Non-Skid Surface

Here is probably the most realistic looking application at Pavel Vodnik's great site.
http://www.vodnik.net/pages/nonslip/nonslip.htm

I have also used fine (600 grit) automotive wet/dry sandpaper too. Just cut it to fit the area and glue in place with super glue.

Thanks Gino. Have you ever used it. Does it clean up easy enough?

Just saw a web site and photos. They masked off the areas that were to stay smooth (with out the antiskid texture). They then sprayed on MR Surfacer #500 with a Iwata eclipse airbrush with a .35mm nozzle. Must clean airbrush quickly afterward. Photos looked great. Vodnik.net was the sight.

I haven't used the Mr Surfacer technique yet. I'm kinda leary about putting it through my airbrush.

Could try bits of masking tape... I sealed mine, on a Leclerc kit, with liquid glue. Worked a treat.

Thats a great how to Gino, thanks for sharing that with the us!

As per the link above, many people nowadays are starting to use Mr Surfacer. I haven't tried it yet, and I probably won't, as I'm too afraid of running that stuff through my airbrush. However, it does seem to produce the most realistic result.

djmodels1999, using masking tape sounds like it could work. Do you think you can elaborate a little on your technique?

Have you tried the CASTaCOAT method.....this is John Murphy's attempt...it was his first as well !
What he says is use VERY little (as per 2nd pic) to get the even but thin result

[img.nr] http://smallshopeu.com/M1A1%20J%20Murphy/IMG_0932.jpg[/img.nr]
[img.nr] http://smallshopeu.com/M1A1%20J%20Murphy/IMG_0888.jpg[/img.nr]

Images from here
http://smallshopeu.com/M1A3%20John%20Murphy.htm

AJ

I bought Mr. Surfacer in a spray can and it works perfect. Best of all, you don't need to run anything through the airbrush

Zok,

it's really very simple..! Just cut bits of masking tape to the right dimensions and apply. Most of the times, a ruler would be enough, but some more complicated, compound curve areas required me to apply a wider bit of tape and cut it to shape on the model with a sharp blade. Little nicks and cuts with the blade will allow you to lay everything flat even on the most difficult shape (like what's sometimes needed to get a decal to fit compound curves...) Once in place just brush a bit of liquid glue over the edges. Not really sure it does help but I felt that the resulting melted plastic would kinf of 'merge' a little with the edges of the tape. It did work perfectly. The tape responded well to primer, paint, water-based washes and drybrushing (although I was careful when drybrushing near corners of the tape..

Thanks for the insite. I guess I'm off to my LHS to get some Mr. Surfacer.