Photoetch newbie questions

Jim, You really don't need to be afraid of PE. 8-)

1.) Find a suitably-sized dowel, paintbrush handle, paint bottle, or whatever to help you form the right curvature for things such as seats, side consoles, gun barrels, etc. 2.) I use either gap-filling or slow-setting CA to assemble parts. 3.) I use either gap-filling or slow-setting CA to attach parts. I've heard (but haven't tried yet) of people using a clear-coat as an adhesive. 4.) I use enamels on mine with no probs, altho if the case is there, when I airbrush components I also use lacquers. No primer used.

I think the main reason resin is/was used for your MG parts is the finer and sharper detail you can get with resin as opposed to plastic.

HTH Don McIntyre Clarksville, TN

i've used future or dull coat to hold them on and it works fine. you can do it with fairly large flat pieces too.

plastic.

Question: I've used CA for PE parts, and I usually make a mess, so I'm interested in this future/dull coat option. How strong is the bond with future?

pretty strong. i don't use it on parts that have stress or loads, but for holding a piece on a piece, it's great. i've never had a part just fall off or break apart. funny, because i have had ca glued parts just fall off. and i've had plastic glued joints fail. try it on some parts you ned to mount. i think you'll like the hold.

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advice.

parts.

So basically you take the PE part and mate it with the main part, and then run some future along the joint using a small brush (like a 0000)?

actually i paint a bit on both surface areas to be mated, wait a minute or so for it to tack up and then join. i hold it for a couple of more and set apart to dry. simple, easy, effective. try it on some spare junk until you get the knack, use whatever brush or tool that puts it where you nee it.

Others may differ--I find it unreliable. I use it only to attach non-load-bearing PE to clear parts like canopies, or occasionally for very small external non-load-bearing items that I don't want to risk gluing flat on permanently with CA after I lose control of them on the model. At least with Future, you can dissolve the stuff without damaging the finish and try again.

In all other cases I use gap-filling CA.

Mark Schynert

damaging

Thanks guys...always interesting to learn new techniques!

It does the same thing to plastic. I don't think it harms resin, though.

No effect on resin, same with straight acetone if used as a quick wipe on cleaner. I don't what would happed if you soaked resin in either.