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Post-Primer Repair and Sanding?

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, December 5, 2011 8:41 AM

I generally work on primer with 320 or 400.  800 or 1200 is unnecessarily fine for primer.  I use that stuff only on final or penultimate color coats.  Yes, you can use putty over the primer.  I sometimes brush on a quick dab of flat paint to "fill" in a moderate scratch, since you can lay down a fairly thick amount with a brush.  But I also do putty a lot when I get those deep scratches. I use an auto body glazing putty, which matches quite closely the Krylon primer I use.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Monday, December 5, 2011 8:20 AM

This thread here should help you Perfect Seams.

Depending on what paint you are planning on applying, you don't need to polish the plastic to a glass like finish. In fact, some paints (especially acrylics) prefer a scuffed surface to grab onto as they typically do not contain any etching properties to help them bond.

Use glazing or finishing putties. Watch the automotive detailing programs on TV. One uses the same steps and procedures to paint a model. The better the surface prep, the better the paint will look.

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: Variable
Post-Primer Repair and Sanding?
Posted by Lt. Smash on Sunday, December 4, 2011 4:41 PM

First, let me say that I'm still a relative newbie at model building...which leads me to the reason for this post...

I've just primed a model that I'm building.  I've modified the heck out of this kit and while I thought I was being careful to remove telltale scratches, but my coat of primer has shown how wrong I was!  Now, I need to fix the scratches (and in someplaces there are lots). I've also noticed a couple of seams that need to be touched up.  I've done some searching on the forums and have ideas on how to fix this (i.e., wet sanding with finer grits).  But, I don't want to further mess this up and thought I'd double-check before I jump in feet first:

  1. Given light scratches, what grit sandpaper should I start with?  320?  400? 600?  I get that I should work up and eventually be polishing the plastic. 
  2. I have Flex-i-File's Flex Pads which include a 600 grit and a polisher/finisher.  Is that sufficient?  Should I use 800 or 1200 grit sandpaper?
  3. For deeper scratches and the visible seams, can I apply putty over the primer or should I remove the paint (with either paint remover or sanding) and then apply the putty?

Thanks for any insight.  I appreciate it.

Bob

On the bench:  Tasca M4A1 Sherman (Direct Vision Type)

Build Log: www.ltsmashsmodels.com

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