Major differences between resin and styrene

anduril · Post by **anduril** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 11:05 am

I looked through the pinned posts but I couldn't find what I was looking for.

What are the pros and cons of resin models versus styrene? I've only ever worked with styrene so that's what I'm familiar with. I'm thinking about ordering some resin models from StarCraft.

What pieces of advice would you give a beginner in resin like me? Construction, painting, etc?

Vetter · Post by **Vetter** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 11:34 am

I really haven't found any painting differences. Yes there are examples of bad resin pieces that misbehave but for the most part just wash and prime like any plastic kit. Resin is heavier and there can be sagging issues.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 11:55 am

Resin requires pinning and different glues. Cleanup is usually different as resin can have huge pour stubs, horrible seams, misaligned sides, etc.

When it comes to paint the biggest difference is resin pretty much mandates a primer.

I thought we had something on resin here...

irishtrek · Post by **irishtrek** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 1:15 pm

Kylwell wrote:Resin requires pinning and different glues. Cleanup is usually different as resin can have huge pour stubs, horrible seams, misaligned sides, etc.

When it comes to paint the biggest difference is resin pretty much mandates a primer.

I thought we had something on resin here...

Pinning??

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 1:22 pm

Pinning helps reinforce the butt joint you'll encounter with resin kits. You drill corresponding holes in both mating surfaces and use a short length of wire, tubing, etc to enforce the joint.

Rogviler · Post by **Rogviler** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 1:26 pm

I would also add that resin almost always seems to be rougher on the sculpt, so if you want a flawless model it can take more work. But that can also be the fun part. I have seen a few near-perfect resin models. And of course there are plenty of bad styrene kits.

Not much else that hasn't been said though. As long as you don't get a weepy, saggy piece of resin it's truly just another kit.

-Rog

Richard Baker · Post by **Richard Baker** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 2:21 pm

A lot depends on who produces the kit. I have some which require a lot of work to get the pieces to fit well, others (like Atomic City/Captain Cardboard) look like styrene kits just from a different material.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 2:52 pm

And it's why there are few people I'll buy resin casting from anymore. While I appreciate the work there are far too many people who master models and then insist on doing the casting too. Great modelers, crappy casters.

USSARCADIA · Post by **USSARCADIA** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 7:30 pm

Yes we've had our share of resin turds, then on the flip side Kip Hart's Blackbird kit was better than some styrene kits.

naoto · Post by **naoto** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 9:16 pm

... and companies like Volks is taking resin in a novel direction with lineup like the Charagumin figures:
http://www.volks.co.jp/en/charagumin/whats.html/

irishtrek · Post by **irishtrek** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 12:05 am

The only resin Pieces I've had are from the PL Batmobile which came with resin figures, the pilot from the Moebius Viper MkII and the booster pack for the deluxe edition 1999 Eagle and the booster pack almost looks like styrene, very high quality, at least to me anyway.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 12:26 am

As for glues, cyanoacrylate & epoxy are your friends. Plastic glue won't touch it.

Lt. Z0mBe · Post by **Lt. Z0mBe** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 12:31 pm

Check out this thread and I think you'll have all the information you need:

http://www.starshipmodeler.net/talk/vie ... hp?t=34290

Kenny

anduril · Post by **anduril** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 1:06 pm

Lt. Z0mBe wrote:Check out this thread and I think you'll have all the information you need:

http://www.starshipmodeler.net/talk/vie ... hp?t=34290

Kenny

Thanks! That had a little bit more information than this thread.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 3:37 pm

So... you missed that pinned thread?

anduril · Post by **anduril** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 4:12 pm

Kylwell wrote:So... you missed that pinned thread?

No I read it. I made this one because I was looking for pros and cons of both materials. I should've made that more clear.

rayra · Post by **rayra** » Fri May 12, 2017 12:49 am

Richard Baker wrote:A lot depends on who produces the kit. I have some which require a lot of work to get the pieces to fit well, others (like Atomic City/Captain Cardboard) look like styrene kits just from a different material.

Emphatically this. Be aware of or research the quality of the products of the maker. A pour mix on a two part resin product will give you no end of trouble in building and finishing it. Try to get / find images of the kit parts before you buy.

Other than that, not much different. In some ways better and more messy.