Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Oh How Original on September 09, 2016, 11:06:33 am

Title: Repairing hard plastic
Post by: Oh How Original on September 09, 2016, 11:06:33 am

Right chaps, I have a repair coming up on a hard body (ABS/Styrene) and I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good filler?
I've previously used green putty and it's okay but can tend to give a slightly rough finish, even when sanded down to 2000grit.
Not sure if people on here really use styrene much, but if anyone does, can you recommend a decent filler to use?  :-))

Title: Re: Repairing hard plastic
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on September 09, 2016, 11:12:37 am

I tend to use the car body filler known as  P38 from Halfords.  It sands down smooth and cannot be noticed on plastic surfaces.

There is a finer one but I've not used it.

Hope this helps

ken

Title: Re: Repairing hard plastic
Post by: Oh How Original on September 09, 2016, 11:30:56 am

I thought about using a car body filler but wasn't sure how they'd work on a small plastic body.
Will look out for some when I'm next there :)

Title: Re: Repairing hard plastic
Post by: captain bligh on September 10, 2016, 01:30:00 pm

Drop some small pieces of styrene off cuts into liquid poly let it melt into a paste and fill.That way you glue and fill at the same time  :-)) just a thought.

Title: Re: Repairing hard plastic
Post by: Brian60 on September 10, 2016, 02:18:07 pm

The car fillers are usually based around cellulose, therefore you will find that they tend to bind to the surface of styrene because of the solvents they contain. This means you get pretty decent adhesion - as long as the base surface has been roughened first. If its shiny plastic the filler will just peel off.

Title: Re: Repairing hard plastic
Post by: Oh How Original on September 10, 2016, 05:42:16 pm

Thanks chaps... Plenty to go at now  :D