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Filling Seams & Gaps

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  • Member since
    November 2005
Filling Seams & Gaps
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 27, 2005 6:18 AM
Hello folks. I'd like to share with all of you a seam & gap filling technique that I have been using for many years. The items you need are a piece of sprue, a bottle of Tenax or Proweld, a Touch-N-Flow applicator, sprue nippers and a candle. (and of course the model kit you're working on). The process is quite simple and works very well.

First stretch the sprue to any length. You notice that when you take the sprue away from the heat, the sprue cools as you stretch it. It also is very thin at the center and wider towards the ends.

Next run the sprue along the gap/seam you are going to fill until it fits snugly in the gap or seam.
Now cut the sprue leaving it in the seam/gap.
Now using the Touch-N-Flow applicator, (I use the applicator because it offers better control of the release of the Tenax or Proweld onto the model), apply the small drops along the seam. The Tenax/Proweld produces a solid melting(welding) of the plastic so there is no shrinkage or cracking of the joint, like you'd sometimes see with putty's.
Most of the time when I use this technique, it would require little to no sanding, so the surface detail is hardly ever damaged. If it does need sanding, just wait a few minutes for the joint to completely cure, then wet sand the area.
I've used this technique on seams/gaps of all sizes and I rarely use putty anymore. Now I don't know if anyone else has been doing this but when ever I have mentioned it and demonstrated it to friends and club members, their eyes nearly pop out of their heads at how well it works. It saves time on building and cuts down on the cost of putty because the sprue is already in the kit! I hope this helps you folks out with your projects.
Chris Cool [8D]
  • Member since
    March 2005
Posted by Aviator on Friday, April 1, 2005 8:03 PM
Thanks for info, I'll have to try it sometime. One thing I don't like is spending a lot of time sanding, which usually takes off some surface detail.Cool [8D]
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 3, 2005 9:23 AM
Bow [bow]Wow!! [wow]Thanks for a great tip. I will definitely be trying this one next time out.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 7:49 PM
Glad to be of help. Hope you have great results like I have.
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