Search found 181 matches

by Rocketeer
Fri Nov 17, 2023 8:50 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: removing electrolplate from parts
Replies: 11
Views: 27332

Re: removing electrolplate from parts

ScaleCoat Paint Remover will remove the aluminum layer and the clear conductive layer under the aluminum.
by Rocketeer
Mon May 01, 2023 10:42 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Burnishing Chrome foil
Replies: 19
Views: 68396

Re: Burnishing Chrome foil

To remove it, stick a piece of masking tape on top of it and peel it off.
by Rocketeer
Wed Apr 19, 2023 5:34 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: I feel dumb asking this,but...Vinyl models,acrylic paint&oils?
Replies: 11
Views: 15929

Re: I feel dumb asking this,but...Vinyl models,acrylic paint&oils?

I wouldn't do it. I had some vinyl wings I grafted to a figure once, and I could not get oils to dry on those wings. I tried all sorts of primers, even Stynylres acrylic primer, to no avail. I finally wiped away the oils using some thinner and went with artist's acrylics with copious amounts of reta...
by Rocketeer
Fri Mar 17, 2023 4:47 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Dust! How to vanquish it?
Replies: 17
Views: 52880

Re: Dust! How to vanquish it?

I'd be a little careful when using alcohol to wipe down a model. Once when I fouled up an airbrushed acrylic paint job, I used alcohol to strip it, and it worked a treat.
by Rocketeer
Tue Oct 25, 2022 5:33 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: 3D printing pitfall?
Replies: 86
Views: 100121

Re: 3D printing pitfall?

The other day, I dug out some 3D-printed HO scale beds I'd bought some time ago for another project. To my surprise, two of them had "ruptured"--blown themselves apart just as if they were subjected to some intolerable internal pressure. There was also a slight amount of black liquid, as t...
by Rocketeer
Tue Oct 18, 2022 3:23 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Styrene cements and construction
Replies: 125
Views: 518195

Re: Re:

mike robel wrote: Sat Oct 15, 2022 6:00 pm I have not seen Ambroid or Tenax in ages.
The makers of Styrene Tack-It II claim that's it's reverse-engineered from Tenax; i.e, the same stuff. Smells about the same.
by Rocketeer
Sat Oct 08, 2022 12:14 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Styrene cements and construction
Replies: 125
Views: 518195

Re:

Wait so does this mean I'm a complete and total n00b for using Model Master Liquid Cement for Plastic Models? http://www.kitkraft.biz/files/images/d_73017.jpg I've been using CA now for about the last 10 years or so for just about everything - gluing and filling mostly - on styrene. But I've been w...
by Rocketeer
Mon Jul 11, 2022 1:19 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Looking for a (Simple) LED Flasher Circuit
Replies: 10
Views: 14089

Re: Looking for a (Simple) LED Flasher Circuit

When I needed a circuit to flash 6 LEDs one second ON, one second OFF, I contacted Evan Designs and they built one for me. Cost me about $20.
by Rocketeer
Sat Apr 02, 2022 11:58 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Diffusion via sheet styrene
Replies: 12
Views: 36184

Re: Diffusion via sheet styrene

I've used 0.005" white styrene for diffusers a number of times. I've also tried sanded clear styrene, but the glow isn't as uniform as with white.
by Rocketeer
Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:43 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: SMD floods on NX-01 - should I bother?
Replies: 4
Views: 13975

Re: SMD floods on NX-01 - should I bother?

Here is a link to a Flickr album with pictures of a tank I used SMDs from Evan Designs to light. For each light, I used the tip of a large drill bit to make a reflector-shaped hole, then set the LEDs at the bottom of the hole. I then filled the "dishes" with clear epoxy. You can see what s...
by Rocketeer
Tue Oct 20, 2020 1:16 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Blue-ing Photoetch parts.
Replies: 7
Views: 31958

Re: Blue-ing Photoetch parts.

You could try a transparent blue paint, airbrushed on. I believe GarageKit Colors USA has a transparent blue.

Or you could try oil pastels. Tamiya Weathering Masters offers a blue steel color that might be just the ticket.
by Rocketeer
Wed Sep 02, 2020 10:34 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?
Replies: 26
Views: 152695

Re: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?

Perhaps a mild acid, like white vinegar? Bleach seemed to work really well, until I discovered that it left a white residue which is being very stubborn. The Clorox website suggests using vinegar to get rid of it, but so far after several days of soaking the vinegar hasn't touched it. Whenever I sc...
by Rocketeer
Tue Sep 01, 2020 3:07 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?
Replies: 26
Views: 152695

Re: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?

MillenniumFalsehood wrote: Thu Aug 27, 2020 12:31 pm The varnish has disappeared. What I need to get rid of now is the residue left over from the crappy bleach I soaked the parts in for a week. :/
Perhaps a mild acid, like white vinegar?
by Rocketeer
Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:01 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?
Replies: 26
Views: 152695

Re: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?

It's not clear to me why anyone would mess around with improvised and less than satisfactory solutions like brake fluid, bleach, or Coke, when the ScaleCoat stuff is reasonably priced, does a better job, and is readily available from trustworthy sources like Walthers.
by Rocketeer
Sun Jul 12, 2020 1:32 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?
Replies: 26
Views: 152695

Re: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?

