Weird pattern in the plastic??

[Mechanised Dwarf]

Evening chaps and chappets I've just started the Bandai vehicle scale (mini) TIE and SF TIE and have found something I've not seen before and have no idea on how to rectify. Below there is a picture of one of the TIE wings, it has been primed and had a light coat of Vallejo paint airbrushed on. Inside the green box you can see a "tide mark" in the plastic. OK I've seen those before but they have always disappeared under the primer! All four wings have them, I even tried several coats of paint to see if it would vanish but to no avail and I'm worried about losing detail as they are only tiny models. Does anyone have an answer or am I just going to have to weather the wotsits out of the little devels??

 

Thanks for any help or ideas

 

[Andy Moore]

I've seen quite a few flow marks in Bandai plastic before, but they've always disappeared under the paint. I'd guess there may be a hairline crack in the plastic where two flows have met and not fully fused.

I can understand you not wanting to add much more paint, as the rib detail on the panels must be pretty fine. I'd suggest another light spray of paint and a wash to bring out the detail, and hopefully that would hide the mark enough for it not to be too noticeable.

I'd be very cautious of an enamel wash though, as I think it may be these flow marks that have led to the issues with Bandai plastic in the past. I know Will had some problems with cracking on his Ultraman jet, that he though may be down to flow marks.

 

Andy

[Sgt.Squarehead]

I'd be inclined to shoot the dark colour and see if it hides it at all.....Agree with Andy's comment regarding oil based washes, I've noticed parts becoming brittle after repeated exposure to oils (and my cack handed application thereof) too. 

[SleeperService]

Eek!

 

If the above don't work then I'd strip the paint off and very carefully go along the flaws with Tamiya Extra-thin. But very tiny amounts. I mean almost dry-brushing levels applied several times until it isn't drawn into the crack anymore. Too much and the plastic will start melting away.  I suspect the edges of the cold flows haven't fused and are causing a capillary effect.

 

I had a similar issue with the snow-speeder I helped my nephew with, forewarned from builds here I went gently and the glue trick worked for that. Good Luck.