Clay or Putty for modelling body kit

So I decided on adding a body kit to my model. I was wondering if I can use clay instead of putty? Are they similar material? I was thinking of using this air dry clay. What are your opinions? I dont have the budge to buy a resin cast and a mold. ><"

Well you could use clay but I doubt it is the best option, For starters, clay won't bond to the plastic and will take way too long to fully harden (unless you use a kiln :lol:). Rather get hold of some two part epoxy putty. Polyester automotive filler will do if cash is scarse. The hobby ones are better but not that different.

As Phil says, a 2=part epoxy putty like Milliput of Tamiya will be your best bet. Remember not to try and do ti all in one go with a big blob of putty wich will take a long time to fuly dry.Build it up in with thinner leyers.

Also, if you are making large modifications it is better to build up the basic structire with styrene and then finish off with the putty. This way you can change larger pieces faster by ruducing time waiting for putty to dry.

For some very useful ideas and inspiration, check out hirofkd's threads. He frequentlu does amazing scratch building and you will pick up a lot of usefull ideas.

A few years back a modeler at a show claimed he used clay to mold the aero parts for a Fujimi BMW 5-series he did. He smoothed out the clay and then used it in forming a mold for resin which he then cast.

I have never tried it myself, but just last year I watched a program in which Chip Foose and some automotive folks used the clay on a car to sculpt an aero kit. They then used the clay as a buck to make the actual fiberglass pieces.

Gerry

:wink: hello,

I'm sorry Phil and Steve but I disagree with you ! :grinno:
see my Mini WIP, I think it prooves that clay is a good way, too.
moreover it's far cheaper than putty for so much surface and thickness.

I think that putty is stronger than clay, but It dries as qucik as putty, and it bonds to the plastic !
especially for a boy kit work, I prefer clay, easier to work with, I use finishing putty, Uh... so only for finishing ! :evillol:

As Steve said, with a plasic card structure it would be better, but this structure precisely makes the clay work possible.

well, it's my process and my opinion, but I really think clay is a good cheap solution, especially for newbie in the process.

by clay I mean clay hardening in air like we can find some in art stores.
(I think that clay is the english word for two french ones, clay = terra cotta or clay = modelling clay as like for children - then please notice I don't talk about clay like terra cotta but modelling clay, closer to plaster work than kitchen utensils creating work - hope it better lighten my point of view about the subject)

Phil

I'm sorry Phil and Steve but I disagree with you ! :grinno:
Ca, c'est interdit ca!!!! ;) :lol:

I'm glad it works so well for you :thumbsup:

Is this kind of clay really that much cheaper than Milliput, for example?

Ca, c'est interdit ca!!!! ;) :lol:

I'm glad it works so well for you :thumbsup:

Is this kind of clay really that much cheaper than Milliput, for example?

oops... i'm confused because I won't be able to answer in your language, even with a good translator !! :naughty: :evillol:

Well, I really think it's far cheaper.
I paid 5,90 euros for a kilogramm of modelling clay hardening in the air, but paid 6,90 euros for Tamiya putty (20 gr ???)

Of course Putty is a working solution, especially with 2 components putty, but this clay is really usefull, because it could work in plastering body kit as in modelling form (Exhaust, Calipers, etc)
I even use it for figurines to make some Wolf skins :grinyes:
once more, the only real problem is that it is weaker than Putty once dry


Phil

Automotive body filler (aka, polyester putty) is relatively easy to find, cheap, hardens in a few minutes and can be sanded and smoothed like plastic. The only drawback is the strong smell.

wow thanks for all of your opinions. I really wanted to use clay because it does not have any vapour. Cause I work in the basement and my furnance is right beside me, but of course I dont spray paint beside a fernance LOL that would be suicide.