Smooth seams

[Dan Morton]

I'm looking for a product that aids in smoothly blending 2 part putties like Magic
Sculpt, Kneadatite, etc. , particularly joining two pieces of already mixed putties (resin and activator [catalyst] mixed)

I've used water, ethanol, blends of both, Vaseline, and olive oil. For the past several years I've been using a product called Vitalis, which is a mix of oil and alcohol. It works well enough but using too much softens the putty. It will harden but it forms blobs and irregularities.

So - what do you use? Good and bad points?

All the best,
Dan

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Dan
I had this discussion with Colin Fraser and he recommended one of the many propriety liquid smoothers.
FIMO do a liquid gel. I have bought a bottle but had the chance to try it out as yet.
Hope this is of some help Mate
All the best
Keith

 

[theBaron]

...For the past several years I've been using a product called Vitalis, which is a mix of oil and alcohol...

You mean, the old-timey hair tonic? I wonder if Old Spice would work, too; it's alcohol-based.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Dan Morton]

Keith - sounds promising...let me know how it works, OK?

That's the one Brad. I think what makes Vitalis useful is the alcohol : oil mix. The oil seems to slow down the putty being dissolved and it stays workable longer. But you have to be cautious. It is easy to overdo it and damage the putty. FYI Vitalis is sold by most supermarkets and Walmart.

All the best,

Dan

 

[Mongo Mel]

I like using unscented hand lotion. Smooths out my Aves without making those little putty balls I'd get using water.

 

[kidsbday7]

Nivea hand lotion. Have been tipped this by several (more than 1) pro sculptors. I am a beginner.

 

[JasonB]

To smooth Magic Sculpt, I use one thing;spit, saliva, whatever you want to call it. Either on my finger, on an old brush or a cotton swab. I guess its the warm temp and consistency, but its much better than water. And believe me, I have heard other sculptors say the same thing.

 

[valiant]

"To smooth Magic Sculpt, I use one thing;spit, saliva, whatever you want to call it. Either on my finger, on an old brush or a cotton swab. I guess its the warm temp and consistency, but its much better than water. And believe me, I have heard other sculptors say the same thing"

- Jason, when I was in the ceramics industry, we referred to it as " God's gift to the industry..!"

 

[clrsgt]

I use Jason's method with Magic Sculpt; works well.

 

[Dan Morton]

Saliva - yeah, I can see that working. Are you using nitrile rubber gloves? Keep your contaminated fingers or gloves out of your eyes.

Nivea would probably work but isn't it kinda expensive? https://www.nivea.com.au/skin-care-tips/ingredients.

All the best,
Dan

 

[JasonB]

Saliva - yeah, I can see that working. Are you using nitrile rubber gloves? Keep your contaminated fingers or gloves out of your eyes.

Nivea would probably work but isn't it kinda expensive? https://www.nivea.com.au/skin-care-tips/ingredients.

All the best,
Dan

If only I was so careful. I sometime spit directly on whatever I am working on, but most frequently, on the back of my other hand or on a scrap piece of plastic. I think on the hand keeps it warm and works best, but some may find that a bit...questionable, such as my wife. I don't do it around her anymore. If I do a lot of work, I may sometimes get a little bit of a rash on the back of my hand. I will usually clean it off from time to time and let it dry. My hand will probably fall off sometime in the future, but hey, we suffer for our art. I don't like using anything like hand lotions, anything greasy, etc, because I don't know how they will affect the finished piece (greasy? Paint issues?) and I know saliva just dries up. I generally don't worry about touching my eyes as I am wearing glasses while working, but I have caught myself from time to time licking the brush...yeah, I probably have esophageal cancer in my future as well. I mainly use cotton swabs for that reason, I just "wet" the end, smooth out whatever I am working on, then toss it. They make pointed end swabs for make up application that are really nice for tight spots and fine detail. They are quite a bit harder than your common Q-tip, but more expensive. The cashier at the drug store always gave a weird look when I would go in and buy 4-5, 100 count packs if these. I don't wear THAT much make up...