Putty and liquid glue recommendations

Thanks Mike!

CA is an abbreviation for CyanoAcrylate which is an ingredient in super glues like Zap.

Mike

Can I ask what "CA" is?
Sorry, I'm new to all of this and thank goodness for all the info everyone puts forth, it really helps the new guys like me.
Thanks

squadron white is supposedly guarenteed not to shrink.

I've always used squadron white and never really been satisfied with how it sands out- especially on natural metal finishes where a perfect surface is required! gonna try a couple of others- guess all it took was knowing what was out there! It's a crying shame that hobby shops stock so little in this country - move to NZ even to see some hobby shops that will blow you away - it's all there in one spot with lots of people to talk to! Support your local shop and buy lots of stuff so he buys more stuff!!!!

QUOTE: Originally posted by MikeV SFPROPS, That was an interesting assessment there.

I've never had a tube of each on hand at the same time, so take my observations with a grain of salt....but I think based on the evidence I've mentioned, the coincidences concerning the similarities between the two putties are more than enough to make you go...hmmmm.

Before I'd tried the Bondo I'd used the Testors white ...which...leaves a lot to be desired, in my opinion. Then I'd tried the Sq. Green. Out of the three, the Bondo Red has been the best thus far. I've tried using CA as a filler, though with really poor results (a mess).

I think that in addition to the 3M acryl blue, I'll have to try the Squandron White now.! THANKS!

SFPROPS,

That was an interesting assessment there.

I have used the Squadron Green putty and I just bought this tube of the white and from what I have seen so far I would say the white is finer grained than the green, although my tube is a bit old and had to be stirred to get it mixed back together as it was too much in liquid form.

Mike

I'd really like to know some expert info on the differences between Squandron White and Green myself.

After hearing praise for Squandron putty, I tried the green and wasn't totally satisfied with it. It seemed to me to be similar in composition to the Bondo Red Glazing putty but a little thicker and it seemed to dry even quicker. I might want to try the white if there are big differences. I've also been hearing for years about the Acryl Blue putties but have never gotten around to buying a tube. I think I'm going to try to find some tomorrow.

As for the Testors red putty in the big tube...I'll let you in on what I believe may be a little secret.....

I believe (and I'm not stating this as fact) that the Testors Red putty and Bondo Red putty are THE VERY SAME PUTTY, only packaged and marketed differently. Besides the fact that they physically appear the same and the tubes look to be about the same, both Testors and Bondo are owned by the RPM Corporation. It would make sense to find a dual purpose for an already formulated filler product that the company makes.

All I know is that the Bondo in the automotive aisle at Wal-Mart costs about half what the Testors costs anywhere else. Less than 2 dollars for a tube that's about 3 times the size of a tube of Squadron.

I like the Mr Liquid putty, Humbrol and Revell paste.
For CA I use LOGO and a strange one with no brand name on it sold by the bucket (5x volume of the regular 5cc tube at the same price) but apparently it is really good.

Great info on the Putty and Glue.
I have used the testors white putty years ago when I was doing a lot of kit building.
It worked pretty good. Now after reading here, I will be sure to try some of the other putty ideas.
As far as glue, I did use some Tenax 7R. I have used a super glue called insta-cure+.
Also, If you are working on metal figures using Insta-cure+, try Insta-set.
Its in a mini spray bottle and you can almost hear the glue drying set.

Going to try insta-cure and insta-set on some plastic.
Will let you know how it works.
Thanks, Chuck

Mike
I agree with Gyp on the DuPont laquer based putty. You can get it at just about any good auto supply store. My local auto supply carries two different colors of the stuff. A green which is super fast drying (you can sand w/in 2 minutes of application) and a red (which I use most of the time) which can be sanded w/in an hour of application (i usually let it dry overnight to take care of shrinkage). Been using it for years.
For liquid cement I use a product called Pleximent (Pleximent Chloride). It was origionally designed for gluing plexiglass parts together and then someone started bottling it in 2 0z bottles and selling it in hobby shops as IPS WeldOn #3 at $2.95 a bottle. About ten years ago I found that I could buy a quart of it for $4.95. A quart lasts about 2 1/2 to 3 years. The only problem now is it is no longer available in quarts, just by the gallon ($25.95 a gal). Check your yellow pages for a plastic distributor and give them a call, they should be able to help you.

