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Tamiya putty. Is it good stuff?

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Green Bay, WI USA
Tamiya putty. Is it good stuff?
Posted by echolmberg on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 9:31 AM

Hi guys!

I was at my local Hobby Lobby store the other day picking up a couple of modeling supplies.  While I was there, I saw some Tamiya white putty.  I was all out of my usual Squadron green putty so I picked up a tube of the Tamiya stuff.  I figured with the Tamiya name, it must be pretty good, right? 

If you've used the stuff before, what are your thoughts on it?  Any hints or tips to keep in mind when using it?  Can it be thinned?  With the Squadron green putty, I could wet my finger with rubbing alcohol and smooth the putty down.  Can I do something similar with the Tamiya putty?

Thanks!

Eric

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 1:04 PM

I have used it and I like it better than Squadron green.  Yes, it can be thinned, but not sure what I used.  I think I used lacqer thinner on my finger to smooth it out.  It sands well, once dry.

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Green Bay, WI USA
Posted by echolmberg on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 2:01 PM

Thank you Chuck.  Now I'm going to have to pick up some lacquer thinner (which kind of scares me more than using rubbing alcohol).

If I use the Tamiya stuff, will I have a problem with shrinkage?

Eric (NOT George Costanza)

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 2:48 PM

Not much experience here, but I went through various putties including Squadron not caring for any I tried. Tried Tamiya white and very much like it so far.

I've taken to thinning it with a bit of 100% acetone (labeled as nail polish remover) and applying it with a small brush. It does thicken/dry rather quickly, but another drop or so of acetone and it seems to keep on going like the Energizer Bunny.

Dries quickly, sands better than anything I had tried thus far.

That said, please keep in mind I am very much a filling/sanding rookie. Probably prudent to pay attention to Chuck and others here with far more experience than I. But I wanted to chime in anyway. :)

I think it shrinks some, yes. Not badly though, IMO.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Green Bay, WI USA
Posted by echolmberg on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 2:57 PM

Thanks Greg!  I value ALL opinions.  I, too, am a putty-using newbie.  The green putty always served me well so I never really had any complaints about it but I have heard others speak less-than-favorably about it.  The only reason I picked up the Tamiya putty was because it was the only putty available at Hobby Lobby.  I'm all for trying new things so I'm going to give it a shot.  I am absolutely sold on the wonders of Tamiya primer so maybe I'll feel the same way about their putty as well.  We shall see.

I'm glad to hear you were able to thin it with the nail polish remover.  Having a wife and two daughters guarantees that I'll have an endless supply of that lying around the house.  Ha-ha-ha!

Eric

  • Member since
    August 2012
  • From: Parker City, IN.
Posted by Rambo on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 3:43 PM

I like the Tamiya putty better then the Squadron stuff myself and i just use 91%iso to thin it just a few drops from a eyedropper then smooth it over with my finger. For bigger areas I use miliput it smooths really well and is also really easy to sand after it drys

Clint

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: San Antonio
Posted by paintsniffer on Friday, September 13, 2013 9:02 AM

I think Squadron shrinks less than the Tamiya. I use both straight from the tube.

The Tamiya is considerably finer grain, however.

Excuse me.. Is that an Uzi?

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 2:31 PM

Hi :

  It's been my experience to judge putty for what I require of it . I don't use Squadron green . The reason . ? I used to own two body shops and got used to the three colors of 3 - M glazing putty in the three pound tubes . This stuff does all i ask of it without getting so hard in the tube (in heated environments ) that you blow the bottom out trying to use it .Tamiya putty is great for fixing the sink marks on models when I don't need to do a lot of anything else .I also finish this off , whatever I use , with the Two grades of Mr . Surfacer I can get at my LHS .  The main thing when using putty to remember is this , It is always softer than any other part of the surface . Now  , another thing I do is to take a drop of medium set C/A on  my fingertip and spread it carefully over the finished surface .Then I prime everything and go from there  .      Tanker - Builder

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Cameron, Texas
Posted by Texgunner on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 2:40 PM

tankerbuilder

 Now  , another thing I do is to take a drop of medium set C/A on  my fingertip and spread it carefully over the finished surface    Tanker - Builder

Hey, I've done that lil' trick myself!  Great minds...Big Smile

Gary


"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"

  • Member since
    August 2007
Posted by adb2323 on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 4:08 PM

You may want to try using the Tamiya lacquer thinner instead of typical hardware store thinner. I think it is a lot less harsh, especially if you are smoothing with your finger. Also, you might want to try Mr. Dissolved Putty if you are filling small gaps. It can be brush painted on your model.Gunze also have their own lacquer thinner for that putty paint.  Mr. Surfacer 500 works well too.

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Sunday, September 22, 2013 10:42 AM

Yeah :

I like those products too . Just started using them and --They probably will find a permenant place in my supply cabinet .

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