Taking the edge off photo etch

In the scales that the PE comes in, does it really matter?

Jake

Sure it does...at least to those of us who are purist-modeling-snobs!!! Of course I'm just kidding Jake.

In some instances, especially using PE figures, I'll paint the surface to thicken up the brass.

There's also another method I use that I recommend ONLY ONLY ONLY if you are equipped to use it...as it could blow the roof off your house if done improperly.

Get a bottle of liquid cement...Testor's brand works well...cut little bits of sprue and let it dissolve into the mixture. Experiment with the mix to determine the ratio that works best for you.

Spray the cement mix through your airbrush, onto the brass parts. The cement and melted plastic will form a shell over the brass parts, giving them a three dimensional appearance. You CANNOT do this in an enclosed area, without proper breathing equipment, or with any sort of electrical exhaust fan. Why??? Atomized cement and their vapors will explode. Ka-BOOOM!!! How do I know this? I almost blew the garage door off my house about 15 years ago...singed my eyebrows off and had 1st degree burns over most exposed parts of my body, hands, neck, etc. No laughing matter.

A safer method would be to dip the parts into the mix, but the results are not nearly as good as spraying.

(Disclaimer) PLEASE do not try this at home in your basement unless you are EQUIPPED to do so.

Jeff

Ka-Booom!!! We're not talking Orange Glo anymore, are we! Have you tried something less leathel like Mr. Surfacer? Thanks for the suggestion... I think

I've tried Mr. Surfacer, in fact, I've tried lots of different things, but I've found that the only way to get a part to look three-dimensional is to coat it in plastic.

It also works quite well for masts and brass work, if you want to cover up a solder joint or something like that. It also adds a certain amount of strength to the joint, since it's basically a plastic-coated shell. It also allows you to attach plastic parts to the masts, etc., using regular MEK based agents like Tenax.

It works like a charm is it's done outdoors. Because of the fumes, etc., I really don't recommend doing it inside.

Jeff

Would that also preclude smoking during application????

Please, don't try out for the Darwin awards!