tamiya basic putty help

hey, so i need to know a good way to apply tamiya's basic type putty.

i tried to use it a bit the other day, and the finish was absolutely horrible. i know it wont be perfect, but this surface is terrible.

how should i be applying this stuff?
is there a good technique to make it go on well?

normally i read the directions, but the entire tube is covered in japanense, so all i can read is the name of the product.

damn, i wish i wasnt an uncultured american:silly2:

~mike

i dont like the way tamiya basic putty finishes either. but it could be my technique too. this is what i think we should do... get rid of excess putty before it dries so that you will have less to sand off. try not to let little clumps dry up on the model or you'll be sanding forever. use something like a small spatula to apply it and to get rid of excess.


Also, it depends on what you're trying to do with it. if you're trying to smooth your model down, basic putty is good. if you're trying to build fender flares and body kits, you're better off using epozy putty. hope that helps

No matter what brand of hobby putty you use, it comes down to learning how to use a spatula. Here, I'm showing what I'm using. The top is a conventional spatula, which you can find at any art supply store. My primary tool is the second one, a dull Olfa knife, and this works for both large and small areas. The third one is an Olfa design knife for small application. Hold very small amount, and try to apply putty as thin as possible. Hobby putty like Tamiya one isn't meant for thick application. (no thicker than 1 mm, I say.)
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/599119spatulas.jpg
Also, you can thin Tamiya paint with Gunze's Mr. Thinner or compatible thinner. You can apply thinned putty with a brush evenly. While you can control the thickness with custom thinned Tamiya putty, but Gunze's Mr. Surfacer 500 is made just for this type of use.

Tamiya has some good products, but not everything they make is best out there. I like Squadron's green putty. It doen't pit and hole up like some others and it wet sands like a dream. Try some. For your putty you have now, let it dry more and wet sand GENTLY. Maybe this will work. :bandit:

aight... thanks for the help so far...

all i have tried so far is applying putty. i couldnt get the putty to apply right so i havent even got as far as sanding it down... im gonna try to use a spatula as soon as i can get my hands on one... i think that should solve most of the problem. now i just need to practice!

i also might try to look for some options on different putties to try, but i have to check the hobby shop to see what they have...

~mike

Also keep in mind that as putty dries it will shrink a little, and you have to be prepared to sand it down