No separate dedicated workshop is
used, but.... a table for the Works... So don't think that you need a whole
workshop to get nice model results! Any simple setting can be used!
The table is next to a window so to
get plenty of light.
The required references are also not
far away. Hundreds of books and magazines and an index/reference book is
kept and maintained to find info. And, also use the INTERNET to find lots
of information!!!!
GOOGLE
is
my favorite search engine
.
Tools
The most used tools are not that
many and strange enough I always use the same handy ones:
- the X-acto knife
- a piece of metal to cut and protect
the table
- scissors etc
- tweezers
- Olaf P-cutter to make recessed
panellines
- superglue from Eduard that does
not "fog" with moisture
All the other stuff is kept in a portable
carton box... it is a mess but lots of handy materials can be found in
here....
Spray area
Spraying is done in a separate room
near a window and plenty of ventilation. There is an ordinary kitchen air
ventilator above the workbench that sucks air and pushes it outside the
house through a flexible hose :
Airbrushes
For spraying purposes where I need
to cover large areas, a
Badger model 150
double action airbrush is used, in use for years; sometimes a new head
is purchased.
I also use a German HANSA
model 5781 fine airbrush in certain areas for fine work:
For very fine work, the Infinity
airbrush from Harder & Steenbeck is used:
Compressor
Compressed air comes from a SilAir
compressor, an excellent and very silent compressor complete with air regulator
and water trap.
3M mask
Very important
is the health protective mask, a 3M model 7002 half mask respirator
with two filters. I use it every time I airbrush even with "ventilation
on" and window open.
PAINTS
Modelling paints
used are enamels from Humbrol, Revell, XtraColour, and acrylics from Tamiya,
Revell, Valejo and Lifecolor.
It seems that
the enamel paints will not be allowed any more in the European community
countries due to their hazards and dangers of the toxic thinners.
So I am also
now trying to use acrylic "non - toxic" paints such as from :
ModelMaster
from the USA: it has also Fed.Standard FS numbers
LifeColor from
Italy: it has also Fed.Standard FS numbers
Gunze Sanyo
acryllics
JOHNSON
FUTURE / PLEDGE
For finishing
the models, usually for the acryllic clear coating udes is Johnson FUTURE
(renamed Pledge) as it is known in the USA.
Note: often
Johnson KLEAR as sold in the U.K is mentioned in the modellers world.
It is noted that Johnson Future from the USA is to be preferred as it does
not yellow in time. The Klear does a little bit so should not be used on
white surfaces! For other coloured surfaces it is fine. And I know: I have
both varnishes as used for wooden floors and have used them for many years...
The Klear becomes a little yellow after some years.
Future can also
be given less gloss effects; you can mix in acryllic Tamiya
Flat base X21 .
This acts as
a matting agent. Mix in ratios between 5 - 15% max ! The more matting agent
added, the more matt the Future becomes. Be aware of the fact that 15%
is really the maximum otherwise you get a "white" sheen over the model.
Prevent
Silvering
Tiny air bubbles trapped below applied
decals spoil the appearance of a model. The bubbles are caused by a combination
of bad decal glue and uneven under surfaces. Future
can help here! Here is how it works....
1. as usual, apply a gloss undercoat
on the model with Future (see above);
2. cut out the decal to be applied;
3. soak in water and wait a few minutes;
4. pick up the decal with fine tweezers
and turn it to its backing; have a wet glass plate ready and use this to
help handling;
5. REMOVE the decal glue with a brush
soaked in water; slide/move it onto the glass plate;
6. Add FUTURE on the back of the
decal with another brush; this will act as glue!
7. Apply prepared decal to model;
8. Carefully rub out any airbubbles
with a brush soaked in water.
9. clean the surrounding area directly
This trick will prevent air bubbles
very effectively!
Spares/
Parts
Also, the inevitable but very handy
spares box is needed; keep all stuff that you don't need from kits, get
from older kits etc. These parts can also be used for scratch building,
conversions etc...
Always, prior to the assembly of any
model, the smaller parts are given a basic coat of paint as required (black,
white etc) while still on their sprues. A lot of model sprues are than
handled at the same time, as seen below....
This saves lots of work and time
later on, instead of having to spray every set of parts for each model
separately, you will get a whole set of models to "start with".... please
note that only in smaller parts are sprayed and the interiors of bays,
cabins etc.
Nailpolish
remover
This stuff bought in department and
drug stores can be used to remove putty without sanding! With tissue dipped
into the nail polish remover you can sweep off any surplus putty. It works
excellent on eg. Tamiya putty. No sanding needed and you protect your model
surfaces from scratches.
Cleaning
up material
Sometimes, the paintjars, airbrushes
and other stuff becomes dirty no matter how well you clean up stuff everytime
you work with it. For drastic measures and clean-up, I use an UltraSonic
cleaning device one in a while. The cleaning fluid is a mix of 80%
water and 20% Tickopur R33
.
..
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