Model Boat Mayhem
Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Painting, Finishing and Care. => Topic started by: timg on April 28, 2020, 10:43:24 pm
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Hi All
I normally use squadron white putty to fill gaps on plastic card and white metal fittings, but as another member has already mentioned that the quality of this product has changed. The new tube i have started to use sets like rubber which isn't very helpful.
Can anyone recommend a good filler please
Thanks
Timg
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I’m not sure if this is old stock or a re introduction of the original mix
Anyway the main difference is the shape of the screw cap. The new crap is like a toothpaste tube cap the old is much flatter shaped
I’ve yet to try this
https://www.modellingtools.co.uk/squadron-green-putty-13989-p.asp (https://www.modellingtools.co.uk/squadron-green-putty-13989-p.asp)
I must add that I don’t recognise the graphics on this so I’m more in favour of it being the new old stuff
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I've started using Deluxe Materials Perfect Plastic Putty. Works well for me. As with all these single part fillers it does seem to go off with age. I suppose the solution is to use more faster {-)
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Hi, I use car body filler, the last stuff I bought was from The Range called Auto Care. I was critical at first as the hardener and filler are both white so how do you know it is mixed? My usual choice is P38.
Then I thought well I rarely use it as white but mix a small amount of enamel paint with it to match where it is going. I now mix the small amount of colour with the hardener first and then with the filler. You can now be confident it is mixed correctly.
The paint does not seem to affect the setting of the filler and it dries hard.
Regards
Roy
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Trouble is with these air drying products is simple really as soon as you open it.......I use Dolphin Glaze it is a fine filler and as it chemically hardens it does not dry out in the tube.
Dave
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as another member has already mentioned that the quality of this product has changed.
Have you a link to that particular comment please? You got me a bit worried as Squadron is my No 1 choice as a one part "putty". Actually I hadn't noticed the packaging changed until now -it looks like the last tube I had was "new style" print layout, but still an old style cap. I'm waiting on more coming so we'll see if there's any difference with this tube -the only problem I've had with it in the past is if you use too much at once -but thats the same problem for just about any filler really.
My No 2 product (pretty equal to Squadron) is Testors Contour Putty. It's slightly thinner than Squadron. Still dries quick, hard and sands very easy.
Deluxe plastic putty: waterbased (hmm = I can't tell the difference between it and decorators caulk from BnQ). Not a fan. I think Deluxe like Apple, have a superb marketing department. Might be OK on wood or card bt not tried. Only tried one tube on plastic so far, won't bother with it again even if it's the last thing left in the drawer.
2k e.g. polyester based I don't think is comparing apples with apples. Sure for a big area, but from OP description I don't think I'd crack my bag of Dolphin Glaze or P38 open for a few small spots to fill.
Try the Testors -it's on Ebay etc and not too expensive.
Rich
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The new squadron is more a texture of snot and nothing like the original
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Andy
There's always some "snot" that dribbles out when you open a new tube of Squadron. I've just squeezed all that out before getting down to the 'good stuff'. I tend to add a drop or two of cellulose thinners to it and squidge it around a bit to soften it before applying it. I used some just yesterday and it set up very well overnight on a composite part of brass and styrene. That said, it's probably a couple of years since I bought it. The tube has a shallow white cap which isn't knurled around the edge.
DaveM
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Sorry Dave but our findings at Leeds model shop was that it’s the same all the way down
There are you tube videos of the new stuff seems it favours plastic aircraft now.
The only identifier externally is the change of screw cap
It even smells different
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This tube is over 3yrs old and still ok if I squeeze a bit out first.
This is the original screw cap. Leeds model shop refunded me on the new stuff. I suggest people buy it and draw their own conclusion but fore warned O0 As Tim said is dries rubbery :((
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Boat-bits/i-CLZX5ZP/0/3360efca/X2/1502ADBF-6F89-42C2-9C0D-6EC0C047D897-X2.jpg)
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Hi Taranis
The cap on the new tube is larger ( like a toothpaste tube) , I have emptied over half the tube and it is still has the same consistency.
I normally use the filler in the house so I have to stay away from the two part stuff,
I will try some [size=0px]Testors Contour Putty or the [/size][/size][size=0px]Deluxe Materials Perfect Plastic Putty [/size]
[/size][size=0px]Thanks for the replies [/size]
[/size][size=0px]Timg[/size]
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Yes Squadron made no announcement of any changes but it is a VERY different product now. Snot from start to finish.
I think on you tube its referred to as improved formula {-) {-) {-)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDQbqhDwfBE&t=165s
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Oof! Thanks for the YouTube link. Last minute or so says it all for me. Cleans off your fingers, so won't stick like it is supposed to either! Looks to me like they've gone down the Deluxe route. That's a big mistake! Fingers crossed when mine turns up.
I might be switching to testors from now.
Rich
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Seems that if I keep the cap on the tube then this stuff I have will see me out. Fortunately I have little need for fillers of any kind..... :P
DaveM
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I read that with an internal monologue of Alec Guinness for some reason. I've not attained that level of expertise yet.
