Parafilm M

I use it for masking. I have no problems with it... except when I dont use a brand new hobby knife and it doesnt cut a clean line in it... then it sticks and stretches a bit when I pull it up. I hate that.. just need to make very nice cuts in it to avoid problems.

Only use acrylic paints with it. enamels and laquers will eat Parafilm M alive and leave an ugly mess of plastic and paint on your model.

Its great stuff for masking over compound curves.

I haven't experienced the problem of Parafilm with enamels. But I have only used it when spraying, so the paint is much thinner and will dry much faster than brushing. I love Parafilm for complex camouflage jobs. I did the 4-color Swedish camouflage using Parafilm and was subsequenlty released from the mental hospital much sooner than expected!

What is parafilm and where can i get some? the grocery store or a hobby shop?

Testors makes it in a roll that can probably be found at any hobby shop or art supply shop that carries Aztec airbrushes.

From what I understand, Parafilm M began life as some sort of wrapping for medical instruments or something like that. Perhaps a medical supply shop could carry it, but I'm not sure if what Ive heard is true about its medical applications.

Still a hobby or art supply shop that carries Aztec stuff should be able to special order it for you.

Thank you for the information I got the Parafilm from Micro-Mark .
Thanks
Shawn

I like parafilm "M"

Used with enamels and acrylics without problem. Rolled it to make a soft edge for two and three color jobs. Nice to use for touch ups on a completed model because it won't pull anything off.

Also wrap it around paint and liquid glue bottle caps to keep air out.

New blade is a must !

Bought mine from Carolina Supply, a scientific supplier to schools/hospitals, got a 250 ft roll for about twice the price of 25 feet in the hobby store. Good source for knife blades to.

was wondering if any of you Parafilm "pros" could give a tip or two on it's use.
does the stuff age?
i got a roll from MicroMark and attempted to follow the instructions, but had no success. it did not adhere to anything.
i thought i had it 'upside down', so i even tried it the other way.
no joy.
it's back in the bag for the time being.
any ideas?

My experience with Parafilm is same as wildwilliam.Got it from Micro-Mark ands it won't stick to anything.What's the secret??

teise

QUOTE: Originally posted by TEISE My experience with Parafilm is same as wildwilliam.Got it from Micro-Mark ands it won't stick to anything.What's the secret?? teise

Did you guys strech it like you are supposed to? If you strech it, it becomes thin and tacky. It sticks to almost anything but with low tack so its safe for your paint.

Yup, Parafilm comes from the medical profession it is used to seal specimen bottles.
Check your local lab supply store they should have some.
Only link for a supplier I have is outdated.

Many of the things and tools we use in modeling are simply repackaged stuff from other industires by the makers and sold at a higher price to us.

Often a visit to a crafts store or similar will result in the same stuff for cheaper. I get my surgical gloves from the local drug store(horrible blue) but than I get 50 pairs for $12 vs 5 pairs for $5 at the LHS.

Your Dentist also has plenty of tools that he throws out but can still be used in modeling.

Make sure you stretch the Parafilm to about five times its length then the wax will be activated and ready to use. When I need to move small amounts of the film on the model I use a wet toothpick to push it around. Or even a wet finger/thumb will work.

I don't have the stuff, but I want it. (masking the canopy for my Italeri V-22 Osprey is difficult because the canopy is tinted dark and the edges are shallow)

In any case I found a website that seems to explain things:
http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/pmodels/Parafilm2.htm

Anyone try this Press and Seal by Glad Wrap I think? It looks to be a lot like parafilm.