Tamiya Epoxy Putty help!

[turbos86]

I'm redoing my Initial D FD3S front bumper because it doesn't look right(Thanks alot Fujimi!) I've cut out the lower grill and put Regular Tamiya Putty to shape it. Here is the problem, when I sand it, the putty starts falling apart (I know I shouldn't use this type of putty, should of use the one in the picture) SO now, I have to redo it all over again with Tamiya Proxy Putty (Right kind this time I hope) but I have no idea how to use it =P And how the heck do i smooth it (with what tool? not fingers..i know i know)

[Jay!]

As you may have seen already, pkw1 is our resident putty master. I will be doing some sculpting modifications sooner or later, but haven't started yet.

[pkw1]

ok, for the regular putty, it still works great, just takes more time and effort.. since it's a paste like putty, it is very soft and brittle after it drys, so you must use finner sand paper and use care when sanding. results look great and "almost" ready to be primed.. but I'd strongly suggest spraying a light coat of grey primer over the entire model just so you can tell where all the uneven spots are and all the holes,cracks, etc etc are... then fill those with either regular putty again, or use Mr. Surface liquid putty.

as for the EPOXY putty, it's not all that hard to use, it comes with picture instructions on how to use them .. (the box comes with two different color strips of putty,

1- sand areas of your model(were putty are to be applied) down with coarse sandpaper to roughen up the surface

2- cut out a strip of both colors of equal length (of desire amount to wok with)

3- wet your fingers a bit then mix them two putty together until they appear to be in one color only. (note.. this do get sticky)

4- take the mixed well putty, and mold them in with your hands (YES.. your hands.. this works best)

5- wetting your fingers during the entire time, and try to hand mold the putty into a rough form of the body kit (you can use wet rulers and similar objects like popsical sticks to help you get straight edges).. note: this will not end up looking pretty good and straight yet.. don't worry

6- let dry for 5-6 hrs then cut/carve edges to more desire shape and to get straighter lines

7- let dry for an additinoal 6 hrs after then you may start sanding to get better shape

8- after sanding, you'll notice that it's still not 100% straight and smooth, this is when you try to fix it with regular paste putty and MR. SURFACE liquid putty

you may wish to make parts from scratch with the EPOXY PUTTY as well.. such as rims and spoilers.. they work great.

good luck

[turbos86]

Thank you pkw1

I totally understand your instruction. All I need now is to get the putty.

[Jay!]

Dude! Nice write up! I'm gonna get some epoxy putty tomorrow.

[pkw1]

hope you have fun

[liang]

this should be under labeled putty faq!

good stuff pkw.

Im eager to start my own mods.

[Jay!]

Originally posted by liang
this should be under labeled putty faq!

It has been added as a link in the putty section of the FAQ.

[thizishkenny]

When you mold the body kit are you supposed to make it the same shape as the stock kit on the car without touching the putty onto the car?

[TheSyndicate]

Little tip: This stuff works great on kits that have "unofficial body kits" where its just a reissue of a previous kit with plastic body mods. A lot of times the bumpers might be molded a bit flimsy and conventional glue wont stick it. The epoxy putty has a very sticky surface that will later on bond the two parts. A little goes a long way.

[hirofkd]

Originally posted by thizishkenny
When you mold the body kit are you supposed to make it the same shape as the stock kit on the car without touching the putty onto the car?

Usually, body kit is built on the body, not separately. Epoxy doesn't grab smooth plastic, so when using it to make a body kit, it's recommended to use a coarse sand paper such as 180 or 240 grit and sand the contact surface. Or, build a body kit on the smooth body, insert a blade to remove the body kit, after it's hardened, then use super glue or epoxy glue to glue it back to secure the bond, so that the body kit doesn't fall off.

[YaWnZ!!]

Erm,if let's say i wanna make a mod the original one..like say..fujimi's integra..you see, the whole bumper is stuck to the body..and i want to make mods to it..so which putty do i use? basic or epoxy, and what do i do with it afterwards? do i just add it to the body?

[Integra06]

It depends on what kind of mods your trying to do. Major mods usually require epoxy putty, minor mods usually use basic putty. The kind of putty you use isn't a matter of whether the piece is on the body already or not, it's a matter of the kind of mods you want to do.

[jibbijib]

Where would one be able to buy these putties? I'm unfortunate enough to not be near any good hobby shops. Im planning on doing a 180 sx model with an s15 silvia front end conversion. Very popular on real cars. I will be needing help on figuring out stuff, but first I need to get all the parts I need. Would any one help?

[boostspike]

Originally Posted by jibbijib

Where would one be able to buy these putties? I'm unfortunate enough to not be near any good hobby shops. ?

well, basically any good online shops should carry both putty. (i ordered mine from Towerhobbies).. if not try Ebay...

good luck

RL