Casting Detail Technique Questions

I'm not sure I can help with the technique you're describing, but there was a really good article in the Feb 2002 FSM on doing up a Sherman with liquid glue and a brush. As far as your brush is concerned, run to the hardware store and get some "flux" brushes. They're cheap and you can just toss 'em when you're done with them. Also check your references closely. Most modern armor, post M60 series, have very smooth armor except where anti-skid surfaces are installed to keep the crew members from "slip sliding" away.

Justin:

I've never even heard of that technique. All the stippling effects I've seen here refer to painting the surface with liquid cement to soften the plastic, then stippling that with a cut down brush. I have seen a few references to doing weld beads with putty, but not a whole surface. Also, I've never heard of thinning down the putty with nail polish remover. It's made with acetone, so I guess it should work. I've seen mention of thinning it with liquid cement.

Sorry to be of no more help. If you get it figured out, let us know. Sounds interesting.

Bill

Justin.

Some guys use straight poly cement on the plastic and stipple that, but the putty and thinner option just means you don't have to wait for the plastic to melt.

A lot of guys use Mr Surfacer to get a rough texture this way. This stuff comes in 2 grades: 500 and 1000....basically a thicker or thinner mixture. For all intents and purposes it is model putty and thin liquid Poly cement already mixed for you, so you get a consistent result.

Mixing a paste yourself will depend on a lot of things, not the least the time the mix is open to the air. The Nail Polish remover will evaporate after a short time, leaving you a thicker mixture that is harder to stipple. Just make small quantities, at a spreadable but not runny consistancy, and do small areas at a time....just like doing Zim. Personally I would try Poly Cement first instead of the acetone based remover. Although the remover is probably cheaper than the cement, it is not that much more cost effective.

As Steve says, thisis a use the brush once and throw it away technique...so get cheap brushes.

Thanks for the input everyone!
I have read about the use of plastic cement used to melt the plastic and also using cement to thin putty. I’m just a little tentative on doing that and messing the thing up. I ran across the thinned putty idea from some posts on another site from peoples projects. I thought that using the putty might be safer...if I messed up I could just use nail polish to remove the putty and start over. I have some results...no pics but I will try to describe what I have found.

First off I would like to say that I am somewhat pleased with how this works. I mixed more putty and nail polish remover last night. found it easiest to make it the consistency of elmers glue. I start with a small glob of putty about the size of a dime. Then I add about 4 good size drops of nail polish remover and mix it together. I add polish remover as needed to get the right consistency.
I then just use an old brush and paint it over the surface I want the effect. The thicker I paint it on the more dramatic it will be when I use the brush on it. I wait just a few minutes to let the putty dry just a bit then start the stippling on it. In thick areas it almost looks like very rough steel and in thin areas more like the anti skid surfacing that Spamicus mentioned. This morning I painted the surface to see what it looks like with a coat of paint.
Not a bad result. I agree with you that it would seem to be more appropriate for WWII type applications. I also agree that Mr. Surfacer would probably be an easier route. I tried this because I didn't have any Mr. Surfacer and putty I had...nail polish remover my fiancé had...so I gave it a shot.

Thanks again for the input.