Starship Modeler Discussion Forums

You don't need a ton of it. Think of it like a layer of paint, but one that will melt once you get to the final step. Everything should be dry before you begin, otherwise you'll just smudge it when you wet the top layer of paint.

-Rog

So you guys are saying it should be called So-So Plastic Putty...

-Rog

I would also add that resin almost always seems to be rougher on the sculpt, so if you want a flawless model it can take more work. But that can also be the fun part. I have seen a few near-perfect resin models. And of course there are plenty of bad styrene kits. Not much else that hasn't been said ...

This thread might be of interest to what you're trying to do:

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=264733

Particularly the electro-etching ideas, which is more controlled than dropping it into acid and praying.

-Rog

I'm still a fan of the cheapest spray primer at Walmart, even though it's no longer $1. It's quite thin (which would normally be a bad thing, but it's perfect for models).

-Rog

Tamiya tape is good, but overpriced for what it is. The green 3M tape can be found at any auto parts store by the spray paint and Bondo. For the price of a tiny roll of Tamiya you can buy the 3M stuff and cut it to any size you want and you'll probably never run out.

-Rog

#1 is going to be to use really skinny tape. I don't know what kind you use, but if it's too wide then you can just trim a piece with a ruler and knife. I always use 3M green automotive tape, and that stuff stretches around bends really well, especially if you trim it thin. Cheapie white masking tap...

Word is that acrylic reducer will work. Get ready to mix and mix though to get it from the jelly it starts out as to something you can brush or airbrush with. And I would definitely strain it if you're going to airbrush.

-Rog

NCC1966 wrote:If it helps, I bought mine at eBay fro $8 and plus $5 shipping for my country (Brasil).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191890204875?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

For anyone in the U.S., there are cheaper ones on eBay, and not from China.

-Rog

Taking the Walmart example specifically, I don't see anywhere that says it's carried in stores, only that you can order it and it's sold by whatever "marketplace seller" it is. On another forum people were getting excited that you could pre-order the new Hasbro Iron Man helmet from Amazon,...

Looked on the internet this weekend and it's listed as being sold at Sears and Walmart both for 12.44 a tube. Not in stores though, it's through third parties on their sites, like how on Amazon you have to be careful and check that you're actually ordering FROM Amazon now. Guess everybody's doing t...

NCC1966 wrote:I ordered a squirt bottle of "Perfect Plastic Putty". Let's see.

Heard good things about that. I keep meaning to try it, I just have lots of other things I use already so I don't think of it.

-Rog

I predict that the main answers are going to be automotive spot putty (no mixing) and Aves (2 parts). Both of which are good, just for different things. Aves won't crack so it's good for larger stuff. I would never use it for a pinhole or something else tiny so spot putty is good for that. Also, sup...

This may or may not be what you're looking for, but lately I've really been liking Ace (the hardware store) Aluminum (the color) enamel. It's in a spray can under their "Rust Stop" line. The shine is unbelievable. I would say it's just a step behind something like a Spaz Stix chrome. It de...

LOL, I don't even remember what project this was for... I moved since then and I'm sure it's still in a box somewhere.

But no, I needed something that would bond to styrene (solvent weld).

-Rog

I'm familiar with "pipette." Just wondering if "pippet" was Canadian. I was thrown by "deckles" (decals) and "hydro" the first time so I've vowed to remain on my toes.

-Rog

Is "pippet" another Canadian thing? Is it pronounced "pip it"? Just curious.

-Rog

Do you have a building materials recycling store near you? Here there's a Habitat for Humanity store, for instance. They sell just about everything, but of interest to you might be stuff like old countertops and doors, both of which make great surfaces to build on. They're usually cheap too. Another...

^ Springs are a great way to go. Although once you reach a certain size you can more easily see the gaps that form between the wire around tighter bends. I've seen guys use guitar strings before. Never mind, that won't be thick enough. Bass guitar strings come much thicker, for someone looking for t...

Okay, so if that's out...

The next product with modeling possibilities is the Amopé Pedi Perfect Nail Care System:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013IEGI1Y

I'm quite tempted actually. As much fun as sanding and sanding by hand is.

-Rog

This guy is the grand master of modeling water:

http://www.jbadiorama.com/

You'll have to poke around a bit, but he does a lot of in-progress stuff and includes all the materials and supplies he uses.

-Rog

I personally like these little foam sticks with different grits on them... The catch is you'll have to walk down the nail polish aisle.

But the nice thing is that you can trim them if you need a sharp point or specific shape.

-Rog

Testors German Mauve - TS5053:

http://www.squadron.com/Testors-German- ... ts5035.htm

Shows out of stock at the moment, but I know it's a current color.

Looks like Vallejo also makes it under the number FS37144.

-Rog

What about a mix of paint and something like Durham's water putty over a base that will cause it to crackle (per the above suggestions)? That would give you a little more thickness, like mud.

Might experiment with that in a bit just to see...

-Rog

Oh, okay. I was following the lines of it being 3D printed, and sometimes those can be made of odd plastics that don't work well with enamels. I'd still think it's a reaction issue, but I guess the primer would be the only suspect if everything else is "normal." I'm afraid I've never found...

I bet you'll still have the stickiness problem no matter what you put on it, as the incompatibility of enamel on various vinyl and nylon products tends to migrate up through paint... Unfortunately you'll probably have to strip it back and then you may or may not have luck with first priming it with ...

For quick stuff, I like to use silicone caulk. Make sure it's 100% and the clear stuff. The trick is to mix in a pea-size amount of acrylic paint, like you'd mix body filler. Then it sets up within minutes.

Fair warning: it'll make the house reek of vinegar, so do it outside if you care.

-Rog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stLzShlnrEk

Looks like any tube filler, but with water cleanup/thinning, so that's nice.

-Rog

At my local dollar store (real dollar store where everything's a dollar, not the fake ones who just have "Dollar" in their name), they sell packs of 3 small tubes, and you can get it in regular and gel.

-Rog

I like the $1 (ish) primer at Walmart. Probably the only reason I ever go there. It's thin and would be terrible to put on your car, but it's perfect for settling into even the smallest details.

-Rog