Is there any way to make clear plastic be nice and clear again after sanding out imperfections and such? I custom built some parts a very long time ago and am only finally getting back to them. (Think bug wings since it's a mecha from Dunbine)
Also, how does one patch air bubbles in vinyl? The stuff I have doesn't seem to stick >.< Tamiya basic putty is what I have. Do I need the more expensive stuff?
Clear Plastic and Vinyl Questions.
Moderators: DasPhule, Moderators
- Joseph Osborn
- Posts: 1323
- Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:22 pm
- Location: Alabamastan
- Contact:
Re: Clear Plastic and Vinyl Questions.
To restore clear parts, use progressively finer grades of superfine abrasive to polish the surface and then dip the part in Future. One of the cheapest tools to do this work is a three-grit fingernail polishing stick from the make-up aisle.RavenGundam wrote:Is there any way to make clear plastic be nice and clear again after sanding out imperfections and such? I custom built some parts a very long time ago and am only finally getting back to them. (Think bug wings since it's a mecha from Dunbine)
Also, how does one patch air bubbles in vinyl? The stuff I have doesn't seem to stick >.< Tamiya basic putty is what I have. Do I need the more expensive stuff?
You can use CA glue thickened with microballoons or talc to fill the voids in the vinyl. Gotta take it easy with the sanding because even though the filler will make the CA easier to sand, it'll still be tougher than the vinyl. Epoxy putty like Milliput of Aves will work for this purpose, too.
Hope this helps
<i>Fireball Modelworks</i>
-
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:55 pm
-
- Posts: 3159
- Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2002 5:32 pm
- Location: Fuschal; the promised land.
My experience with superglue and microbaloons/talc has been that it solidifies quite rigid. With Microballons the result is tough as nails, and difficult to sand. Talc is better, but still a lot tougher and more rigid than the vinyl would be, and that could create some difficulty during sanding.
Sculptable fillers (like epoxy putty) IMO are much preferreable to fillers that require sanding when working with vinyl. Aves is good. Superglue-and-talc does have much better adhesion than any of the epoxy putties I've used though, meaning there's less risk of it cracking off the vinyl.
I've never tried Green Stuff, but I understand it cures slightly flexible, which could be a big advantage with a vinyl kit.
Sculptable fillers (like epoxy putty) IMO are much preferreable to fillers that require sanding when working with vinyl. Aves is good. Superglue-and-talc does have much better adhesion than any of the epoxy putties I've used though, meaning there's less risk of it cracking off the vinyl.
I've never tried Green Stuff, but I understand it cures slightly flexible, which could be a big advantage with a vinyl kit.
"Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought. It always defeats order, because it is better organized."
-Ly Tin Wheedle
-Ly Tin Wheedle