Do you guys who use this stuff (Parafilm M) have any tips for applying it? I can’t make it stick to anything[:(!]. I followed the instructions very carefully (stretch out 4 to 5 times it’s size, let relax for a minute) and no go. I’ve made several attempts and all it’s gotten me is frustrated. It stuck better to my fingers than my model [:D].
Any tips would be appreciated - I really want this stuff to work it seems like such a good idea.
Thanks,
Rich [8D]
A couple things to keep in mind, the Parafilm, your fingers and the model all have to be warm to the touch or it will not stick. That’s warm, not hot. Another thing, try stretching it perpendicular to what you have been trying, sometimes that’s the trick.
You have to start with just a little piece: a 1" x 0.25" piece would be fine. Stretch it so that the consistency changes. Look closely at the material of the thing while you stretch it and you will see the difference.
It starts out looking like a piece of heavey plastic bag—you want it to look almost like a piece of wet tissue paper. If the surface has any oil on it, it won’t stick. This stuff was designed to stick to pyrex lab ware, and come off without leaving a residue. As you might guess, it does not stick well to a very rough surface, or a surface with anything else on it. The surface has to be clean, smooth, and dry. Also, if you stretch it too much, it will not work. As you stretch it, you can see it change. It would help if you could give specifics as to what it is not sticking to—I’ve never had that problem! Can you post a picture of the problem?
Just a thought—how old is your Parafilm M? Also: Don’t leave it on your model any longer than you must—it becomes an absolute puppy mother to remove if you leave it on too long. This is even more true if you use enamels or lacquers.
Thanks guys. My Parafilm M is brand new. I was attempting to use it to “mask off” the underside of the horizontal stabilizers on a 1/48 aircraft. The finish on it is flat gray. I think I’ll go back to good ol’ masking tape (Tamiya).
Thanks,
Rich [8D]
You might also want to try Friskit film, which I find easier to use for some applications. Frankly, my biggest problem with Parafilm is keeping it from sticking where I don’t want it. We need to teach each other our techniques…
You can also try black vinyl electrians tape. It’s low tack, easily shapes if cut into narrow strips, and cheap (about $1US per roll).
Jesse
That’s the problem. I only use Parafilm on my canopies. I tried it on the plane itself, but it doesn’t work.
[#oops]Aw criminy, I must be getting senile[8]! I don’t know why I didn’t remember this earlier: Parafilm M does not like flat paint surfaces. You can make it stick by burnishing lightly with a dry cotton swab, but the adhesion will never be as good as on a glossy surface.
OTOH, it will not lift paint, either.