Can someone share with me what the best thing to thin green putty might be? Is it alcohol or thinner? I find the stuff too thick to smooth properly for my needs.
Thanks folks
Bob
I have thinned Squadron’s green putty with liquid cement or lacquer thinner. Either one works, though liquid cement offers faster drying compared to lacquer thinner.
Lacquer thinner may be quite aggressive towards the styrene in your kit, so if you use it, apply the putty in thin layers (which you should always do anyway) allow to dry and apply more if required.
I do like using Testors “pink label” liquid cement for thinning Squadron putty.
I usually thin it to a soupy consistency and apply in thin layers with a brush.
Note: NEVER apply a wet layer of solvent-based putty thicker than the plastic you are applying it to.
Toss the green putty and pick yourself up some 3M Acryl- series glazing compound. Its the best!
Hawkeye, not to be critical, but you may want to change the spelling in your above red graphic from “Squawbox” to “Squawkbox.”
[00ps]
You will also find that Bondo also works better than the hobby putties. Don’t get the two part stuff, but the glaze that comes in a tube like a tooth paste tube. Works great, sands easily, takes paint well and is a heck of a lot cheaper than Squadron Green/White, etc…
Bob
Outstanding information…thanks everyone! I’ll try all suggestions as I keep trying to improve my skills.
Ditto Bondo Red Glazing Putty… Thin it with Testor’s Liquid Cement. Testor’s White (don’t care what y’all say, it works fine in many applications) Contour Putty thins with rubbing alcohol and is great for filling near clear parts like canopies, no danger of fumes fogging them…
Also, echoing: The “two-part” putties are NOT putties at all… They’re “Body Fillers” (Read the Labels) for automotive applications, meant to go on steel… It eats styrene, generates heat while it cures, and will deform, if not destroy, your model…
Another thing about putty… Sanding is best done with water and wet-or-dry sandpaper ( the black kind) or sanding films… The water allows for smooth cuts, allows the sanding film or sandpaper to clean itself, and reduces sand-scratches (which require what? MORE filling… Vicious circle)… If you can, always wet-sand…