TIP: Using #0000 Steel Wool on models

From doing some woodworking it's cautioned that you shouldn't use a water based clear finish after using steel wool because you'll get rust spots. I assume the sdame holds true for plastic. I'd aoid using it.

There are such good rust colors available in hobby paints it seems like a lot of effort to make your own rust.  Also, for weathering powder, real rouge is basically just rust.

plasticjunkie

 Sprue-ce Goose

Chrisk-k

Don Stauffer

I have used it a few times.  The problem I have with it is that the tiny pieces of steel wool that break off- a sort of steel "dust" seems to be harder to remove than ordinary sanding dust.

Absolutely. IME, micro pieces of steel wool are more difficult to remove than sanding dust. .............. Moreover, steel wool debris seem to stick to the surface more strongly than sanding dust.   

 What about a thorough rinsing in a water bath?

Let the debris settle and let oxidation turn the debris into a "rust" sludge that can be filtered and dried for eventual use in small amounts on armor builds?

Is that feasible? 

  

I have tried making that soup and it did no go well at all.

 

Sprue-ce Goose

 

Chrisk-k

 

 

Don Stauffer

I have used it a few times.  The problem I have with it is that the tiny pieces of steel wool that break off- a sort of steel "dust" seems to be harder to remove than ordinary sanding dust.

 

 

 

Absolutely. IME, micro pieces of steel wool are more difficult to remove than sanding dust. .............. Moreover, steel wool debris seem to stick to the surface more strongly than sanding dust.   

 

 

 

What about a thorough rinsing in a water bath?

Let the debris settle and let oxidation turn the debris into a "rust" sludge that can be filtered and dried for eventual use in small amounts on armor builds?

Is that feasible? 

 

I have tried making that soup and it did no go well at all.

Chrisk-k

 

 

Don Stauffer

I have used it a few times.  The problem I have with it is that the tiny pieces of steel wool that break off- a sort of steel "dust" seems to be harder to remove than ordinary sanding dust.

 

 

 

Absolutely. IME, micro pieces of steel wool are more difficult to remove than sanding dust. .............. Moreover, steel wool debris seem to stick to the surface more strongly than sanding dust.   

 

Yes 0000 steel wool will polish the plastic. I just hate that leftover fuzz that is anoying to remove as it goes everywhere so if you blow it be careful with your eyes. I've heard that  bronze wool is even better because it won't leave the microscopic scratches that steel wool leaves.

Don Stauffer

I have used it a few times.  The problem I have with it is that the tiny pieces of steel wool that break off- a sort of steel "dust" seems to be harder to remove than ordinary sanding dust.

Absolutely. IME, micro pieces of steel wool are more difficult to remove than sanding dust. If you use tack cloth (or something similar) to remove steel wool debris, you'll end up with a ton of micro sratches on the surface (i.e., steel destroys plastic). Moreover, steel wool debris seem to stick to the surface more strongly than sanding dust.   

Don, I have a package of 0000 on my work bench. I usuallly forget to use it (then I forget a lot of things lately). Steel wool works great, but it is a good idea to crank up your airbrush and hit the model with it before adding paint!

I have used it a few times.  The problem I have with it is that the tiny pieces of steel wool that break off- a sort of steel "dust" seems to be harder to remove than ordinary sanding dust.

Nice tip!  Thanks.

Good tip.  You ought to send this one in to the Mag.   They'll pay you 15 bucks for it when published.

Sounds like a great tip, I'll have to give it a shot as well.

I'll give it a try.

Thanks for the tip !