Help with Mr Hobby Putty

Hi Chris ,

Good question as I have putty issues myself, as I have been experimenting with putty.  So far, for large gaps, I start with Squadron green injected with a hypodermic syringe with out a needle...sort of a mini caulking gun.  That helps get the putty where you want it accurately without much " colateral damage "

After the green has set and been sanded, I put a coating of Testors Model masters glue on the putty wich helps set it better, hence less grit.  If I still have any gap issues  then use Mr. Surfacer 500, 1000 and/or 1200 over the seams...over and over again until the seams/gaps disapear, sanding between each coat when necessary.     It's a painstaking process and I quest to find a better, faster way but so far this works for me.

I have heard good things about " Perfect Plastic Putty", but it is not cheaply available here in the US.

it comes to about $16.00 with shipping from the UK and that's just too much.

Hi Jay Jay,

That's a good idea about using a syringe tube as a caulking gun.

I tend to cut off small amounts of plastic from an ice cream lid and use them as a miniature trowel.

First I tape close to the seam (to limit the amount of excess clean up), then I load up my trowel with thinned putty and put into the gaps.  

This works well with thinned green squadron putty, but I can't get it to work with Mr Hobby White Putty (mainly because I can't fill it).

Good idea about the Mr Surfacer - I actually have some 1200 at home.  I might use that over some more minor imperfections.

Thanks for the tips.

A quick question regarding hobby putty. Are most putty water based? Reason I'm asking if they can be wet sanded using a mild/fine abrasive sponge or hobby file.

Sorry BlackSheep, I'm not too sure.

I suspect they are more lacquer based - given the fact nail polish remover can be used to thin them. Also, they tend to have that similar smell of a lacquer (so I assume something within the mixture must be similar).

Gunze makes a  thinner specifically  for their putties, if you can  find it, it works well.  I think it's called Mr. Surfacer Levelling Thinner.  I usually get it from Sprue Brothers.

The discovery of automotive glazing putty (Bondo) really revolutionized modeling for me.

Check out my review if you're interested. The stuff is better than any hobby putty I've ever tried...it's significantly cheaper...and easy to get

Bondo Review

@Cadet Chuck - thanks for letting me know about that. I didn't realise they had a special thinner for their putty. I'll probably be putting their putty to one side from now on if that's the case.

@dflu78 - thanks for the heads up and link. I'll definitely see if the auto shops down under sell that, or something similar.  Fingers crossed they do.  

Also, thanks for the link to your website.  Great review on the Bondo - i'll have to lurk around a bit more and check out the rest of your site too.

A heads up on the Bondo.

I agree with how great it is.

However, when you pick it up at the store make sure its not the two part version. The two part version is like an epoxy where you mix the contents of two different tubes. The big tube is about the same size as regular Bondo. The other tube is much smaller and in the package may be behind the bigger tube and you don't notice it until you open the package. The packaging is almost identical to regular Bondo (well, it was when I bought it).

Dummy me was initially thinking "cool, they included a sample tube", Duh!!! Fortunately I was able to exchange it for regular Bondo even though I did open the package. Unfortunately my project was delayed by several days until I had the time (and energy) to return to the store of purchase.

This sounds like the answer !   'm on my way to autozone,   TYTYTY

I've had the same problem with Squadron white putty. No matter how well you think it's sanded it always seems gritty and rough. Last time I went to my LHS, they had a tube of Tamiya putty.

This stuff is awesome. It's got a consistency more like a cream than a putty, very gooey and smooth. I haven't painted it yet but it appears very smooth and sets up fast. I spread it over the gap I need filled then use Mr level thinner to smooth it out. If you work quickly the thinner doesn't attack the plastic and you get a nice smooth seam that needs minimal sanding. Check it out.

Good luck.
John

dflu78  

Well, I used the Bondo glazing putty for the 1st  time and you forgot to tell us how easy it was to use.  I was able to fix some tiny wing root issues with no mess at all.  The stuff goes just where you put it and with hardly any "colateral damage "to adjoining details.  It lays down smooth as well.

I have a new favorite,  and the auto parts store where i bought it is 1 mile from my house so there's no shipping !  

Thanks again for the much needed heads up on this putty.