MESH AND PUTTY

Author:  Jose Luis Crespo

 Is common that who buys a scale model for the first time, runs to its house and in any corner submerges in the construction without but tools that a pair of scissors and the glue, with the own anxieties and impatience of that construct its first model... the main are always finish it, and on the finished model just the errors were analyzed, that surely will be many less in the next model.

This note exactly tries to contribute in some advice for whom begin, trying to shorten the time to finish an acceptable and detailed model. In these last years the quality of many works is surprising, is enough to compare the last models awarded in different national and foreign contests with which made ten years ago, product it of a correct and rational application of the tools, in addition of the kits improvement.

Despite the saying, in many assembled models is presented unevennesses and differences of fit that must be solved by the modeller, and consider to it:

 1) Before gluing, consults the instruction sheet with attention and prove the parts to unite.-

 2) Applies little glue in the tie points, so that not spilled on the plastic surfaces.-

 3) Sticks the pieces and hopes at least five or six hours to continue.-

 4) Once dry, sand the differences with a fine sandpaper, we recommended for it, the 1200 number, in this point is important to emphasize the flexible sandpapers, like 3M, that allow the sanding in hard accessible places.-

 5) Prepare the putty in a metallic container, diluting it with acetone in few proportions.-

 6) If exists much unevenness applies the putty on the sector that displays the depression.-

 7) Passed at least 12 hours sand it again on the surface with putty, trying to uniform the surface.-

 What putty brand is more recommendable, we cannot judge the quality of all, nevertheless there are certain brands that have a good performance, emphasizing the Tamiya and Testor putty, that undergo minimum alterations or contractions in the drying. At the moment some IPMS Alto Valle partners are applying PPG brand, of use in car painting factories, with excellent results.