tool for putty

hello all once again,
before i destroy another motorcycle kit,

what is a good tool or appropriate tool to use to spread putty over seam lines?
what is a good method of application too.

thank you all!

what is a good tool or appropriate tool to use to spread putty over seam lines?
I use a plastic spatchula (spelling :screwy: ) that came from a cheap makeup kit. We have 10nt stores here, which means every item or pack sold there is priced at 10 nt (roughly 30US cents). The spatchulas I'm talking about come in around a pack of 3 to 5. So, basically very cheap. If you can't be bothered to buy something like that, then I would suggest you make a stip of card about 1 to 1.5 cm wide...
One other thing, most of what we do in modeling has millions of tools. Just try things and stick to the ones that work for you!

Good question!!

I'd love to see a discussion of peoples' putty application techniques, as it's something that has been known to drive me crazy occasionally.

I've had some luck using an artist's pallette knife to apply putty.

http://www.jerrysartarama.com/Images/Products/JerrysProductImages/PaintBrushesAndPaletteKnives/PaletteKnivesAndCanvasScrapers/MariesPaletteKnives/MariesPaletteKnifeSet.jpg

Get one at an art supply store, they come in many shapes/sizes.

Lately, I've been using Taimya putty thinned with Tamiya (or Gunze, which works too) laquer thinner, mixing it to a usable consistency and applying it with a brush. I'm using a nasty synthetic cheapie Testors hobby brushes.

http://www2.gpmd.com/imaget/t/ttesr4701.jpg

I remember 20+ years ago trying to use them to actually apply paint to a model! :uhoh: I do not recommend this- :disappoin but I've found they're decent for properly thinned putty. They're great for Mr. Surfacer, too.

All right, everyone! How do you do it?

I'm such a barbarian compared to you MPWR. Good old popsicle stick and then I work the putty into its final spot with my fingers. Wow, what a mess. It's like fingerpainting =P

Masks off the areas to be filled. Apply putty with putty knive or toothpick
Remove masking tape. Now with a moistened Q-tip in a nail polish remover (with aceton) smooth and blend the filled areas and remove excess filler. Best results are obtained just as the filler begins to dry. The beauty is that the filler can be smoothed perfectly flush with the surrounding surfaces, without harming the plastic or raised detail. If filler gets into scribed surfaces, just remove it with a wooden toothpick, moistened in the nail polish remover. Clean up residue with a cotton cloth. Repeat if necessary.

Source: http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/ under 'tools 'n tips'.

To spread putty/filler from a tube (it smells like styrene cement) I use either of these blades depending on the shape of the piece that needs filling:
http://www.shesto.co.uk/acatalog/KN1160.JPGhttp://www.shesto.co.uk/acatalog/KN1170.JPG
I still have to blend it in with sandpaper once it has dried though.

To shape two-part Milliput (epoxy?) putty I mostly use my fingers to give it a rough shape whilst it is still wet, although I have used various shapes of knife blade on the odd occasion. I finish shaping it with a craft knife and sandpaper once it has cured.

Toothpicks for me.

A piece of plasticard cut to size with scissors and leave one edge perfectly straight.Then use as a spreader.You can fill flush with the surrounding area with ease and leave little to sand down afterwards.It also puts on the putty very thin so it dries fast.It's also very cheap as one sheet will make loads of spreaders.Also toothpicks for awkward areas and sometimes thinned putty on an old brush for seams etc.

Some great tips here I think, Im just about to start a limited edition corvette which is gonna need some putty work on the front end.

Thanks from me too guys...

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i253/dj_micro/rav4_4-1.jpg

M1CRO.

Plastic toothpicks, but I should be using something more substantial for better control.

thank guys for the guide. i used toothpicks before but it creates a mess. Do I thin the putty down, into such consistency that it flows smoothly down the seam lines? im using tamiya putty. Is that good enough or should i change to tamiya polyester putty?

I like to save my old worn out # 11 blades to use for spreading putty.

Good question!!
.

Lately, I've been using Taimya putty thinned with Tamiya (or Gunze, which works too) laquer thinner, mixing it to a usable consistency and applying it with a brush. I'm using a nasty synthetic cheapie Testors hobby brushes.

All right, everyone! How do you do it?

What consistency are you looking for when thinning?

I use different knives, also manly my fingers, such a pain to clean up though. Keep your fingers wet enough with water for 2 part putty and it goes on smoothly for me. Then just a little sanding. I need to get some sculpting tools, those will definetly due to trick.

one other question guys,
aside from modelling wax, can wax meant for autocars (real cars) be used instead? any brands recommended?