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Hi Gents,
Is it just the green stuff or is the white stuff just as bad as I have a tube of the white for a few years now so take that's the older stuff.
Regards Howard.
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I have not tried the new green but I imagine the change is the same
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3M Acryl red or green is superior stuff for very fine filling. this is used in the motor trade for filling sanding scratches.
You can only buy it in large tubes, so it lasts a long time for a modelmaker, but it stores well, and when it does start to dry, you can decant it into a jar, mix with a little cellulose thinners.
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I read that with an internal monologue of Alec Guinness for some reason.
Yes - it was a bit Obi Wan Kenobi, wasn't it? Was the line "These aren't the droids you're looking for" or something like that?
DM
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I read that with an internal monologue of Alec Guinness for some reason.
Yes - it was a bit Obi Wan Kenobi, wasn't it? Was the line "These aren't the droids you're looking for" or something like that?
DM
...attained a level he need not bother imself with, for the rest of us mortals, we still need stuff like this.
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Yes, that was the point of the joke - hence the tongue-out smiley.
DM
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I'm very glad I read this thread. :-)) [/size] I was just about to order another tube of Squadron White. >:-o [/size] I think I'll try the Testors, although there is only one UK source on eBay.[/size]Barrie
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My Testors filler arrived Saturday- very quick delivery from Perkins. I don't think its a replacement for Squadron. It does have its uses, but it is very fine and quite runny. It will be good for the very final filling, but not for more than a scratch. Also the tube doesn't seal well - only a push on lid.
I will have to try Humbrol's filler which I gave up for Squadron because of its colour - more difficult to cover with white paint. The other alternative if Holts Knifing Putty, but again its a darker colour.
Barrie
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It sounds like they may have greatly reduced or removed totally the Toluene from the mix. It did have a VERY high content of this rather nasty stuff originally. Better for your health, worse for filling gaps?
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I ordred a tube of squadron and testors at same time. Delivery the same and the squadron turned up on Saturday.
I can only see one person selling testors also in the UK (I got my tube from EOL modelisme near Austerlitz in Paris!). Don't be put off either with the soft consisteny, and actually I doubted the cap also, but it cleans off and didn't dry out like screw tops (not that I can get back to my apartment in France to check at the moment!).
So I broke the seal on the squadron this morning to have a look -Hmm. if that's an "improved" formula I'll eat my hat. Seems to have the same ingredient (presumably) toluene as it smells the same but I admit first impressions don't seem good. Coming where it's from it lacks any basic safety info on whats inside. I've just cobbled a bt of polystyrene sheet together to test it.
Humbrol filler: I'd go for the Plasto personally.
...Unless all the mixtures have changed the past 6 months!
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I've just written up a bit of a review of the new stuff, but to be honest it's not worth posting or even editing the pics. so far. The new stuff isn't good at all. Fair to say HOPELESS so far. I've contacted the seller asking whats going on. If this truly is the new formula and they can't supply any of the proper stuff, it's left an essential hole in my box of time proven products again. Seems more and more difficult each year to get decent materials these days.
Thanks for the heads-up guys.
Rich
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I tried a water based filler (MD super filler) which you can stain but it wasn’t any good for other than a grain filler and even didn’t seem to adhere in joins between planks. Milliput did a much better job and can be smoothed off with a wet brush or spatula needing minimal sanding. Also it is supposed to be able to be drilled etc. when hard. On earlier models I have used Polyfilla fine surface filler which kept it’s integrity when dry unlike that first filler (MD) which just sanded off as dust.
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I find it incredulous that Squadron did not product test the new stuff with established modellers for appraisal before going headlong into mass production of something fit for the bin.
I've contacted the seller I linked to earlier to get confirmation that it is old stock and will let you know later today.
I did quite some time ago email squadron with my concerns and of course was ignored.
One theory is that something in the original contents became a banned ingredient but who knows
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I find it incredulous that Squadron did not product test the new stuff with established modellers for appraisal before going headlong into mass production of something fit for the bin.
I've contacted the seller I linked to earlier to get confirmation that it is old stock and will let you know later today.
I did quite some time ago email squadron with my concerns and of course was ignored.
One theory is that something in the original contents became a banned ingredient but who knows
I've just got off the phone and must report that the pictures are not the item being sold but that the product is the new stuff. He has had other people enquiring the same so clearly word is spreading.
EDIT I have suggested that he alters the listing to clarify or changes the pictures
https://www.modellingtools.co.uk/squadron-green-putty-13989-p.asp (https://www.modellingtools.co.uk/squadron-green-putty-13989-p.asp)
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When I returned the filler to Leeds Model shop I was advised by the young lad to give this a try.
I was sceptical but I guess desperate however after a few weeks I've only just been forced to give it a try.
I will give it a thumbs up :-)) I commonly used squadron on wood, acrylic paint and resin/grp parts.
This fits the bill on the first two for sure
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Boat-bits/i-CdcHwRW/0/d21bd481/X2/998B1405-2D94-4EDD-8E50-580FB85B5A54-X2.jpg)