Gold Foil

Gold foil, like Bare Metal Foil , gives some of the best results you can achieve for appearance.  This is what most people think of when they think of Vac Metal.  This stuff is very useful for static applications like model cars/airplanes.  Unfortunately, it's not so useful for custom action figures.

It comes in sheets roughly 6" x 11 3/4", with an adhesive backing, and is very thin.  You cut a piece, remove the backing, and then buff it onto whatever you want to look metallic.  The problem is that it's a solid sheet that's not too stretchy.  So if you go around repeated curves, like the musculature of Hal's torso here, you get little crinkles and wrinkles where the foil can't adapt perfectly to the subject.  You can get around this by cutting the foil in separate pieces for each section, like say a piece for the pectorals, a piece for the abdominals, etc etc., but that would get exhausting.  Another problem is that the foil is not very durable to wear-and-tear.  So if it were applied anywhere near a joint on a figure, it would easily be rubbed off.

If you're patient enough to cut this stuff to size, it's very useful for detailing small sections with limited curvature, like a visor or arm bands, for example.  I'd avoid it for broad, general application.

Pros                                Cons
· Looks like vac metal    · Slightly expensive for limited use
                                       · Cutting/application is difficult
                                       · Not very durable
                                       · Doesn't conform to complex curves

Synopsis:
Use only for detailing small sections that don't have much curve.  Also, try to keep it away from joints or other points of articulation.