Thge rest of the modeling world may already have discovered this, but I use Nitro-Stan automotive putty instead of the ubiquitous Squadron green and white putties. Nitro-Stan is a trade name for a red nitrocellulose putty/filler that is used in autobody work to fill in minuscule faults in a sanded Bondo patch. It’s extremly fine–roughly halfway between Squadron putty and Mr. Surfacer 500 in fineness–and is very economical: I have a one-pound tube that I’ve had for years, which is roughly the equivalent of seven tubes of Squadron stuff, and as I remember it cost me about $20 at an autobody-supply store. (I don’t think you’ll find it at a normal auto-parts store, thoguh I could be wrong; it’s generally one of those for-professional-use only products.) Sands extremely easily.
Stephan
I’m using another variation of automotive putty and as you said, it inexpensive compared to other brands one and works really well.
Does this stuff air dry like Squadron?? Or does it have a hardener?
Air-dries, and if anything even more rapidly than Squadron putty.
Another name to look for is Bondo Spot Glazing putty. This too is a solvent-based putty, like the NitroStan and Squadron materials. It is a red color. It is available in most auto part supply stores (I got mine at Pep Boys, but it also available at AutoZone, O’Reilly’s, and I think the auto department at WallyWorld). It is cheaper than one of the puttys with a model logo. I think it was about 5 bucks for a large tube. It is fine grained and sands & fethers well.
Bondo also makes a 2-part catalyzed body putty, but that is the subject of another post.
I’ve been using DuPont’s automotive lacquer putty for years. The tube I currently have has been in service for about 15 years; it’s finally starting to dry out a little
All of these automotive putties are nothing more than a thickened lacquer primer; and because they are lacquer based, they have a little more “tooth” when applied to bare plastic. They do exhibit some shrinkage as they dry, so “overfilling” of deeper areas is necessary, or applying a couple layers will more often than not solve the problem.
I keep a tube of Tamiya putty in my hobby box for those “just in case” moments.
BTW, has anyone tried the new Tamiya light cureable putty?
Gip Winecoff
I have used DuPont’s Spot n Glaze laquer putty (the red) for years but apparently am going to have to find another brand - was in the automotive paint store a month or so ago and noticed someone buying a tube of it and mentioned I really liked the stuff but my current tube of the stuff would probably last another year or more before requiring replacement. Was promptly informed that they had one more tube in stock and they couldn’t get anymore because it had been discontinued. Grabbed that real quick ($14) and put in in my stash. Bummer