Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Painting, Finishing and Care. => Topic started by: justboatonic on July 01, 2019, 12:18:53 am

Title: 'Holding' small parts for airbrushing
Post by: justboatonic on July 01, 2019, 12:18:53 am: What do people use for holding multiple small parts for airbrush painting? Yes, you could use a couple of croc clips in a Helping Hand type gizmo but that effectively means you can only do 2 at a time and have to wait for them to dry before replacing with two more.
Some years ago, I think there used to be a product called Sticky sticks or something which were like cocktail sticks with a sticky end?
Anyway, when you've loads of small parts you want to airbrush, what do you use? Having grey fingers doesnt look good!
Title: Re: 'Holding' small parts for airbrushing
Post by: Peter Fitness on July 01, 2019, 01:08:46 am: I made myself a turntable from an old microwave and use double sided tape to hold small items. Even without a turntable double sided tape on some scrap wood works well too.

Peter.
Title: Re: 'Holding' small parts for airbrushing
Post by: KitS on July 01, 2019, 06:48:17 am: BluTack! :-))
Title: Re: 'Holding' small parts for airbrushing
Post by: dougal99 on July 01, 2019, 11:29:29 am: I'm with Peter, double sided tape every time. Stuck to a long piece of wood which you can manoeuvre as required. :-))
Title: Re: 'Holding' small parts for airbrushing
Post by: Bob K on July 01, 2019, 02:23:32 pm: I agree, double sided tape is ideal.

I also include a strip of masking tape which I write the part references underneath, so when paint is dry I can fold the tape over to reveal the part references.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/General/i-RtbQkff/0/58093c57/S/A%20Build%2027-S.jpg) (https://bobkiralfy.smugmug.com/General/i-RtbQkff/A)
Title: Re: 'Holding' small parts for airbrushing
Post by: justboatonic on July 02, 2019, 01:36:10 pm: A-ha! Never thought of double sided tape. Thanks all.
Title: Re: 'Holding' small parts for airbrushing
Post by: DaveM on July 02, 2019, 01:51:54 pm: Of course if you're a cheapskate like me then you can use ordinary masking tape, held sticky-side-up with a short piece of tape at each end to hold it down and tension it. I found that the adhesive on most double-sided tape is often a bit too sticky and leaves a residue on the parts - and it's a lot more expensive than the budget B&Q stuff! 8)
DaveM
Title: Re: 'Holding' small parts for airbrushing
Post by: Colin Bishop on July 02, 2019, 04:25:17 pm: I just use blue masking tape, form a loop sticky side out and then flatten it onto a flat surface. Works OK in most situations and dead cheap as Dave says.

Colin
Title: Re: 'Holding' small parts for airbrushing
Post by: Mark T on July 02, 2019, 07:10:27 pm: If you do want to use clips there are loads on Ebay. Here’s some £4.49 for 20 clips they just need attaching to a metal or wooden rod

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323650893782 (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323650893782)
Title: Re: 'Holding' small parts for airbrushing
Post by: CGAux26 on July 02, 2019, 09:31:11 pm: I too use tiny alligator clips, hung on short pieces of wire. Hang them anywhere that's convenient-a horizontal string or wire, a large can, etc.