Starship Modeler Discussion Forums

I would never use polyester resin to cast with. It shrinks way too much. If you overdo the catalyst in will get too hot while curing (really shrink) and you can cause it to crack the casting if it is a large volume pour. It can put out a lot of heat when casting heavy, large volume castings. Polyest...

Paint does not adhere well to epoxy. Not the 2-part casting epoxies. Epoxy is used more as a mechanical adhesive. Yeah, you can cast parts out of it and you can even tint or pigment the resin, but don't anticipate spectacular colors. You have to be careful how much pigment you use, too much and it w...

Have they gotten better? When they were under new ownership 5 years ago, or sop...I tried ordering all kinds of stuff off the web site and they didn't have any of it. They were very hard to contact.

Well, the Micro Mark photo etcher is too small for my needs, plus I don't have a printer. I suppose you could hand draw the parts, but I think most use some sort of 2d software to make the parts? I don't need to mass produce anything, so I don't know where to go or who to ask to have parts made?

I was curious to know if anyone here can photoetch? For years I've contemplated buying the small photo etch machine that Micro Mark sells. I'm sure it works great for small, 'one of' custom parts, buy I need something that can do more and it sounds expensive. I was wondering if anyone else here can ...

I was going to comment on this as well, seems repetitive if I do so I'll refrain. Sounds like you can't get kit print upgrades. I think you need to have the STL file already and you send it to them and they print what you want for you. 308 bits made a great many upgraded parts for the Falcon be it t...

What do you wash brake fluid off with? Just soap and water? Well, I was told that the Castrol Super Clean strips everything off. From the plating all the way down to the plastic (takes the coating off). I imagine I should be able to use it over and over before it loses its effectiveness? Never knew ...

Not sure I read it there, but I thought I had. I seemed to remember it was used as a paint stripper, so...I can also use that for paint stripping. Probably takes days to remove paint like enamels and lacquers. I think I'll give this Castrol Super clean a shot to see if it removes the electroplating.

Well, the Castrol Super Clean I found is I think is the same stuff. It's got the active chemicals in it someone mentioned the old stuff had. So, I think it should work fine removing the electroplating and I think it will take paint off too without destroying plastic parts. At least I hope it will. W...

Is oven cleaner a better paint stripper or something else? Brake fluid maybe?

Anyone think this stuff will strip paint too? If its strong enough to removed electroplating and the yellow coating...it should strip paint also...no?

WOW. Well, I knew it was super caustic stuff. I think it will dissolve your skin off from prolonged exposure. This seems to be the old school stuff that can strip electroplated plastic. Long elbow length rubber chemical gloves and a face shield will be necessary. I might even use one of those one-pi...

I think that's the same SDS I got. I couldn't figure out how to post it here with my phone. I'm really bad at using my cell phone. I still can't see how you upload files and post them here? What do you think? is it the same stuff that will strip electroplated plastic? I think it is.

I would. How do you upload a PDF on here? No idea how the thread got 1,000 views. I did post the link above in one of my posts to where I found the Castrol degreaser. The Guy I heard from sent me the SDS, but if I remember right, its a PDF file...like 10 pages long or something? I'm pretty sure it's...

I still think MEK and acrylic solvents work the best on styrene and MEK exclusively on ABS.

Electroplating on plastic is the same chemical process regardless of the kit brand. I've seen old Revell, MPC, Monogram and AMT kits on EVIL :evil: BAY (because I'm looking for 1/8 scale motorcycles right now) and some of those kits were complete P.O.S. A seller was still trying to get near $100 for...

Hey everyone, I think I have good news. I did ask for the SDS on the Castrol Superclean and they came through. Pretty caustic stuff. I think it has all the nasty chemicals in it that strips 50+year burnt on engine oil, grease and gasket glue and it looks like it will strip electro plated plastic par...

Well, I don't think they tell you what is in it either the Evil :evil: Bay auction or the other web site I found? I'd rather buy the gallon jug than getting ripped off by an ebay seller and pay $30 for a 4oz. spray bottle. I was just wondering if those are the old school superclean degreasers or the...

Is this the same thing as the old school Castrol Super Clean, not the new super clean :censored: . I've got a loads of parts I wants to strip of the chrome off of. https://www.ebay.com/itm/266839007212?_skw=Castrol+Super+Clean&itmmeta=01JAECYZRZR4YVTX11ECQF0P8C&hash=item3e20d81fec:g:738AAOSw...

I talked to someone the other day who is part of Pocher club/forum and it most definitely is styrene. Regular styrene solvents will work, MEK and I thought of using the Plasti Weld Plastistruct makes will work. I'm confident it will. Its solvent universally works on most plastics if I am not mistake...

I got the parts just a couple days ago, they are without a doubt styrene. The seller kind threw me off with how he said he repaired one of the parts that cracked and needed to be glued back together. He used superglue and a piece of metal to pin the part. So, I thought it wasn't styrene and somethin...

Stupid question/subject, but I'm wondering if anyone in here knows? I bought out some 1/8 scale Poacher body parts for a different scratch project. Does anyone know what kind of plastic Poacher used (or uses) for the kits? I don't think it is styrene? I want to know what solvent to use to bond the p...

Tony...you mean 308 bits? The only way I know ow to contact him is through the Shapeways web site. So...they didn't close their doors, just the web site is screwed up?

Has Shapeways gone the way of the the Dodo bird?

Well, gone are the days of FX miniatures. ILM paved the way to CG and building film miniatures went the way of the dinosaur. Painting in scale is just as it means and what others have written in here. It is the muting and dulling down of colors and glossy sheens. Colors become dull and less vibrant ...

I have thank you for the link. When I have the kit and have a chance to really look at it, get some measurements I'll post pictures and I'll be inquiring in that forum about the best way to cut into a car body like that. I just want to be really sure I have a good idea what I'm doing and to inflict ...

Yeah, it'll be a project. It'll be just challenging getting the 1/24 Nemo car onto a chassis/frame and fitting in suspension and everything because the Wave kit is really more of an aesthetic piece with nothing inside it. I think I can do it with some existing 1/20, 1/24 and 1/25 scale cars. I got a...

It's a Japanese styrene/commercial kit, but the hood is molded into the body (one piece). The hard top is the only separate part from the body besides the ornamental parts (all the chrome pieces). Yes, I'll have a better idea when the kit arrives and can measure it and see what I can drop in the eng...

I just purchased this car kit; Wave 1/24 Nemo's Car Model Kit The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen eBay item number:126654105790. I don't have it in my possession yet, but the auction number is listed will show you what it is in case you don't? I don't usually build cars, but this one being a ficti...