Thanks Dave.

The green is also Toluene based as I had some before.
It looks to me like the green may be a bit thicker in consistancy, but I nay be wrong. Maybe an old pro could enlighten us on this subject.

Mike

I have never used the green squadron putty, but as I understand it, the white putty is easier to paint over than the green is. I have also had the white putty craze plastic on me. I was told I could prevent that with the green. I am not sure if there is a different main chemical in the green or not. (white is toluene based).

God Bless
Dave

Well I made a trip to the LHS this morning and bought some Squadron white putty as that is all they carry, along with the Testors red putty which I know nothing about.
I'll have to try it out and see how I like it. I imagine it is smoother than the green correct? Why do they make both the white and the green? Are they suited better for certain uses?

Mike

Thanks for the tip Murray. I appreciate it.

Mike

Hey Mike,

One small tip. When using putties like this (the ones that dry by evaporation), put them on in several *thin* layers rather than try to fill a hole all in one clump. They tend to shrink a bit over time and that can be really annoying when you notice it 2 weeks after your masterpiece is finished. Using thin layers really helps them dry quicker and pretty much eliminates any shrinking.

Murray

QUOTE: Originally posted by HistoryinScale I have squadron grn/white and Tamiya Epoxy putty....Im not sure if this is the same Tamiya putty the others are reffering to.

Chris,

No, that is an epoxy putty. I was referring to the regular Tamiya putty.
I think they make three different ones including the one you mentioned.

Gip,

Thanks for the tips. I think I will just buy the Squadron white as that is what the hobby shop sells. I will probably give several a try over time to see what I prefer.
I appreciate the help from both of you as well as everyone else

Mike

Mike,
To each their own: I really like the Tamiya putty, but I also really like my DuPont lacquer putty (used in auto refinishing/painting). I bought a big tube for about $18 12 years ago, and still have over half a tube left. The stuff is very fine, and sands out well. Basically all it is is a thickened primer. Stuff's available at most paint stores. A similar product is 3M's acryl blue putty.

As far as glues, I use both Testor's liquid and Tamiya's liquid cement (extra thin). The Tesor's seems to set up a little slower than the Tamiya, but both are excellent products.

Hope this helps.
Gip Winecoff

Mike I guess it really depends on what your using the putty for....

I have squadron grn/white and Tamiya Epoxy putty....Im not sure if this is the same Tamiya putty the others are reffering to.

I still like squadron putty and employ the method of "fencing" to fill seams which Swanny shares on his website....works great

I have just started to use the Tam epoxy putty for a few things...filling gaps where you can sandwhich the putty in between the 2 parts then trim off the excess works great for that....I have yet to use it for other things, Im sure it has many more uses, but I have yet to discover them as I just bought some a few weeks back.

QUOTE: Originally posted by shermanfreak Of the 2 choices of putty that you have listed Mike, I'd pick the Tamiya without even thinking twice about. It's a great product to work with.

How does the Squadron white putty compare to the Tamiya?
The hobby store I was at today only had the Squadron white.

Mike

Putty: Tamiya or Gunze(prefer Gunze prethinned), the others I use you would have to order via HLJ or similar web-site.

Glue: Tamiya(thick and thin), I use the WAVE Superglue(CA) comes in strong and quick setting, dries clear & no smell. Each set also comes with some K-nozzles.

Mike. As you surely know, everyone has their own preferences. Mine are:

Putties: Bondo Spot/Glaze putty or Tamiya putty
Glues: Ambroid Pro-Weld and occasionally CA.

Murray

Thanks brother.

Mike

Of the 2 choices of putty that you have listed Mike, I'd pick the Tamiya without even thinking twice about. It's a great product to work with.

I don't use liquid cements (strictly a CA kinda guy) but both Tenax-7 and Ambroid Pro-Weld have good reputations with the modelling world.