green stuff problems

[NIL]

hello.

i\'ve been trying to use green stuff to fill some gaps on some games workshop minis (small areas, like where an arm meets a torso, et cetera) and i\'m having a problem with the green stuff. it doesn\'t seem to spread easily, and when i wet my tool it sort of crumples...

any suggestions?
am i doing some wrong?
should i use a different kind of putty?

 

[Joek]

If you\'re filling in gaps, I\'d suggest rolling very small pieces into sausage shapes and gently \'pushing\' the putty into the gaps with just a little bit of water. A little GS goes a long way, and it shoud stay in place for you.

 

[Einion]

Personally I\'d recommend a different putty for this kind of job. That said, many people do use GS for gap-filling and can get decent results; like a lot of things related to putty use it could be just something you need to develop the right \'touch\' for.

Are you using the ribbon type or do you have two separate rolls?

Einion

 

[Aliengod3]

You might want to purchase a rubber sculpting tool. They look like a pencil with a rubber cone-like tip and it works get for sculpting and filling gaps.

As for crumpling GS I am not sure how that could be happening, GS is not brittle. Normally if you wet GS the surface becomes less adhesive until the water dries. You have a bad batch or something, that is weird.

 

[gary]

I used to use greenstuff to do the same thing but it was just to tricky for me so now I just use milliput. I find it a lot easier to work with and sand down so I would say give it a go.

 

[NIL]

Originally posted by Einion
Personally I\'d recommend a different putty for this kind of job. That said, many people do use GS for gap-filling and can get decent results; like a lot of things related to putty use it could be just something you need to develop the right \'touch\' for.

Are you using the ribbon type or do you have two separate rolls?

Einion

i have the ribbon type.
which type of putty do you prefer?
i\'m have all kinds of problems with it. I\'m looking for something softer. I only paint, and don\'t game, so wear and tear isn\'t a problem as they\'ll only be for display.

Originally posted by Aliengod3
You might want to purchase a rubber sculpting tool. They look like a pencil with a rubber cone-like tip and it works get for sculpting and filling gaps.

As for crumpling GS I am not sure how that could be happening, GS is not brittle. Normally if you wet GS the surface becomes less adhesive until the water dries. You have a bad batch or something, that is weird.

where can i get one of those tools?

yeah, when i apply the water to it with my tool, it get kind of milky and small pieces start to break off and i have to brush them away.

 

[DIablofollower]

Also try mixing in a lot more of the yellow part of the ribbon and a lot less of the blue. I do about 3 parts yellow to one part blue. It takes a bit longer to dry but the putty is also softer and easier to smooth out when your working with it.

 

[mickc22]

where the two ribbons join, cut that out and don\'t use it.
About 1mm either side of the join should do, and when you aren\'t using it store it in the freezer
You might like to try A+B or Magic Sculp from Sylmast

 

[RuneBrush]

Originally posted by NIL
yeah, when i apply the water to it with my tool, it get kind of milky and small pieces start to break off and i have to brush them away.

I think I know what you mean - you put the GS into the gap, letting a little bit go round the edge and when you add water it lifts up little waffer thin bits? I would say that\'s because you\'re

a) using too much water - its creeping under the putty and lifting it. Try either cleaning the area around where you\'re putting in the GS (knife, sandpaper, alcohol based cleaner etc) to give it better adherance; or use more GS, to give it better adherance; or use less GS, thus having less to smooth out; use lots less liquid - it shouldn\'t transfer to the mini, just stop the GS sticking to the tool; a mixture of all the above
b) thinning the GS out too much before you try and smooth it. One thing that I nearly always do if using GS to fill a gap on a model is that I try and shape it into the surrounding area. Ease it out a little at a time in small smooth motions. If its a big gap, fill it leaving a small gap, let that dry and then put in a top layer that you shape into the area around it.

Hope that helped a little. Milliput is good and if you\'re doing anything flat/armour like, then a mix of GS and Milliput I think is brilliant to use.

pete

 

[darkartminiatures]

Pro-create is a wicked putty which lets you have a seamless joins with little effort. I\'d also reccommend a rubber shaper (which someone has alreadt suggested)

 

[jdmchaos]

the rubber tool is a clay shapper.allso green stuff is fine for gap filling maybe try a little cooking oil or vaseline.when gs drys just wipe it of with some soap.procreat is great too but if you have gs use it its fine.i use both and have no issues.as for the tool google it or ebob.com sells a brand or try art sopply stores on internet.joe

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by NIL
i have the ribbon type.

In that case unless it\'s very fresh where the two colours join will have begun to set, which can leave little hard bits in the mixed putty. Generally best, as mickc22 has mentioned, to cut the centre away and discard (unless you want to retain it for rough work like bulking out bases or whatever).

Originally posted by NIL
which type of putty do you prefer?

For filling gaps like this I\'d prefer MagicSculp (MS).

Originally posted by NIL
i\'m have all kinds of problems with it. I\'m looking for something softer.

MagicSculp is significantly softer and basically easier to mix (although really fresh GS isn\'t difficult to blend). Some people think it\'s easier to work with too, but tastes do vary.

Although it\'s not ideal for this job GS is a great sculpting medium, once you get the knack of using it. Blending it with varied proportions of resin and hardener is one thing to always try - totally different stuff at 3:1 and 1:3 yellow to blue.

Originally posted by NIL
where can i get one of those tools?

Art shops or online suppliers.

Originally posted by NIL
yeah, when i apply the water to it with my tool, it get kind of milky and small pieces start to break off and i have to brush them away.

You want to just dampen putties often, not flood them with water - this is just lubrication, you\'re not usually looking to create a slurry on the surface (as you might when working with clay for example).

Einion

 

[NIL]

thank you so much everyone!

this has helped me tons!

 

[Radio]

Hmm... how can you make green stuff into a slurry... so you can paint it on, or flow it into cracks/crevices?

 

[TKNY]

Originally posted by Radio
Hmm... how can you make green stuff into a slurry... so you can paint it on, or flow it into cracks/crevices?

I don\'t think that\'s possible. Maybe with some kind of solvent, but I wouldn\'t recommend it. You can thin Miliput with water.

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by Radio
Hmm... how can you make green stuff into a slurry... so you can paint it on, or flow it into cracks/crevices?

I believe you can dissolve it to some degree (not sure if it\'s enough to make a slurry) with one or other of the enamel thinners, but IMO much better to use something that\'s watersoluble. Most of the putties that work well with water are better for filling anyway.

Einion

 

[Footoomba]

as mentioned above milliput can be thinned with water and it also comes in different grades, i use superfine white for fillin and green stuff for makin. sometimes both (just make sure one is 100% dry before using the other theyre not compatible)

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by Footoomba
...i use superfine white for fillin and green stuff for makin. sometimes both (just make sure one is 100% dry before using the other theyre not compatible)

Eh? You can blend the two together they\'re so compatible.

Einion