320 Driver

Are there any cons to using silicone as a filler? I have some leftover from a bathroom remodel and was thinking of trying it. It's paintable, and to fill in a wing body fairing, would be flexible enough not to crack under any kind of joint stress. Thoughts? I guess the only con I can think of for seam type work would be difficult in sanding.

I've been using Tamiya grey primer. Very happy so far.

Started these in the mid 90s. Never got too far. AA was spray painted with some chrome and decals were sloppily put on. Never got far with BA. Plan is to redo the AA one and make the BA into a United bird. Stripped paint with Purple Power and Goof Off. Pic #4 is the AA bird. During stripping, AA vertical stabilizer was damaged so cut a chunk out and rebuilt it with some styrene. Came out pretty well! Did a prelim prime coat and saw where to keep filling the AA fuselage before attaching wings and fully priming. Will have to rebuild lower half of nose gear ;/

Here's where we are. Stripped paint via use of Purple Power, Testors ELO, and finally Goof Off (which worked the best). Filled in the cockpit with plumbers putty, pieces of styrene, scrap plastic, super glue, squadron putty and Perfect plastic. Filled in one side of windows with Squad...other side with PPP. Lots of sanding/filling the body. Aircraft is primed with Tamiya Gray. Next steps are painting gloss block for fuselage then I guess Voodoo gray for the wings nose and fairings.

Another newbie question...so I am experimenting with PPP and Squadron and seem to find a combo of both seems to work for me. I read often about how you should soak or wash a model before priming and painting but would doing so soften and ruin the PPP filling since it's water soluble?

FWIW a $7 gallon of purple power seems to work better than anything for chrome. Dipped some models in it, and though the old paint didn't come off easily the chrome went bye-bye

You guys are awesome! Thanks. I just looked and the Lowes QuietTech compressor reduced again! Now only $149! The two I'm comparing are here: The Paasche: https://www.amazon.com/Paasche-D3000R-Compressor-Regulator-Moisture/dp/B001CJPWYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512395592&sr=8-1&keywords=paasche+compressor The Kobalt: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Quiet-Tech-4-3-Gallon-Portable-Electric-Twin-Stack-Air-Compressor/1000125721?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-ToolsAndHardware-_-CompressorsDiyAndStationary-_-1000125721:Kobalt&CAWELAID=&kpid=1000125

I'm looking at getting my first airbrush/compressor set. There's a Kobalt Quiet Tech compressor on sale at Lowe's for $179 and gets excellent reviews. The Paasche compressor I was looking at is $139 on Amazon. Is there any reason not to pay the extra 40 for a compressor that can be used for other things too (nail guns, etc) instead of one that is pretty limited to airbrushes?

What kind of putty?

Well I used plumber putty, wood glue and pieces of sprue to fill the cockpit, then epoxied it. Filled the remainder with Squadrom green putty. It's a bit of a mess now and I think I sanded with too much grit but we'll see. This model is really just to work on some techniques at this point.

So for an update, after soaking all the models in Purple Power, and doing a ton of scrubbing, I finally have what I think are workable bases to start over. I did need to use copious amounts of Goof-Off to get rid of stubborn paint and the plastic seems to have come through it unscathed. Pics later. Anyone have any suggestions on how to duplicate the flap hinges as they apparently disappeared in the paint stripping process? Also, best way to fill in the cockpit since I don't have a windshield?

Ok so I bought Purple Power today for $7 bucks at an auto store. Super clean was 13. 3 hours into the first soak with several pieces. The chrome paint on the MD-80 and 757 is pretty much all gone. The British Airways blue is now more of a teal color on the 737. None of the testors enamel painted surfaces seem to be affected yet. I used about 3/4 of the gallon to cover the pieces. Is it possible to reuse when done?

Ok so I bought Purple Power today for $7 bucks at an auto store. Super clean was 13. 3 hours into the first soak with several pieces. The chrome paint on the MD-80 and 757 is pretty much all gone. The British Airways blue is now more of a teal color on the 737. None of the testors enamel painted surfaces seem to be affected yet. I used about 3/4 of the gallon to cover the pieces. Is it possible to reuse when done?

Great info. Thanks to all of you. I'm thinking of starting with this compressor/regulator from amazon; do you guys see an issue with this that I'm missing? https://www.amazon.com/Paasche-D3000R-Compressor-Regulator-Moisture/dp/B001CJPWYM/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1511140605&sr=1-1&keywords=paasche+compressor

Don, thanks for taking the time for that post. Great info! One question - am I wasting my time with the Testors ELO?

So I've come across a few models I began as a youngster as I was cleaning out my parents' basement and have decided to take on the challenge of resurrecting them into something I can be proud of. I humbly ask the members here to perhaps help me along the way as I will have many questions about techniques and steps to take. There's admittedly a lot of work to be done, and I consider myself a brand newb to this hobby. When I built these models, I basically used masking tape, and either paint brushes or spray cans from Lowes. I had never heard of airbrushing or seam filling...so you

Where's the best place to buy Alcad? Amazon doesnt carry polished aluminum. Should I be wary of eBay?

Thanks for the replies guys. This forum is great!

Pulling my hair out trying to figure out the best value airbrush/compressor as I start getting into the hobby. Found a compressor/tank/regulator today made by Paasche for $130 and PAASCHE A/B for 80. But then there are starter kits with compressor and 3 airbrushed for like $100. Anyone have any advice? Would like to stay within $200 for the whole shebang but want something easy to use/clean and is durable. Thanks!

How did you do the bare metal finish? And what color did you use for the tail and wing/body fairing? Nice work!

Anyone here reshape a 727 nose (or any aircraft?) How on earth do you do it? I have an old airfix 727 on deck that has a weird shaped nose and I keep reading about how people reshape it but I am clueless. Thanks!

What is the best color to use for things such as the vertical stabilizer, wing/body fairings and engine cowlings on the Natural metal AA birds? Is Boeing Grey closest? Thanks!

Great replies! Thank you guys. What's the best sandpaper? 220 grit from lowes is what I've used in the past, but I'm guessing something finer would be better.

As I indicated below, I'm getting back into modeling but am completely overwhelmed as to what I need based on the reading I've been doing. Can you guys and gals help me assemble a basic starting shopping list so I can get started :) As there is no hobby store near me I will be doing this on amazon and maybe hobby lobby. I appreciate any feedback on the following things I think I need: 1) Model mat? 2) Exacto knife+blades 3) Testors glue? 4) Squadron white putty 5) Tamiya color spray 6) A starter airbrush/compressor kit 7) Masking tape - wil

Great replies. Thanks guys. Sequence 2 seems like the way to go. Standby for tons more questions! :)