Thinning modeling putty

I must respectfully disagree on using acetone.  I use it in this application, and I haven't seen any damage to the plastic.  I buy mine at the hardware store, in a stronger solution than nail polish removers, and I use it with Sqaudron putty in two methods.

In the first, I apply the putty to the area, then use a cotton swab dipped in acetone to remove the excess and to smooth the putty into the area to be filled.

In the second, I put a dab of putty on a non-porous paletter and add acetone with a glass eyedropper, until I get the consistency I want.  Then I apply this to the area with an old paintbrush.  I call this "homemade Mr. Surfacer".

I don't dispute that acetone will damage or even dissolve styrene.  I once swiped a bottle from the chem lab in college, to use in cleaning tar off our glassware.  My punishment for the theft was that the bottle leaked in my backpack, and melted the casing on my old Texas Instruments calculator (it was 1983).  But in this kind of application, I think we're not using amounts that are sufficient to cause damage.

Best regards,

Brad

Hmmm, interesting...

Is this squadron putty like my own revell plasto i.e. solvent based? If that is the case i would certainly give it a go as the plasto tends to harden up really fast and can be too thick coming out of the tube.

Richard

Squadron putty is solvent based, but I don't know if it's the same as Revell Plasto, as I have never used that one.

Good question about Squadron's formula, gentlemen.  Off the top of my head, I only remember that it contains tolulene, but I might be mistaken about that.  I'll have to look at the label tonight.

This method, though, has a number of variations, based on the putty and solvent used to thin it.  I think we've discussed using 3M's blue and green putties, with various solvents, like lacquer thinner, and liquid glue with sprue bits, to do more or less the same thing.  I recall also someone using the thinnest formula CA glue he could find, mixed with baking soda, as a filler.

Sorry to butt in, however I have a two questions for you. I'am still fairly new at the putty filling thing and I do what you described on the first application. My question is, why do you apply a second with a brush?. What advantage do you get from it?

I'm aware ot it but in all my travels I've not seen revell Plasto at any US stores.

Is it any good?

I find good ole Testors liquid glue does the trick just fine with the putty

Very good question, PD!  Sometimes I want more control over where I'm applying the putty, and using a small brush allows me to put it right where I want it.  It's the same as applying Mr Surfacer with a brush to a seam or depression to fill.

My goal in using either technique is to reduce the amount of cleanup, once the putty cures, especially sanding and removing kit detail.  And I also found, when I first tried Mr Surfacer, even its thickest grade wasn't quite as thick as I wanted for some seam work.

Hope that explains a little better!