Problem with a resin bust I need help!

[Chris Kelm]

Hello everyone,
I hope I am in the correct forum for asking this question. I had purchased of 200mm bust that I was really wanting.I was happy that I got the item, but when I started to look at it a couple of weeks later I noticed the texture was somewhat off.
What I mean is normally a resin cast is nice,clean and smooth, not this one. This is the first time I had a resin figure that the texture looked more like a very fine orange peel. First thing I thought I should do is to start to sand it with very fine sandpaper. But the problem with that is,there are so many very fine details that by sanding it I would sand away most of the find detail.
I have heard that you can use lacquer thinner to try to smooth the surface,but I'm not sure about that idea.
I really like this kit and unfortunately it there had be only one left the gentleman told me. Now I have had it for awhile,a little over a year and decided to take it out and work on it and that is when I saw the problem,again. Yes I saw it shortly after I bought it and really didn't think much about it,just excited,so I put it away for a rainy day. Well the rest is history.......
I hope you guys can help me in this dilemma.

Thank you

 

[Jim]

Did you buy it from the manufacturer? If so, you should've contacted them for a replacement when you noticed the issue. Things slip by even the most honest and reputable manufacturers. Most are happy to assist you, but there are exceptions. If you bought it from a secondary seller, it's highly likely it's a recast, hence the 'orange-peel' texture, since most quality castings are pressure cast and recasters won't spend the money or time to do that as they're in it for as quick a buck as they can get. As to lacquer thinner smoothing the surface - I've never had the issue, but I don't buy out of the secondary market unless I personally inspect it first. You could try it on a hidden area or the bottom of the bust, if the texture's all over.
Maybe someone else has an idea.

 

[Chris Kelm]

Jim,
Yes it was from a secondary seller. He said he was getting out of the hobby all together.
Chris

 

[Mark Dollery]

Hi Chris, I had the same issue with a 'old' production bust before pressure casting & the like.
I airbrushed a mixture of Mr Hobby 500 surfacer mixed with laquer & then left for a few days. Then fine sand carefully over the bust & checked again. a final prime with micro filler from alcad left me with agood enough surface to rescue the bust...hope this helps...
Mark D

 

[Nap]

Hi Chris

I reckon Marks solution is a good way to go ...have you a picture perhaps ?

Nap

 

[Chris Kelm]

Mark,
Thanks for the information. Only one problem like I said in the original post,there are so many fine details to this bust,I just don't know if I can get sand paper in between the details. So what you are saying that using lacquer thinner straight will or should smooth out the orange peel effect?
Chris

 

[sippog]

First - filling rather than sanding down is probably the best way to go.

Mr Hobby Surfacer is very good but takes many layers sometimes to smooth an imperfection over because it shrinks to fit.

I've used Milliput and Plastic Putty thinned to a slurry in the past and and Gesso; Gesso comes in lots of colours and goes on well but needs to dry thoroughly and remains relatively soft - no vigorous sanding afterwards.

I've also tried artist's modelling paste for small jobs.

HTH

 

[Mark Dollery]

Mark,
Thanks for the information. Only one problem like I said in the original post,there are so many fine details to this bust,I just don't know if I can get sand paper in between the details. So what you are saying that using lacquer thinner straight will or should smooth out the orange peel effect?
Chris

Sorry Chris, I don’t think lacquer thinners would touch the resin surface, you will need to cover it over with some kind of thin filler & do the best sanding down you can...good luck & let us know how you get on...
ATB Mark