Keep hearing people say that you’re supposed to fill the hollow parts for like stability?
The kit I have seems to hold up fine without it, but I’m still confused over if I should do it or not…
Anyone have any help for me?
Akuma -
Sometimes the hollow cast vinyl figures can (over time) slightly deform (or sorta deflate) due to the weight of the figure itself - I’ve seen this on a couple of occasions - but it’s the exception rather than the norm.
I’ve filled the legs of figures with plaster of paris before - it helped to stabilize the figure and to help it stand up all by itself - but I’ve not often filled the hollow torso or upper legs -
Just be guided by your own judgement - if the casting feels very thin and it’s easy to “collapse” the figure, then I’d go ahead and fill the void.
If the torso and legs feel very firm and strong, I’d leave it as it is.
If the model is going to get warm at all, it might sag a little, too. I’ve stuffed newspaper into the legs and tails of a few of my Godzillas to help them keep their form, and it’s worked fine.
I made the mistake of filling the lower half of my huge Paradise Godzilla (Bio-Goji), and that thing weighs a metric ton now!
Thanks you two 
The model seems stable, but I might stuff it with something just in case…
Couldn’t hurt!
I’ve wondered how those newspapers I stuffed into those kits will stand the test of time, though. Crumble into dust?
I’ve also heard of a type of quick-hardening plastic foam that dispenses from an aerosal can. Sounds like that would be ideal to strengthen a vinyl kit from within, but it’s a product I’ve never come across.
Never heard of it…
riding piggyback on j-hulk’s idea, how about tire repair foam? would that have the kinda properties you need ? its just an idea…
Worth a try!
Does it dry hard? I don’t know anything about it.
i know! its not tire repair foam that you want, its insulative foam that i was really thinking of !
If you use expanding foam or “foam in a can”, use very little of it. It expands on a ratio of about forty to one. My father in law actually busted out a wall when he sprayed some under his bath tub.
It can and will expand the vinyl figures you are trying to protect.
Sage advice, Berny.
Sounds like it might work, though…if used carefully.
It’s called ‘Great Stuff’, and he’s right, use it sparingly–test it out on a box or something first.
There is also a two-part expanding foam. I can’t think of the manufacturer right now, but I know that you can find it in smaller quantities at http://www.publicmissiles.com or http://www.allhobbies.net (look in public missiles, misc components).
The nice thing about the epoxy is that it is a structural foam–in other words it doesn’t collapse. And you can carve and shape it as you want.
Dan