discussion Dried filler

[zuludog]

I have a tube of Squadron Products 'Green Stuff' modelling filler that is drying up - it has become quite stiff/thick and difficult to squeeze out of the tube, and doesn't stick as well as it used to.
Is there any way I can soften it?

What do you think about squeezing or cutting open the tube and putting all the filler into a small jar, then stirring in some solvent?
I don't know what solvent it uses, but I would have thought that bulk liquid glue/methyl ethyl ketone would do the job, and any leftover MEK can go into the liquid glue bottle.

 

[minitnkr]

I have the same issue, question.

 

[Guest]

Try thinning a little of the putty first. When (you find a solvent) that works, you can thin the rest in a jar.

 

[Dave Ward]

I would take care mixing these things - do them outdoors & avoid inhaling any vapour.
I put my tubes of filler into a glass airtight jar - it seems to give a longer shelf life, and I know where they are!!
Dave

 

[Tim Marlow]

Seems to me that unless you can use water, the cost of the solvent is going to be close to the cost of a tube of new filler. I’d cut my losses and buy another tube….

 

[dave]

If I remember Squadron green stuff uses toluene as the solvent, or used to.

 

[yak face]

Ive done this geoff , i had a tube of green stuff and a tube of Humbrol filler that had gone a bit stiff so i cut open the tubes and scooped them into an old 10ml Tamiya paint jar . I then kept adding cellulose thinners and stirring until it was nice and runny . I use it when i only need a thin smear and it dries quick too . The brand of cellulose thinners i use is Tetrosyl , i get it from the local motor factors for about £14 for a 5 litre tin . This is also what I have always used as a liquid cement , I fill an old marmite jar and use a reeves nylon bristled brush to apply it, the cellulose not affecting the nylon bristles . It comes on handy when i want to deep clean the airbrush now and again ( remembering to take any rubber O rings out first as the cellulose will swell them ) i can take some pics tomorrow if it helps . Cheers tony