Humbrol Model Filler

[Guest]

Hi guys, a question:

In the past I've used a number of fillers for models, ie multipurpose (decorators) filler, super-glue & talc, correction fluid, miliput etc and now have evolved and bought "real" modelling filler, ie Humbrol Model Filler. My question(s) is:

Is this any good?

The models I have got, are a mixture of styrene, (as our friends across the pond call it .... plastic to me) vinyl, white metal and resin; quite a mix.

Just wondering your opinion of Humbrols filler. I know a lot of manufacturers make their own version, such as Tamiya and Revell, Does it compare well with these and other similar products?

Thanx

Ian

[Guest]

For my part Ian not found one much better than the other. Do not like using any if possible of the Humbrol type tube fillers.

Gaps if unavoidable, bigger ones, I try to fill with sprue or plastic card fitted into position with poly cement which gives a good bond. Then I use Mr Surfacer 500 for slight gaps left. If bigger then I resort to Humbrol or one of the other 150 fillers in my filler drawer. For small difficult gaps I use Vallejo putty which is a thin paste really. I wipe this in with a wet finger or damp rag which give a near no need for sanding.

Laurie

[Ian M]

use the Humbrol filler and I'm happy with it. Some say it shrinks back but I have not had that happen. For fine cracks I thin it down with cellulose thinners and paint it on with a brush. Two things to watch for; the thinners make it hot and if you thin it to much the plastic WILL melt. To little thinners and it will dry on the brush before you can apply it!

Tried the squadron stuff and found that it crumbles away as I sanded it.

Milliput is an excellent filler and can also be used to make small parts from, Bed rolls, tarps and the like.

Ian M

[yak face]

As Ian says the Humbrol filler is fine , it wet sands to a lovely smooth finish , as does squadron green but it is softer and can sometimes crumble if near an exposed edge. Milliput is very useful but be careful how you use it - if its put on too thick it can be a real pain to sand off as it goes ROCK hard! ask me how i know this! (see my thread http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/being-bashed-italeri-1-72-tupolev-tu22-blinder.14301/ ) I used it on my Tu22 blinder chop job on the engine joints and had to dry file it with a coarse woodworking file to get it down !! cheers tony

[Ian M]

A quick tip re milliput. Work it while its wet. Dont sand it though until dry.

For bad wing roots and gaps that need a strong fix/fill due to flexing and the like, you can even use it to stick the wing on with!!! The trick is that it gets sticky when wet nut you can also wipe it off with a wet/damp cloth. Typically a wing root I roll a thin strand, lay it onto the gap and work it down into the join. once its filled I wet a cotton bud and wipe off the surplus. filled and smoothed in one go!! If you want to roll it into sheets just use talcum powder to stop it sticking to every thing.

Ian M