Resin & Vinyl Hints

To assist you in getting the best from your model, here are a few tips on it to help you out.

• Read the instructions at least three times. Yes, even more advanced modellers should read the instructions. Learn to understand them. Make notes.
• WARNING - Resin is a highly toxic material and the dust should never be inhaled - wear a good quality dust mask when cutting or sanding resin - always try to wet-sand resin to minimize dust. Wash hands thoroughly afterwards - keep resin and resin dust away from children and house pets.
• Cut any excess resin/vinyl off with a sharp knife, razor saw or scissors (vinyl only). Heating the vinyl parts in hot water or with a hair drier will make them soft and easier to cut.
• Test fit each part and trim or heat if necessary to achieve a good fit.
• Use good quality thick superglue like Hotstuff Super T (yellow bottle).
• Fill small gaps with normal putty. Fill big gaps with epoxy putty like Milliput.
• It's a good idea to wash the model with warm soapy water before priming it with a surface primer. Tamiya, Plasticote and Humbrol make good spray primers.
• Use only acrylic paint like Tamiya for vinyl kits. However, once the models is primed you should be able to use whatever you prefer... but test first!!!
• Large areas are best painted with an airbrush or compatible spray paint... but test first!!!
• When brush painting is necessary stir the paint thoroughly, don't just shake it. Don't use the paint straight from the jar, transfer it onto a palette and brush it from there. Add some paint thinner to the palette if the paint is straight from the jar or if it is too thick. Two light coats are better than one heavy one.
• To add realism to your model you may like to try these two techniques.
  1. "Dry-brushing" - Put some light coloured paint (this works best with enamel or oil paints) on a soft brush, wipe it off on a dry cloth or rag. The (now dry) brush can be lightly brushed over the raised surfaces of the model to highlight detail.
  2. "Dark washing" - Mix 5% black and 95% thinner (this also works best with enamel or oil paints) and brush it over detailed areas on the model. Blot off excess with a tissue or a rag. This will add shadows around details.

Read magazines like "Amazing Figure Modeler" and "Modeler Resource" etc for detailed information... or just ask us.