Squadron Putty ?

[D. Battista]

I inherited my late Brother-in-laws model car stuff ...and in there are 2 tubes of Squadron putty, one white and one green still in the carded package.

I have never used this product and was looking for some imput on how you guys like or don't like it. I have always just used automotive glazing putty when I need to use filler.

Thank You....

[Ace-Garageguy]

Squadron putty is nothing more or less than straight lacquer glazing putty. The white is essentially the same stuff that came in ancient AMT "Styline" customizing kits. The green is just tinted for visibility.

It dries by evaporation of the solvent, so it shrinks. A lot. You do NOT want to use it for heavy fill or sculptural work.

I personally don't recommend it for any fill work larger than this...for which it works very well.

Edited March 5, 2017 by Ace-Garageguy

[D. Battista]

 

It dries by evaporation of the solvent, so it shrinks. A lot. 

I personally don't recommend it for any fill work larger than this...and it's just fine for doing that.

 

Thanks Bill I appreciate your input and picture.

[Nacho Z]

I agree with Ace.  I use it for very small jobs.  Not very wide or very deep filling.  I have not had any problems when used like this.  I should say that I have only used the green stuff.

[Ramfins59]

I agree with Ace.  I use it for very small jobs.  Not very wide or very deep filling.  I have not had any problems when used like this.  I should say that I have only used the green stuff.

X2

[Snake45]

Same here.

The white is better than the green. Seems to be a little finer "grain." I don't agree that it's the same thing as was available in the '60s. It's better than that.

I've used a lot of both colors over the years but nowadays I use it only for filling the shallowest of scratches and depressions. There are better fillers, but sometimes this stuff is "just right" for a particular job.

[D. Battista]

 There are better fillers, but sometimes this stuff is "just right" for a particular job.

Thank You...!

Kind of what I thought.... and I appreciate every ones input...!

[redneckrigger]

For larger jobs, I use a two part glazing putty known as icing, used in the 1:1 world. But for little jobs, nicks, tiny stuff, the Squadron green and white works well. As those above have said, just be aware that it shrinks and you will get the most out of it.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I don't agree that it's the same thing as was available in the '60s. It's better than that.

I won't argue the point, as every tube of the stuff I got in a kit was either hard as a rock or had separated and was part runny goo plus a solid lump...and totally useless.

The old AMT putty sold separately smelled like lacquer putty, and I remember this vividly because the first time I ever used real-car lacquer putty in my 1:1 work ( a LONG time ago), the olfactory part of my little brain recognized the smell immediately.

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

For larger jobs, I use a two part glazing putty known as icing, used in the 1:1 world. 

I agree that USC "Icing" is the best of the real-car two-part putties, but if you want to save a few bucks and have a FinishMaster store near you, their generic brand in a similar tube is almost as good. If you want far smaller quantities that are appropriately packaged for model-car work, the Bondo brand "professional" two-part putty is available at just about every auto-parts store, in a small tube with an included tube of cream-hardener.

[AC Norton]

I use the white all the time, and never have had problem's with it, but, as stated, for small job's only. I never do heavy body work or sculpting as my build's never call for it, and that's all I can throw in....the Ace...

[redneckrigger]

I agree that USC "Icing" is the best of the real-car two-part putties, but if you want to save a few bucks and have a FinishMaster store near you, their generic brand in a similar tube is almost as good. If you want far smaller quantities that are appropriately packaged for model-car work, the Bondo brand "professional" two-part putty is available at just about every auto-parts store, in a small tube with an included tube of cream-hardener.

As I used to own a body shop, I still have lots of supplies left over. But as the icing I have left is almost gone, I will definitely seek out the brands you mentioned, Bill. THANKS!

[StevenGuthmiller]

I use the green also, mostly for small things.

I'm not sure what the technical term for it would be, but just be aware that it can "raise" the plastic surrounding it.

It's lacquer based so it will soften the plastic slightly causing it to swell a bit in the application area.

This can cause some trouble because the putty is softer than the plastic so when it's sanded the harder plastic can be swelled a bit around the perimeter of the repair & it may be almost imperceptible until later.

I've had some situations where the repair looked good after primer, but once the gloss of the paint was introduced, this phenomena became apparent.

 

Steve

[MrObsessive]

I use the green also, mostly for small things.

I'm not sure what the technical term for it would be, but just be aware that it can "raise" the plastic surrounding it.

