help with smoothing/shaping putty

[godfather]

I am finding that I have to be very forceful with my (wet) brush to smooth aves magic sculpt. I let the putty set for about 20-30min. I am not sure how wet my brush should be or even what type of brush (rigid, soft?). iI also find that I apply putty to a resin figure and one side will stick but when I try and smooth the other side it doesn't stick to the figure I sculpted an "arm bracelet" I know there is a real word for this but can't think of it now Suggestions for making the shaping, smoothing of putty any easier?

 

[Roy]

Hello Bruno, I can only comment on MS as I use it a fair bit...you sound like your having problems with it being too firm and that's making it difficult to shape. Try warming the hardener and resin a little before you mix it as it will soften it up a fair bit..this will also give it a bit more stick to adhere to the surface better. Try also working it within a few minutes of mixing, it will be harder to handle until you get accustomed to it, but the softer consistency will allow you to work it much easier with a smooth tool or brush. You can use any types of brushes as long as you bear in mind they need to be cleaned really thoroughly immedeately after use. I mostly use a size 2 & 4 synthetic filbert and a size 0 and 00 sable for smaller stuff. Only wet the brush as much as you need to help it across the surface without sticking and pulling on your freshly applied putty. If you do most of the shaping with smooth tools you can smooth out your details with the moist brushes...experimentation is the key...

I'd be interested to see how you get on...

All the best....Roy.

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by godfather+Nov 16 2005, 08:36 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (godfather @ Nov 16 2005, 08:36 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>I am finding that I have to be very forceful with my (wet) brush to smooth aves magic sculpt.[/b]

Apoxie Sculpt If my single batch is anything to go on it is quite a bit softer than MagicSculp naturally so I'm not sure what the problem is but a simple solution - don't use a wet brush to smooth it! Use smooth tools and you should end up with smooth putty.

I use a brush only occasionally for some smoothing but because many putties go a bit 'grainy' or fall apart on the surface when wet at certain points in the working period, and it's difficult to get back to a smooth surface afterwards, I've deliberately aimed to avoid the need to use a damp brush for anything for a few years now. Apart from this it's usually much more accurate to shape using various sculpting tools than a wet brush. Like most things though this is something you have to try yourself, see what works best for you.

<!--QuoteBegin-godfather@Nov 16 2005, 08:36 AM
I also find that I apply putty to a resin figure and one side will stick but when I try and smooth the other side it doesn't stick to the figure...[/quote]Putty doesn't stick too well to a very smooth resin surface but Epoxie Sculpt is very adhesive as far as I've seen so you might just be waiting too long to begin shaping it, or you're not pressing it into the surface firmly enough to begin with.

You can very slightly roughen the surface of resin if the casting is shiny, just to give a microscopic texture for the putty to adhere. Or just switch to Kneadatite which sticks really well and one can usually finish shaping it long before the putty is hard enough to start lifting from the surface due to pressure from one side.

Einion

 

[garyjd]

Bruno, I could not have given a better answer that what has already been given. I rely on my tools, and lastly fine sandpaper and steel wool to smooth the putty for me. I very rarely use water on a brush as the means to make the putty smooth. The most important ting is be careful of using a lot of water as the build up can and often will break the putty up.~Gary

 

[poetwarrior]

Hello,

Try using isopropyl alcohol instead of water to smooth out the surface of the putty. I've used it to smooth A&B and it works pretty well. I used to use acetone (nail polish remover) to smooth Kneadatite and Squadron Green Putty with pretty good results, but with kids around I switched to A&B and alcohol. Aves is water based and I'm sure alcohol would workout great without breaking the putty down in the way water tends to.

Regards,

Dave