Green putty application?

[-Ice]

Is there some secret in putting on the green stuff? I've bought some from GW but I've always had trouble putting it on the mini -- it seems like it would rather stick to the putty knife than on the mini. Any beginner-tips appreciated!

What I'm doing so far - I'd like to put some green stuff on the gaps between the dreadnaught's arms/guns/weapons, but I can't put the green stuff on the arm, much less work it into the gap. I take equal amount of the green and blue stuff and knead/roll until I have a nice, consistent green color, roll it into a sausage and "slice" bits off as I need them.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[Chrome]

First thing you should try to get into the habit of doing when it comes to sculpting is to wet your tools. Cooking oils, water, Vaseline, spit, earwax... Anything goes and each way a tad more disgusting than the other. I'm in the habit of constantly licking my tools, which have inflicted both foul tastes and the occasional wound on my tongue. But enough about that. After a while you'll find what you feel is the most effective/comfortable method but one thing still remains the same, wet your tools!

Wet tools is the ultimate secret to smooth surfaces, non-sticking putties and generally awesome sculpting.

After that there's just as much depth to modelling as there is to painting so I'd start there and take it slow.

 

[Einion]

Is there some secret in putting on the green stuff? I've bought some from GW but I've always had trouble putting it on the mini -- it seems like it would rather stick to the putty knife than on the mini. Any beginner-tips appreciated!

Lubricate yer tools!

One thing that's not always suggested that you might want to also try is varying the proportions of blue to yellow, to reduce tackiness.

Some of the replies in this current thread might be useful but there's tons more info in the archives.

Einion

 

[-Ice]

Ok, how "wet" is wet? I tend to dip my knife in a pot of water, put this drop on my work area, draw it out a bit (so it isn't a big fat blob), then work from there. I find it prevents the green stuff from sticking to my knife as much, but I am still having trouble applying it to where I want it --- it doesn't seem to want to stick or doesn't want to get into the gap.

 

[cassar]

try a dab of super glu in the crack then force the green stuff down over it remove access the gs is a chemical set shouldnt have a problem with the glue .water and a paintbrush for smoothing details such as facial features and all those nooks and crannnies that you cant get at with a sculpt tool or sand paper. on the whole i use milliput as a rule i would collect the shavings(dust) in a shoe box lid as i work this i then use as filler with super glue just apply both then sand flat you could try that technique with plasticard dust too should work on plastic models even better as they would have the same resistance to the sand paper.

 

[Torn blue sky]

As previously mentioned, lube your tool...Hurrr.
I find vasaline or similar to be far superior to water. Just mind and give it a wash with soap after it's all set before you try to paint/undercoat it.

 

[Verm1s]

draw it out a bit (so it isn't a big fat blob), then work from there.

Good idea. In my experience too much water running over the putty is as bad or worse than having no lube at all, and even small droplets on the tool can run around the putty to the underside. What I do these days is keep a damp blister sponge in a small dish. A quick dab and a rub, and my tool's plenty moistened.

There are a few vague and subtle reasons why the GS won't stick. One that's not so vague or subtle might be that it's gone stale. I've heard people say they've got years-old GS that's perfectly good, and others say it went off in a few months (me included). For the latter camp, GW staff sticking it on a rack in a warm shop for who knows how long doesn't help matters.

Also, I know you're applying it to gaps, but how much purchase does it have? And try sticking it on in thinner layers or smaller amounts. That helps to really smear it on.