Hi Guys
I was just wondering what putty you guys like to use on your models? has anybody used the squadron green? Is it easy to sand and paint? I saw some at the LHS but didn’t pick it up.
Thanks
Jeremy
Squadron green putty can be sanded and painted. I’ve also used Testors Contour Putty for Plastic Models and Bondo Glazing & Spot Putty. It all depends on the type of material you’re working with.
Iused to use Sq. Green many years ago, I found it shrinks and requires several re-applications and costs a lot compared to others. I awitched to Bondo’s Spot and Glazing Putty, it’s very smooth and can be thinned a bit with solvents, (don’t put too much on the first layer) and it’s cheap. It’s about $5 for a huge tube that’ll last for years as long as you screw the cap back on. You can get it at any auto parts store and some hardware stores.
Nitrocelluose and Laquer based fillers are cheap, easy to use but are “old technology” and tend to shrink over time. Not worth the hassle.
Lightweight automotive “Polyester” body fillers work quite well for our model railroad applications. The Bondo Spot and Glazing putty mentioned by Model Maker is a good product as are the lightweight body fillers from 3M. Always apply in very thin layers, allow to cure before sanding, and you’ll be in good shape.
Some modelers have run across 3M Premium Body Fillers in auto supply and hardware stores, but for our purposes they would be expensive overkill. Standard lightweight fillers do the job well.
I saw a post about Bondo a year ago, and started using it with better results than Squadron White. Every time I put even a bit more Squadron in a crevice or dimple in styrene, let it dry overnight and then sanded it (400-600-1000) grit wet/dry, I always found I had to reapply to offset shrinkage. The Bondo is a one- time solution! Cedarwoodron
In my teen years and early 20s, Bondo was a car nuts best friend. That is so cool to know its still around.