SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

What type of modelling paste or putty to use for groundwork for a wooden base?

2348 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2005
What type of modelling paste or putty to use for groundwork for a wooden base?
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 7, 2007 6:44 PM

I am working on a 1/35 scale Tiger Tank project with infantry.  I am planning on basing the tank and the infantry on a Basswood base that will be stained and varnished.

 What types of modelling pastes or puttys are suitable for creating a terrain groundwork for a scale model like this?  I have used Woodland Scenics Flexpaste, as well as ready-mixed wall filler for other wargaming and miniatures projects(like gaming boards and miniature basing), they work well for creating groundwork.

I also plan to have the Tiger Tank in a muddy setting, so I need something that I can sculpt onto the boots and pants of the infantry, as well as onto the treads and lower body of the tank.  I also plan to model tread tracks into the mud material while it is still wet.  So really I need something that can be applied and then worked and scultped and modelled while it is still wet, before I set it aside to dry.

 What do you use?

Thanks in advance, this is a great forum, lot's of nice, friendly people!

Mike

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: AusTx, Live Music Capitol of the World
Posted by SteveM on Friday, September 7, 2007 8:36 PM

Celluclay or Sculptamold. The jury is still out. Just don't use Baking Soda for snow, or this forum will implode Laugh [(-D]

Cheapest way is to mix real dirt (cooked to kill micro beasties) with earth toned acrylics and a glue/H2O mix. thickness= oatmeal. Spread and let dry. Add grass material of your choice. I like a blend of Woodland Scenics static grasses and field grasses. Here's how I did one recently...

Take photos and post 'em here, let us watch your progression. 

Steve M.

On the workbench: ginormous Kharkov dio

 

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: PA
Posted by daveinthehat on Saturday, September 8, 2007 3:02 PM

I use foam for my base then cover it with plaster. I paint the plaster a dirt color then brush on glue and cover it with real dirt. You could position your tank in the wet plaster by putting clear plastic food wrap around it. Then after it is in position add more dirt around it.

I would recommend a more stable base then basswood, just opinion.

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 8, 2007 6:36 PM
What type of wood would you recommend for a base?  I want to get one of the pre-cut ones that is ready for painting and basing.  Pine wood or something stronger?
  • Member since
    February 2007
Posted by Boomerang on Saturday, September 8, 2007 7:28 PM

 campaigner11 wrote:
What type of wood would you recommend for a base?  I want to get one of the pre-cut ones that is ready for painting and basing.  Pine wood or something stronger?

   I like to use picture frames. Throw the glass away and seal the backing board and it is ready to go.

   Boomer...

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Sunday, September 9, 2007 1:38 AM

I did a short tutorial just recently on here in "Armor"--type in "FINISHED! Hetzer base and figure tutorial" (without the quotation marks)--and you'll be able to see how Celluclay is easily applied. It has a long working time, but my tutorial explains how to shorten the actual drying time, and how to pre-tint it with acrylic paints.

The only thing I didn't add in the tutorial was that if you add too much water to it, you can squueze the excess water out of it by plopping it onto a piece of wedding veil and squeezing the water out of it. 

MAKE SURE YOU SEAL YOUR WOODEN BASE WITH A WATER-BARRIER SEALANT FIRST TO PREVENT WARPAGE!!!! Big Smile [:D] 

BTW, Steve--I'd forgotten about that tutorial you did--EXCELLENT! I 've bookmarked it for future reference! 

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: AusTx, Live Music Capitol of the World
Posted by SteveM on Sunday, September 9, 2007 9:32 AM
 the doog wrote:

BTW, Steve--I'd forgotten about that tutorial you did--EXCELLENT! I 've bookmarked it for future reference! 

Now there's a compliment and a half... Blush [:I]

Steve M.

On the workbench: ginormous Kharkov dio

 

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.