Sanding Styrene Plastic...

musikman · Post by **musikman** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:14 pm

I'm in the middle of modifying my GALACTICA model to accommodate the detail set made by SMT. Part of the process includes sanding off the sparse detail already evident on the hull. A Dremel was fine for open flat spaces, but there are so many nooks and crannies on the model that it simply cannot get to.

Any suggestions on the best (and fastest) way to get to and sand down these har to reach areas?

Thanks!

Lt. Z0mBe · Post by **Lt. Z0mBe** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:45 pm

I would recommend a jewelers file set. That's one trick I use for small areas.

Another trick onezero turned me on to, is simply folding heavier-duty sandpaper upon itself to reach confined spaces. Head to Wal-Mart and pick up some 3M wet-dry sandpaper in the finest assorted grits you can find. The sheets will be big, approximately 8 1/2-inch by 11 inch sheets. One good-sized package will last for months.

Trim pieces off of the large sheets with scissors, and fold them as needed to make various flat/trianglular/rounded sanding edges to reach what you need. Voila! You've got little flexible sanding sticks. Dip them in water as you go to keep them from clogging.

I hope this helps.

Kenny

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 10:22 pm

First, a small chisel. That'll take care of the worse.

Then, Flex-i-pads & Sanding wands.

And, if worse comes to worse, carve some popsicle sticks or toothpicks and glue sandpaper to them for tiny sanding sticks.

Pat Amaral · Post by **Pat Amaral** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 2:59 am

1. Get one of those cheapie electric toothbrushes.

2. Cut the bristles flush with the surface of the little rotating part of the brush tip.

3. Trim down a small swatch of the loops part of a piece of velcro - make a circular piece about 1/4" to 3/8" in diameter and superglue it to the end of the electric toothbrush.

4. Trim down a similarly sized and shaped piece of the hooks part of the velcro and glue that to a same-size piece of your sanding material of choice.

5. Attach number 4 to number 3, et voila, instant detail sander!

When the sanding material is exhausted, cut another piece and continue.

Chacal · Post by **Chacal** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:34 am

And you can make a bunch of such "velcro sanding pads" with varied coarseness ahead of time. If you use sanding film and epoxy adhesive, the whole shebang is waterproof, and perfect for wet-sanding (you can even do it in the sink, UNDER the water, because electric toothbrushes are waterproof).

Kekker · Post by **Kekker** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 1:24 pm

Get some wood popsicle sticks. You can get them by the gross in craft stores, or just get some popsicles!

Superglue some wet/dry and you have some great sanding sticks you can cut down to size, with whatever grit you desire (or have).

I've also done this with a strip of 1/16" brass and a steel ruler - exceptional flatness and you can just take a single edge razor blade and scrape off the paper/glue when the paper gets all mushy. Reusable!

Kev

SGluedMyFingers · Post by **SGluedMyFingers** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:05 pm

I've always been fond of needle (jewlers) files. But I recently bought a set of angled needle files - just a needle file with with about a 30 degree bend at the end. They are perfect for tight spots.