discussion Mr surfacer

[Guest]

Hi all, I have just had a new product delivered to my door..... at least new to me anyway, it is mr surface 500, 1000 and 1200. I hve used this for the first time today ever and iam NEVER EVER going back to standard filler ever again. This stuff is the dogs danglies, it goes on so well and you can paint it on too, it sands down sooooooo well my seam lines disappear before my eyes and it only took one application too. I have to say iam very, very, very, impressed and I would highly recommend this to anyone who doesn't use it this is magic filler.

scott

 

[aaron]

I've heard it's good mate, they have a new black Mr surfacer black that I want to try.

 

[Guest]

I agree. I have used Mr. Surfacer 500 a lot. I've never used, nor seemingly needed to use, the other grades. If it gets thick in the bottle, add Cellulose Thinners. It re-liquifies easily. Cellulose Thinners can also be used to remove small deposits on, eg, a carpet or clothes.

 

[Guest]

Yes great stuff Scott. best on bare plastic. Put it on not well cured acrylics and it will take all the paint off.

Best to put on in thin layers. It dries enough to put on another layer after an hour or so.

Great advantage is it is more or less the same hardness as the plastic and wet and dries to a perfectly smooth transition where the edge meets the plastic.

On some things I use Vallejo Plastic Filler for instance those pot holes in the plastic. It dries quickly but does not provide a really smooth finish. Experimented with rubbing down the Vallejo and then put a couple of layers of 500 on top. Works well.

Laurie

 

[tanktrack]

I use all three and the coarsest 1 can be used on turrets for texture

 

[Guest]

Can someone give me a good supplier of cellulose thinners that will deliver to the good old US of A?

Ray

 

[Dave W]

Can someone give me a good supplier of cellulose thinners that will deliver to the good old US of A?Ray

I believe it's called 'Laquer Thinners' in your part of the world Ray.

 

[Guest]

I agree. I have used Mr. Surfacer 500 a lot. I've never used, nor seemingly needed to use, the other grades. If it gets thick in the bottle, add Cellulose Thinners. It re-liquifies easily. Cellulose Thinners can also be used to remove small deposits on, eg, a carpet or clothes.

Pour some 1000 or 1200 into the 500 Steve. That brings it back to life. Just a thought does the cellulose not etch the plastic ?

 

[stona]

I believe it's called 'Laquer Thinners' in your part of the world Ray.

Hi Ray. Dave is correct. It is and is available here from what we call DIY stores, Home Depot type stores on your side of the pond.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Guest]

Pour some 1000 or 1200 into the 500 Steve. That brings it back to life. Just a thought does the cellulose not etch the plastic ?

The quick answer is no Laurie - I use cellulose thinners with enamels without a problem.

 

[Guest]

Found this which gives the options.

The Mr Surfacer and Mr Hobby range of excellent fillers and metallic paints. the fillers can be cleaned off with alcohol and the paints can be buffed and burnished to give a true metal finish appearance.

Both ranges can be thinned with isopropyl alcohol or Mr Thinners and applied using an airbrush if desired.

Laurie

 

[Guest]

I had heard you could 'rehydrate' Mr Surfacer to smooth it over once it was dry, using cellulose thinners. I tried this once and not again, as cellulose thinners behave rather like liquid polystyrene cement and melt the surface. However, I discovered just the other day that isopropyl alcohol can be used to soften Mr Surfacer when it's dried. You can then use a cotton bud or whatever to smooth it - great for tight corners and small areas where you don't fancy getting in there with the wet and dry.

 

[Guest]

you can make a similar filler by using small cut bits of sprue and melting/mixing it with plas-weld or similar liquid glue. just put the sprue and glue in jar with a decent air tight cap and leave it for a day or so till its all melted. have not tried it but read it somewhere.

 

[Guest]

Sorry for the dumb question, is it OK for the Mr. Surfacer to be airbrushed straight from the bottle? Or needs to be thinned? Or can't be airbrushed at all. Thanks

 

[Gern]

The quick answer is no Laurie - I use cellulose thinners with enamels without a problem.

Patrick & Laurie

I just tried a small piece of plastic in cellulose thinners and noticed a small effect - some thin 'strings' of plastic when I rubbed it with my fingers. Maybe the cellulose affects the plastic just enough to create a bond between it and the filler material? I know Squadron putty contains toluene which dissolves plastic - possibly for the same reason?

 

[Guest]

Patrick & LaurieI just tried a small piece of plastic in cellulose thinners and noticed a small effect - some thin 'strings' of plastic when I rubbed it with my fingers. Maybe the cellulose affects the plastic just enough to create a bond between it and the filler material? I know Squadron putty contains toluene which dissolves plastic - possibly for the same reason?

Dave,

Cellulose thinners will dissolve plastic if applied neat, but when mixed with paint or something like Mr Surfacer it's fine.

In fact it's better than anything else because it chemically bonds to the plastic. Plus it dissolves the paint pigments to provide a smoother finish.

IMHO that's why so many people swear by Mr Surfacer as a primer.

 

[Guest]

Sorry for the dumb question, is it OK for the Mr. Surfacer to be airbrushed straight from the bottle? Or needs to be thinned? Or can't be airbrushed at all. Thanks

It's pretty gloopy, and also dries really quickly - you'd need to thin it before airbrushing. Personally, I don't airbrush it, but I believe others do.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info guys.

Ray

 

[Guest]

Sorry for the dumb question, is it OK for the Mr. Surfacer to be airbrushed straight from the bottle? Or needs to be thinned? Or can't be airbrushed at all. Thanks

Good question Leo. Any body have the answer. Also do they use 1000 or 1200 for airbrushing. Note I am clever and missed out 500

What do you use best as a thinner ? Is it easy to wet and dry or perhaps there is no need ? How do you prepare the plastic surface any different than normal ?

Laurie

 

[Guest]

I've airbrushed 1200 & used Mr Color self-levelling thinners (cellulose). I found it left a very smooth surface & filled any small imperfections.

I'd still be using it if I could afford it!