It's lacquer based so it will soften the plastic slightly causing it to swell a bit in the application area.

This can cause some trouble because the putty is softer than the plastic so when it's sanded the harder plastic can be swelled a bit around the perimeter of the repair & it may be almost imperceptible until later.

I've had some situations where the repair looked good after primer, but once the gloss of the paint was introduced, this phenomena became apparent.

 

Steve

Steve, that's a form of "ghosting"------you know when you sand something away, and then when you paint over it the sanded part shows up again, and what surrounded it can look "different" too. 

Personally, I've never liked Squadron Putties no matter which color they're available in. I guess they're OK for very small areas such as Ace mentioned, but I prefer Tamiya's putty MUCH better. It's got a bit of aluminum in it, and it doesn't shrink near as much as the crazy Squadron stuff. The only drawback to Tamiya's is that it dries quite rapidly the moment it comes out of the tube, so you have to work quickly.

HTH!

[oldcarfan]

On a related question, is there a two part putty that comes in smaller amounts? I prefer Bondo two part and such, but my work are is limited.

[Ace-Garageguy]

On a related question, is there a two part putty that comes in smaller amounts? I prefer Bondo two part and such, but my work are is limited.

The smallest packaging of any two-part putty I'm aware of is the Bondo 801 tube. In reality it's a little larger than this, still much smaller than most similar materials are available in.

 

 

[Dodge Driver]

On a related question, is there a two part putty that comes in smaller amounts? I prefer Bondo two part and such, but my work are is limited.

Tamiya offers a 2-part putty. It seems hard to find here in the States. Might have to look overseas for it.

Edited March 5, 2017 by Dodge Driver

[Mike999]

Tamiya offers a 2-part putty. It seems hard to find here in the States. Might have to look overseas for it.

True, but just as a heads-up: I ordered some Tamiya 2-part epoxy putty from Lucky Model a few months ago.  Lucky is in Hong Kong and due to the shipping rules for hazardous material, the putty could only be shipped via Surface Mail, not Air.  So it took a couple of weeks to arrive. Which was OK, I had a couple of kits and some other stuff in the same order.

Tamiya makes several different kinds of 2-part epoxy putty.  I really like the Quick-Drying, which lives up to its name.

[jefropas]

Tamiya has been my choice for a few years now, the squadron stuff is pretty much junk, there are a few others from Japan that are excellent. I believe they are Mr. Surfacer brand.

 

Jeff

[Ace-Garageguy]

... the squadron stuff is pretty much junk...

Then I wonder why I'm able to get consistent first-quality results with it, used intelligently. I'll put my finish work up against anybody's.

[StevenGuthmiller]

 the squadron stuff is pretty much junk,

 

Jeff

You might want to be careful about calling anything junk on the forum Jeff.

I think you'll find that you will open up a big ol' can o' worms with some members.

We all have our biases when it comes to certain products, but you're best off keeping the interjections to yourself.

 

Steve

[DeeCee]

I use Squadron white putty for all my body mods, and believe me, i do a lot of them, now i also use auto acrylic pains,

and do not have any problems with sink back, i find it is the only putty i will use.

[Snake45]

I use Squadron white putty for all my body mods, and believe me, i do a lot of them, now i also use auto acrylic pains,

and do not have any problems with sink back, i find it is the only putty i will use.

Sometimes it takes years for the sinkage to occur. Or maybe you're just using the stuff correctly.

One thing I've found useful: When you get the putty to the shape you want, hit it with a nice wet layer of THIN superglue. It seems to sink into the putty and help harden and stabilize it. When the superglue dries/cures, then do a final sanding and drive on.

[Tom Geiger]

As said, the Squadron putty is fine if used intelligently.  An old military modeler once told me that the two colors were the same, only the white was for aircraft modelers and the green was for armor modelers, so either would cover up better with paint.  There are car modelers who will tell you it's trash and only goobs use it.   Then I chuckle at all the in progress shots with green putty visible.  I use it, I like the sandability better than the Tamiya one part putty.

The boot on this '32 was completely molded in with Squadron green putty, better than 25 years ago. Back when I thought this was the only putty. I did heed advise to put it on lightly. I did a coat a day for more than a week to build it up and let it dry out daily.  And it hasn't deteriorated or sank at all.

[crazyjim]

I use the Squadron stuff just for very small things.