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Post by Whiterook on Feb 15, 2023 22:29:51 GMT -5
Here’s a neat method I saw on another forum today. Using a product called Mr. Surfacer 500 can be used for casting texture on a tank turret, mantlet, hiding seams between turret halves, and so on. The modeler I saw using it mentioned that his bottle of Mr Surfacer 500 was a few years old, so it went on a bit thicker than he liked; followed up by dipping a brush in acetone and applied to it smoothed it out. Here’s an example of what it looks like…  Thats pretty cool! I’ve seen this look before, but never knew how it was achieved. |
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Post by mikeh on Feb 16, 2023 23:11:51 GMT -5
I will need to look into some of that.
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Post by Whiterook on Feb 17, 2023 9:26:22 GMT -5
I will need to look into some of that. …I have to admit, I was kinda blown away by this product and the use of it to make that mottled look to metal; that rough casting appearance. I’ve seen it molded into parts of kits from the manufacturing process, but I’ve never seen it done (or explained) by a model builder. I’m intrigued, to say the least! I’m slightly intimidated by the process too, to be honest…once you start melting plastic surfaces, there no going back! |
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Post by mikeh on Feb 17, 2023 13:45:03 GMT -5
I will need to look into some of that. I’m slightly intimidated by the process too, to be honest…once you start melting plastic surfaces, there no going back! After my post last night I was wondering if that's what it did to the plastic, that and using acetone to smooth it out. Certainly a process I would need to do outdoors in a stiff breeze!  |
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Post by Whiterook on Feb 17, 2023 14:39:06 GMT -5
I’m slightly intimidated by the process too, to be honest…once you start melting plastic surfaces, there no going back! After my post last night I was wondering if that's what it did to the plastic, that and using acetone to smooth it out. Certainly a process I would need to do outdoors in a stiff breeze! …well, I’m assuming that’s what it does, based on the mottling shown. I recall several documentaries on Sherman production at factories for instance, where the casting of parts of the tank looked so rough…looked similar to what this method seems to do. |
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Post by chromdome35 on Feb 19, 2023 11:28:00 GMT -5
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Post by mikeh on Feb 19, 2023 14:22:02 GMT -5
Wow! Really sharp looking Sherman you have there. Whats the problem with the decals? Even after all my years of building I still find putting on decals a hair raising experience and the step I dislike the most.
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Post by chromdome35 on Feb 19, 2023 14:25:17 GMT -5
Wow! Really sharp looking Sherman you have there. Whats the problem with the decals? Even after all my years of building I still find putting on decals a hair raising experience and the step I dislike the most. Well while I was working on the decals on the other side, one of the others moved slightly after I placed it. I didn't realize it and had to remove it which caused screwed up the paint so I ended up having to repaint one side of the turret. Fun times. |
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Post by Whiterook on Feb 19, 2023 19:17:25 GMT -5
Wow! Really sharp looking Sherman you have there. Whats the problem with the decals? Even after all my years of building I still find putting on decals a hair raising experience and the step I dislike the most. Well while I was working on the decals on the other side, one of the others moved slightly after I placed it. I didn't realize it and had to remove it which caused screwed up the paint so I ended up having to repaint one side of the turret. Fun times. Same thing happened to me on a Panther tank… removed it and blackened the area with a shell blast  …the model is long gone, but I remember thinking I should have dented in the shell blast. Decaling can be a chore that can go so wrong, so quick…particularly on old kits where they’ve dried considerably, which I’ve dealt with. I’ve become a huge proponent of putting down a coat of Future floor acrylic first, then the decal later… sits better and easier to use Micro Sol/Set, and prevents silvering. Win Win. |
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McCoy
Sergeant
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Post by McCoy on Mar 9, 2023 16:04:45 GMT -5
A word of advice. DO NOT USE Acetone as it's way too agressive to the plastic. No, you should use Lacquer Thinner instead. In fact if the Surfacer 500 have gone thicker in the bottle, just add some Lacquer Thinner and it revives the Surfacer 500.
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Post by Whiterook on Mar 23, 2023 16:33:22 GMT -5
A word of advice. DO NOT USE Acetone as it's way too agressive to the plastic. No, you should use Lacquer Thinner instead. In fact if the Surfacer 500 have gone thicker in the bottle, just add some Lacquer Thinner and it revives the Surfacer 500. Great tip, especially adding to revive the bottle contents! I see your point on the acetone, but I wonder if it helps with the mottling as a side effect? …still, I would think it better to add to the thicken substance I. The bottle to revive it to a more fluid state. |
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McCoy
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Post by McCoy on Mar 25, 2023 14:35:18 GMT -5
I've successfully used TETC in order to create the look of rolled plate armour in 1:72. I don't have any photo available at the moment as I need to upload it to Scalemates first and it's on another computer as well. I'll post up photos later so you can see the effect for yourself.
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…the model is long gone, but I remember thinking I should have dented in the shell blast.
