New guy wanting advice

[Guest]

hi, im just getting back into aircraft kits again for the 1st time since i was a kid. im really just after some helpful advice anyone can offer me to help, im interested in using filler on the joints and have read a few things about using it, 1 guy using tipex.

thanks for the advice

[Guest]

Hello, I build by kits with Slaters MEK PAK. It is a very thin capillary action cement. I fit the fusealage together and run the cement down the joins, leave it a few seconds (count to ten) and squeeze. you will get a bead of cement down the join. shave off with a scalpal and you have a seamless join. for filler I use white Milliput this is a very fine filler which I press in with a cocktail stick. Then I get a 00 brush with water and paint the filler in.

As you are returning build straight from the box at first then as you gain confidence then go to the next level.

Painting. I find airbrushing really messy, mixing paints and thinners. I spray my aircraft with Halfords primer grey, black or white. then use Tamiya acrylic spray cans. for camoflage I make cardboard masks and spray over them like stencils.

If you need any more help and advice just ask.

Ben

[Guest]

Hi Dudley and a warm welcome to the forum. To start with have a look through our archives and see what has been talked about in the past and maybe have a look at the "Back to Bascis" thread, the link is on the left side of the main page.

As with most things to do with modelling it is all about experimenting but I would start of with simple techniques. A good simple ready mixed and convenient filler is Squadron Green putty. It comes in a tube and being solvent based etches itself into the surface of the plastic. You can cut it back and sand it but it is very hard so rubbing it down will take a bit of care and thought. Don't be tempted to use wet and dry in your fingers as you will end up rubbing more of the plastc away around it. Always support your abrasives with a hard backing such as a peice of wood to ensure a level surface is generated.

I would definately have a play with some scrap before you commit to a model and don't forget, the more effort and care to put into the assembly the less you will have to fill afterwards.

[Guest]

I find Squadron Green to be too indiscriminate I much prefer white Milliput it is easier to use and much cleaner, there is virtually no need at all to sand anything. I always mix too much but use the waste to make 1/35th sandbags or if there are any small bits left make bread rolls and other food items which then go into my spares box to be used as diorama accessories.

[Guest]

hi, im just getting back into aircraft kits again for the 1st time since i was a kid. im really just after some helpful advice anyone can offer me to help, im interested in using filler on the joints and have read a few things about using it, 1 guy using tipex. thanks for the advice

Hi Dudley (i'm new here to) but I've been building for years and I'm a member of other forums. I use tipex all the time, but it only has uses in certain circumstances, ie it will not fill wide gaps, but for small ones it fine

it you can see it all over this build

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773309/16585199/255235961.jpg

and here I've used it to fill the seams on a phantoms wing (fronts been cleaned, back as it was put on)

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773309/15910239/244102992.jpg

For larger gaps some use super glue wiped of before drying, but personally I prefer filler and then smooth it down with a cotton bud, and Nail varnish remover. (Test a small bit of scrap with NVR first to make sure it doesn't cause problems)

Tipex is fine, but it needs a long drying time before you can paint over it, but any excess can be removed with a fingernail or blunt stick.

Dave

[Guest]

I find Squadron Green to be too indiscriminate I much prefer white Milliput it is easier to use and much cleaner, there is virtually no need at all to sand anything. I always mix too much but use the waste to make 1/35th sandbags or if there are any small bits left make bread rolls and other food items which then go into my spares box to be used as diorama accessories.

As with so many things in modelling you usually prefer what you are used to. I would always suggest to a newcomer that you experiment first and find what you are most comfortable with.

There is never a shortage of suggestions though!

[Guest]

As Zero says Tippex is great for narrow shallow gaps - I use it when I to refill botched panel lines when re-scribing.

I have recently changed from Squadron Red putty to Milliput fine. Squadron dries really fast (good) but it is very hard and I find it difficult to "merge" it into the surrounding plastic. Milliput is easier to sand and smooth imho.