Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 20, 2014 15:29:24 GMT -5
I have found that resin paste is the solution provider for many Do IT YOURSELF replica conversions. A couple tips I have discovered and would like to share are: BONDO is the most common available filler and it is readily available, easy to work with, sands easily and of course can hold paint. It isn't particulaly strong however and when the surface scratches, the scratches are very, very apparent. There are other fillers (some made by BONDO) that have strands of fiberglass built in, that are much much stronger and darker for application. These often are identified as appropriate for MARINE application such as boats. In all cases there is the material itself which is a peanut butter like consistency and a squeaze tube hardner that serves as a catalyst to set up the material. I slop out the approximate amount I need, squeaze in a dab of the hardner and mix and blend it thoroughly until it is evenly mixed. I then slop it into place using cardboard or tape "dams" if need be to keep the material from moving or drooping too much. You have to work somewhat quickly as the chemical reaction changes the materials properties fairly quickly. Plan on applying this materials in layers. Do not mix more than you think you will need as once it starts to morph it is unusable.
If you are slopping it over gun parts that you may need to access later, create a barrier between the parts and the resin paste. I coat my gun parts in laytex from gloves and smear mold release or thick coats of car wax so the material can easily be seperated later but will conform beautifully. When slopping on the paste get it as close to your final shape as possible but don't worry too much about how it looks. Lay lots of paper beneath your work for cleanup later. Follow the instructions and be warned that this is a chemical transformation and if mixed with too much hardner does have a potential fire hazard! Follow the cautionary tips and understand these fumes can be quite toxic!
Allow the surface to harden thoroughly which will depend on outside temperature and how "hot" your blend was. Once dry you can sand and shape quite creatively. Be sure when working with this stuff that you have good ventilation and wear a mask or better still a ventillator! Expect that when you think you have done the last layer that upon sanding you'll need to do some final fill in and patching.
The products are messy, smelly and time consuming but they can produce pretty impressive results. I have done almost entire guns in resin paste such as a dozen Enfields I made, a couple Springfields and a half dozen BARS. Tweaks and cuts to existing stocks can dramatically alter their outside appearance and this material can fill in and blend those cuts.
Have fun!
If you are slopping it over gun parts that you may need to access later, create a barrier between the parts and the resin paste. I coat my gun parts in laytex from gloves and smear mold release or thick coats of car wax so the material can easily be seperated later but will conform beautifully. When slopping on the paste get it as close to your final shape as possible but don't worry too much about how it looks. Lay lots of paper beneath your work for cleanup later. Follow the instructions and be warned that this is a chemical transformation and if mixed with too much hardner does have a potential fire hazard! Follow the cautionary tips and understand these fumes can be quite toxic!
Allow the surface to harden thoroughly which will depend on outside temperature and how "hot" your blend was. Once dry you can sand and shape quite creatively. Be sure when working with this stuff that you have good ventilation and wear a mask or better still a ventillator! Expect that when you think you have done the last layer that upon sanding you'll need to do some final fill in and patching.
The products are messy, smelly and time consuming but they can produce pretty impressive results. I have done almost entire guns in resin paste such as a dozen Enfields I made, a couple Springfields and a half dozen BARS. Tweaks and cuts to existing stocks can dramatically alter their outside appearance and this material can fill in and blend those cuts.
Have fun!
