Model Filler reccomendations?

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Rather a strange questions , but I was wonder what people on here would recommend as a filler, I'm coming to the end of my Squadron filler, but to be honest its a little grainy for my liking, I do use Mr Surfacer 500 and 1000 for small imperfections but wondered what you'd reccomend, oh and I wanted to order it from the shop on here if possible

Adrian

[Alan 45]

I use Vallejo plastic putty it's easy to use and drys quickly

[Ian M]

I must admit that I like the good old humbrol filler. Some say it crack and shrinks but never had issues. (yet).

I use that for General surface and seams. I often thin it down with cellulose thinners and brush it into scratches.

For more robust filling I use Milliput. The white for fine work and the Yellow for general work. This stuff is hard as nails when cured but can be smoothed while wet with water. You can also sculpt thinks with it!

The Vallejo putty is good as well for quick work. Again water is a good smoothing agent. I find that it can crumble if very thin areas are covered.

Ian M

[Lee W]

I use Milliput, I think it's grey and yellow...its that old it's probably gone off colour o_O I also use the Green Stuff (I think it's called that!?) for minor imperfections and small holes

Lee

[Guest]

I use Humbrol and to be honest never tried anything else (on plastic kits, wood is another story) I have to agree with with Ian not had a problem with shrinking or cracks.

[Peej]

I use Revell Plasto. Seems ok as long as you don't try to do too much at once. Sands down well and doesn't seem to shrink. Bought it a while ago before I realised there was so many different ones.

[Guest]

Adrian I use Mr Surfacer 500 for the majority of filling. If the gap is to large I fill with slithers o plastic sheets using Tamiya thin. Then build up with layers of 500.

Any small bits especially on curved surfaces I use Vallejo putty filler. I use a wet finger normally to get a smoothish finish to avoid to much sanding. Also used a wet brush to fashion the finish.

Laurie

[flyjoe180]

I use Tamiya putty. No problems with it, cleans and thins with lacquer thinners. Stinks a lot. Many have had issues with it but it's never let me down. Have heard rave reviews for Humbrol filler, just yet to actually need a replacement tube but will most likely try this next.

[yak face]

I use a combination of Squadron Green stuff , Humbrol, and Vallejo plastic putty. The squadron is ok in that it dries fairly quick and wet sands easily but as you say Adrian it can be a bit grainy and porous , sometimes requiring another coat . The humbrol I have found is a lot finer and maybe a bit harder to sand but gives a nice smooth finish and will only shrink and crack if youre putting it on really thick.Finally the Vallejo , which is more or less just Acrylic 'Painters mate' but in a tiny tube. This is different to the other two as its acrylic in formula so can be cleaned up with a wet finger/paintbrush etc. but has the disadvantage of not bonding to the plastic like the Humbrol and squadron products do ,as theyre solvent based. I find i use the Vallejo for wiping into seams that are too big but dont need filling flush ,ie. a wing or tailplane joint that is actually a panel line so still needs to be visible or such as round the bottom of canopies . hope this helps cheers tony

[colin m]

It's a good question Adrian, one I've often wondered myself. But just look at the range of responses and all of us seem happy enough with our choices. Oh, me. Well I use Vallejo for the reasons Tony mentions and squadron greenstuff for the bigger jobs. But I'm interested in this Mr surface stuff, I think I need to learn more about this...

[BarryW]

I also use the Vallejo filler but also use Mr Surfacer 500 and Mr Dissolved Putty.

The latter is excellent for its self-levelling properties.

[Guest]

I find the deluxe plastic putty works great, hardly shrinks very easy to rub down, and can use a wet finger or cotton bud on it to smooth it out / rub access away.

comes with a nozzle as well not that ever used it lol

[stona]

Milliput or my own CA glue mix (with talcum powder or baking powder) neither of which shrink like all solvent based fillers. I do sometimes use Mr White Putty for minor imperfections as well as Mr Surfacer.

Cheers

Steve

[Gern]

I find the deluxe plastic putty works great, hardly shrinks very easy to rub down, and can use a wet finger or cotton bud on it to smooth it out / rub access away.comes with a nozzle as well not that ever used it lol

I've just started using this too. It's very similar to Vallejo putty - which I also tried - until I got fed up of it drying in the nozzle of the tube!

[ATTACH]88826.IPB[/ATTACH]


The syringe allows you more control over how much and where the putty goes if you need to - and it takes two minutes to clean out with running tap water and a cotton bud!

I also use PVA for sealing small gaps between vertical surfaces. Here's a link to a video showing how:

Gern

PS That's not me in the video! I'd give my left arm up to the elbow for modelling skills like this guy!

[stona]

PVA! a good point Gern. I use it for filling very small gaps, particularly around clear parts like canopies where some solvent based fillers will cloud the part. I actually keep an old bottle which has thickened up slightly over time for this purpose.

Cheers

Steve