I always use ScaleCoat paint remover, available from model railroad sources.
by Rocketeer
Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:22 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Disaster but hope.
Replies: 5
Views: 16245

Re: Disaster but hope.

Stick with it! I tell my friends that building a model is a gradually escalating series of disasters that you have to overcome, one by one, until finally it's done and you can quit.

Surprisingly, none of them have taken up the hobby :roll: :roll: :roll:
by Rocketeer
Thu May 21, 2020 10:02 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Warped Resin kit
Replies: 9
Views: 27035

Re: Warped Resin kit

Star Base 8 wrote: Mon May 18, 2020 9:38 am Thank you guys, I think it may take a blend of both suggestions to straighten her out

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CvSfLws44Da2GPBj8
Oy, what a horror! Can you ask the supplier to send you another?
by Rocketeer
Sat Mar 28, 2020 4:10 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Pearl or Iridescent finishes to scale
Replies: 11
Views: 30447

Re: Pearl or Iridescent finishes to scale

I've had very good results with Createx Wicked Colors (not ordinary Createx, but specifically the Wicked Colors line). I used their pearl yellow for this:

Image
by Rocketeer
Mon Mar 23, 2020 3:41 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: mixing flesh from other colors
Replies: 4
Views: 21168

Re: mixing flesh from other colors

In oils, I use about 1 part Raw Sienna, 1 Part Burnt Sienna, and maybe 5 parts Permalba White. In enamels, think Afrika Corps Yellow, Rust, and White. In acrylics, I've had some success mixing Burnt Orange with White.
by Rocketeer
Thu Mar 12, 2020 4:40 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Removing 20 year old paint
Replies: 19
Views: 53584

Re: Removing 20 year old paint

I've had good results with Castrol Super Clean (now apparently "Purple Power"), but for the tough stuff I bring out the ScaleCoat Paint Remover.
by Rocketeer
Tue Feb 11, 2020 3:38 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Best clear plastic??
Replies: 17
Views: 55974

Re: Best clear plastic??

A lot of the model airplane guys use PET, I understand; never tried it myself.
by Rocketeer
Thu Jan 02, 2020 12:55 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Stripping "chrome" off model pieces
Replies: 22
Views: 100445

Re: Stripping "chrome" off model pieces

southwestforests wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2020 6:31 pm This from the model train paint suppliers takes chrome off in less than an afternoon, often in less than 30 minutes.
Is what I used to de-chrome the Pilgrim Observer parts this past summer.

Image
Agree totally. ScaleCoat is da bomb.
by Rocketeer
Tue Nov 26, 2019 3:44 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Good cloth to wipe a model down after a wash?
Replies: 3
Views: 16207

Re: Good cloth to wipe a model down after a wash?

Why not just hang it in a warm place and let it air-dry? I usually do that, and while it's hanging there I might use a piece of Kleenex to lift off any big droplets.
by Rocketeer
Thu Oct 03, 2019 12:34 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Trying to mimic "high-impact" and "rubbery" plastic used in toys
Replies: 7
Views: 25272

Re: Trying to mimic "high-impact" and "rubbery" plastic used in toys

Sounds like you might want to look into urethane rubber. I used it for molds once, and it was much stiffer than the usual silicone mold materials.
by Rocketeer
Fri Sep 06, 2019 11:35 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Source for large cylinders with round ends?
Replies: 10
Views: 32976

Re: Source for large cylinders with round ends?

DaveVan wrote: Fri Sep 06, 2019 10:23 pm Check Plastruct online catalog. Good stuff and staff.
I see that Plastruct offers ABS tubing and end caps, round and elliptical, in the sizes the OP wanted. https://plastruct.com/product-category/ ... nd-tubing/
by Rocketeer
Wed Jul 24, 2019 12:01 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Cleaning old paint bottles?
Replies: 8
Views: 28318

Re: Cleaning old paint bottles?

Get as much of the old paint out as you can. If it's tar, scrape it out. If it's a solid chunk, try chiseling off bits with an old knife blade. The less you have in the jar, the less thinner you have to use. To minimize what you use, start with one jar, wait until it's done its work, then pour into...
by Rocketeer
Sat Jun 29, 2019 11:52 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Glow-In-The-Dark paint for fiber optics /light pipes?
Replies: 8
Views: 36731

Re: Glow-In-The-Dark paint for fiber optics /light pipes?

Why not just put a little round reflecty jewel-thing in each engine, perhaps tinted with a bit of clear paint? Kylwell posted this link in another thread; these might work: http://www.suessparklers.com/mm5/mercha ... gory_Code=
by Rocketeer
Sat May 11, 2019 12:28 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Motion activated LEDs
Replies: 6
Views: 28507

Re: Motion activated LEDs

Couldn't you do this with a hidden switch? The switch would contact the display base, and be held in the depressed position by the weight of the gun; when you picked up the blaster the switch would be released and turn on the lights. I think you could do it with a microswitch or perhaps one of these...
by Rocketeer
Tue Mar 05, 2019 5:54 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Making your own photo-etched parts? How hard? How costly?
Replies: 11
Views: 38210

Re: Making your own photo-etched parts? How hard? How costly?

sbaxter wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2019 5:17 pm ...So, wait -- does the laminator simply apply pressure, or is there heat involved as well?...
The Micro-Mark laminator is heated.