Been out of the hobby for years , getting back in , just tried puttying a figure with tamiya grey putty , not happy with it , any better suggestions? water soluable?
What exactly was the problem? I frequently use Tamaya’s putty for filling gaps. If you were trying to shape new parts, etc.,…well that’s a different story.
2 Likes
Can you describe a little more in detail on what you need to do?
1 Like
fill the cracks and seams where the main joints meet, how do you get into those very small and fine seems?
If they are very fine joints I thin out the putty with Tamiya’s Xtra-thin glue, then use an old fine brush to apply the mix into place. Don’t slop it all over!
BTW, Tamiya’s pink top air brush cleaner has the same formula as their glue, makes an excellent substitute, and is MUCH cheaper!
1 Like
you mean extra thin cement?
i was hoping for an alternative that i didnt have to smell the putty , its bad
My solution for years has been to shave off pieces of the sprue the figures came from, and stuff the shavings into the joint, then apply liquid cement. I then press it in and shape it with the tip of a blade. I think it was a bout a year ago I heard that others call this “sprue goo” although they mix it and then apply it. I prefer stuffing the shaving into the seams first. Since I’m using the same colored styrene the fix is virtually invisible.
I did it with this guy for instance, after turning his head:
Why is this better than putty? I like this method because after it cures you can easily trim it and blend it with an X-Acto without worrying about it chipping and flaking. It also doesn’t shrink.
3 Likes
Welcome to the wonderful world of chemical inhalation. None of it is good for you. 
I recommend wearing a mask whenever model building. Good room ventilation is key as well — and not just for airbrushing. Another tip: When sanding, put a damp paper towel on your workbench. This helps to cut-down on airborne dust particles as you work… keeps the area a little cleaner as well. HTH. 
—mike 
perfect putty, is odourless and water based so you can remove the excess with a damp cotton bud.
1 Like
I second Perfect Putty as one can use a toothpick to stuff it into small cracks and gaps. It’s like white toothpaste…very fine, smooth, and easy to work with and cleans up with water. I use it.
This is almost unavoidable. As described above, open some windows for ventilation. I haven’t tried Perfect Putty yet but this sounds like an odorless solution for you.
If the seems are very fine, try layering in several fine coats of your acrylic paint. Keep each brushed in layer coat thin as the paint itself or you’ll get “shrinkage”* sink holes which you’ll still have to fill again anyway.
*George Costanza
2 Likes
Took me a minute… 
1 Like
It was a good episode 
2 Likes
I was AFK for most of the day and was unable to finish my suggestions. After glueing the parts with plastic glue, and it thoroughly dries, I fill any objectional gaps with thick gap-filling CA. But don’t apply direct from the bottle; I squeeze out a couple of drops onto a surface and apply with a pin, or needle. It draws right into the gap and dries hard.
1 Like