Checking filler?

[BattleshipBob]

If there was a poll asking who has used filler, me thinks I might be bottom?

I have read that you can check you filling accuracy by brushing silver paint onto the filler??

I have never used filler on a StuG but have used it on KGV straight away lol

[Guest]

Checking filler to see if it’s filled the recess completely, you mean?

First of all, with filler from a tube, always apply a little more than necessary — it will probably shrink a bit, so if you try to get it perfectly level while it’s still wet, you will almost certainly have to do more filling after it dries. Rather, apply a bit too much and file, sand and/or scrape it down once dry.

To check if it has filled the area well enough, pretty much any paint over it will work. The trick is to apply an even coat so that both the filler and the material around it are the same colour; this can be brushed or sprayed, whatever you like. If there is still a recess, or the filler is still proud of the surface, you’ll be able to see that right away. Be sure to also paint the whole area in which you filed, sanded and scraped — files especially often leave scars in the surface that may need filling themselves, but which are not at all obvious on bare plastic.

Another way to check is to simply feel it with your fingertip and/or a fingernail: if you can feel the recess, or the filler above the rest of the surface, then it’s not filled or sanded properly yet. This is the best way to do it while you’re still actually working on getting it right. Once you think you have it, paint it to make sure.

[BattleshipBob]

Many thanks Jakko, appreciated