photoetched parts

[Guest]

excuse my newbie ignorance but ive seen numerous models utilising some stunning photoetched parts.

when my skills justify it, i'd like to try them for my morobike builds. i know of studio 27 and i think one called Top Up (or something similar)..where can i buy these prats from, is there a product list available (as there are so many bikes etc) and can somebody give me a quick run down on how to prep and use these parts??

many thanks

Si

[Ian M]

First off a Product list. As you say there are a lot of model motor bikes, there are also a lot of producers that make after market 'prats' ( as you so wonderfully typed it, well it made me laugh. I thing an all in list would be impossible. I think the thing to do will be to choose the bike you would like to build then find all the after market parts you would like.

I am not a bike builder but it must work in the same way as any thing else.

Prepping the parts? well how much time do you have. Most PE these days are nickel plated to give them a "metal" look. Some are still in brass. You can buy a chemical bath to turn the brass a black/brown colour, the idea being that you dont get a shiny bit of brass showing if the paint should chip.

99% of all PE can be primed and painted with out more than a wipe off with a degreaser. You can, with the plain brass stuff give it another chemical bath that will lightly etch the surface, Its made for preping for soldering but works fine.

To cut it you can use a rounded scalpel blade or a fine pair of snippers. Should it leave a small burr, a fine file will soon take care of that.

Many manage to fold their PE with what they have at hand, I prefer to use a tool called a hold and fold, which is made for the job. I also use Tamiya's PE pliers for longer parts.

For sticking the PE to the plastic you can use CA glue (super glue) or and acrylic glue, like Gator Grip. This gives a minuet or so before it grips, so you can move it around. The excess can be removed with water.

You might find a GOOD pair of tweezers a good investment. ;-)

Light loads of good light and good eyes.

Ian M

[Guest]

This gives a minuet or so before it grips, so you can move it around.

Great, something to tap your foot along to while the glue dries :banana:

:rofl:

[Ian M]

Better that ten minuets un-super glueing some thing that is crocked and naffing it up in the process :-P

Ian M

[Guest]

True