Finding gems in my loft.

[7SidesofChrome]

I recently visited the MCM comic con in Birmingham and had a great time seeing all the Cosplay characters and the various stalls. I saw many different model kits and it reminded me that I had quite a few in my loft . The following day I got them down and realised that I had a mixture of plastic and resin kits that were yet to be started and two that were not finished. My favourite models were from Alien and the Terminator and going to ComicCon has given me the push to finish the uncompleted kits and perhaps start the others. I have 3 Halcyon Alien models one of which is half done and two more complete in their boxes. I have a Terminator Exoskeleton bust by Phantom, I have tried to find out about this company with no luck. My other resin models are all Alien and will keep me busy for quite some time.

This time around rather painting with a brush I am looking to use air brush although I will have to research them before buying.

No doubt many of you are experienced model makers, if that's the right term, and I would be happy to receive any advice for novice people like myself. I have tried and failed to find a Nostromo kit .

[spruecutter96]

Hello.

If any of your kits are "hollow" vinyl mouldings, I would really recommend that you fill the insides with modelling clay / Milliputt (a very useful, two part epoxy filler) or a similar product. The reason for this is that vinyl kits have a nasty habit of collapsing in on themselves a few years after they're built. I have been told that this is due to a reaction between the paint and the vinyl, but I don't know if this is true or not.

With the resin kits, you will need to prime the kits with a base primer, as enamels and acrylic paints do not stick to bare resin surfaces all that well. There is a aerosol car primer sold in Poundland and other similar shops which works pretty well, in my experience. Give the primer at least 24 hours (if not longer) to cure before applying any paint.

The whole subject of airbrushing is a complete area all of its own., I would look at the airbrushing tutorials on Youtube - some are much more informative than others, but there are some really good ones floating around.

Hope this is of some help to you.

Cheers.

Chris.

[Julien]

Chris, I would say that this is not my experience with hollow kits, mine are painted mainly with humbrol and stuck together with epoxy glue. They are still holding up a couple of years later, best to keep them out of the sun though;

Just a couple of mine;

JUlien

[banzaiduke]

Fill the hollow legs with plaster of paris for the added strength needed,nice and easy.But that is all i can add im afraid!

[stan]

Vinyl kits i fill legs with stonecast plaster usually up to waist ,gives the figure a nice weight

and you get no crumpling bits that rattle years later.

Stonecast or any sort of plaster generates heat but not enough to deform the vinyl.

I get Stonecast from Amazon

I always use super glue on both vinyl and resin.

The state that some vinyls come in due to recasting leave a lot to be desired so have a hairdryer or

boiling water to hand.

Prime with car primer so you have a good base.

Would not use enamels as a rule as i have certainly had issues with them not drying properly although it may be the type of vinyl that manufacturers use.

I have a Sevans Captain Scarlet that`s still tacky after 20 years.

Resin just give it a good wash and scrub in hot soapy water before you prime.

Vinyl kits may be making a come back as Morbuis have produced there first vinyl kit

Krypto Supermans dog.

[oldmodeler]

Halcyon did a Nostromo in blow-mould vinyl, it was about 1/400th and not very sharp, as it was vinyl. It was too expensive for me to buy then.

There may be a few around, you never know. 

 

http://www.timeless-hobbies.com/alienaliens.html.  $275

 

 

Edited February 3, 2017 by oldmodeler
added URL