!
Buddy
I have used 3M 77 spray adhesive with good results. Depending on the patterns you’re tying, you can find many different types of ribbons that have a mylar finish that stick well to foam with this process. That being said, they are really not quite the same quality as Loco Foam, but then I’m not sure that the fish care too much.
Jim Smith
James,Buddy, To clarify. I am talking about Rub on Foils which is the metallic material on Loco Foam. It is also called Transfer Foil. It is a clear thin sheet with the metallic foil underneath. You place the dull side down (and shiny metallic side up) onto the foam. Rub the foil, pressing it to the foam. Then peel away the clear film and you are left with the thin foil on the foam. The problem is finding a tacky adhesive that dries clear and dries completely. The easiest way to do this is to apply it to the sticky back craft foams. This is very easily done but the problem being the adhesive on this foam does not dry and always remains tacky. When you go to tie a fly the foam becomes gooey after a bit of handling. I will keep trying. Later, Jim
I use fabric paint on foam. Many colors, easily applied and it’s waterproof. Can be applied before or after cutting.
Chuck
J
I use something I pick up in the craft store, foiling glue, it’s a white glue that dries translucent. It works fairly well. I use it to make sheet foam, or add it to a fly after I’ve made it.
If I’m in a hurry I’ll use the sticky back foam, I’ve never had problems with that feeling tacky unless I missed a spot with the foil. I’ll have the same thing happen with the foiling glue, and will actually have to do a second coat of glue,and a second layer of foil on some pieces of foam or a fly.
Philly, I did several different colors of sticky back foam and foil a month or so ago. It was easy and came out perfectly. No areas were missed. The first flies I tried tying with this foam were Harrison Steeves Disc’O Beetles. I punched out the discs with no problems but when I folded the disc and pinched it over the hook shank some of the foil rubbed off and exposed some of the foams adhesive. Seems to me on a hot summer day this coud get a bit messy. Today I coated the back of a small piece of foil with Softex. I will let it dry completely and in the morning I will give it a shot. I am hoping the Softex will act as a barrier between the two.Thanks for the replies.
Jim