Help and Hints

[Super28]

Thought I'd start this thread to pick everybody's brain when I needed help and to pass on what I learn

 

HELP!--------------Need a computer program that will allow me to shrink pictures down to model scale for use in making decals or for whatever

Hint!---------------Everybody probably already knows this but Bob Smith's two part epoxy dries clear, should work great on molded in headlights to look like glass over them

[Super28]

Had to move down here to finish. In the picture at the bottom of the "V" in the hood is where I put a little of it that I mixed. It dries clear.

I ordered it from either Hobbylinc ot Megahobby. Don't remember

Hope that helps someone

Edited August 7, 2017 by Super28

[afx]

Epoxy does work but a simpler method for me is Future Floor Polish.  I just place a large drop and it self levels.  It shrinks a lot so a few applications are required.  These gauge lenses are done with this method.

[cobraman]

Those lens look better than when I used Krystal Klear.

[Speedfreak]

Those lens look great, (looks like glass) and I have some future! thanks JC!

[Mike999]

You can also buy that 2-part clear epoxy in Loew's or Home Depot.  I've used the "Devcon" trade name for years, but Gorilla and several other companies also make it.  It really is useful and versatile stuff.  In dioramas, it's great for making small mud-puddles or even water dripping out of a broken pipe.

One way to shrink pictures down etc. is good old Microsoft Word.  Just paste your poster, sign or whatever into a Word document.  Word will recognize it as a picture and you get the 4 "handles" on the corners so you can re-size it.  Then you can print it on regular paper until the size is just right, then print it on decal paper. Or thick card-stock, if you're making road signs and the like.

 

[BigTallDad]

Thought I'd start this thread to pick everybody's brain when I needed help and to pass on what I learn

 

HELP!--------------Need a computer program that will allow me to shrink pictures down to model scale for use in making decals or for whatever

 

If you have Windows you have MS Paint. Find the image you like, right click, select Open With, the choose Paint.

Clean the image up as desired, select the area you want,  then select Resize (upper left area of the options bar). Enter a percentage for reduction (or enlargement, if that's what you want), and press Enter.

I typically will expand the borders of the image displayed, select the area, and copy it. I then paste, move the pasted area to an open area (provided by the expanded borders) and Resize. I'll paste again, move that image to a clear area, and resize again, using a different percent. Repeat as necessary, until you have the size you want.

Once again, I have a tutorial for this process but I'm being held hostage by PhotoBucket.

[Super28]

Thanks everybody. Great help. Much appreciated

[Super28]

Epoxy does work but a simpler method for me is Future Floor Polish.  I just place a large drop and it self levels.  It shrinks a lot so a few applications are required.  These gauge lenses are done with this method.

WOW!

 

[my66s55]

I use Gimp. It is a cross platform free software that is extremely efficient. Since I don't use Microsloth's windozs and use Linux instead, the procedures may be a little bit different. Open your picture in Gimp. Right click and select "transform tools", "crop". Crop (cut out) the picture to it's outside dimentions. Press enter key. Right click and choose "image", "print size". Enter size as needed. Press enter. Right click and in File, choose "export as". Make sure the extension is jpeg and going to the right folder. Press enter. Done deal.

[Super28]

How about the "tea Ball" ? I got one from Wal-Mart , in housewares, for about $3.00. It's for putting tea leaves in and making tea. Works great for soaking small parts in stripper and not losing them

[my66s55]

As has been mentioned before. Make sure it's made from stainless steel. Otherwise, the stripper could also dissolve it.

[Super28]

Oops...........Been moved over here!

HELP!--------------------What is the best thing to use as a reducer for acrylic paints to shoot through an air brush?

[my66s55]

I use clean water and this:

To get this

and more.

[MrObsessive]

Be careful using 5 min. epoxy for gauge lenses! Over time especially if the gauges have a white background, the epoxy can yellow making your gauges appear yellow as well.

[my66s55]

Bill is correct. I personally would rather use Future. That's what I use to clear coat.

 

Edited August 7, 2017 by my66s55

[crazyjim]

I use Mod Podge for gauge lenses and gluing headlight/taillights.

 

[peteski]

Be careful using 5 min. epoxy for gauge lenses! Over time especially if the gauges have a white background, the epoxy can yellow making your gauges appear yellow as well.

Yes, I agree - I have experienced this problem few times and I no longer use any of the epoxy adhesives (especially the 5-minute type) to represent clear lenses.  Also, most epoxies have slight amber tint to begin with.  But I had it turn deep amber after several years.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Epoxy does work but a simpler method for me is Future Floor Polish.  I just place a large drop and it self levels.  It shrinks a lot so a few applications are required.  These gauge lenses are done with this method.

You can do the same thing with "Laser Bond" glue.

Squeeze in a drop, hit it with UV light & it's hardened in a couple of seconds.

 

Steve

 

[Super28]

You can do the same thing with "Laser Bond" glue.

Squeeze in a drop, hit it with UV light & it's hardened in a couple of seconds.

 

Steve

 

Nice! Thanks!

 

[Super28]

Help!----------------Can you paint acrylic over enamel paint?

[Snake45]

Help!----------------Can you paint acrylic over enamel paint?

I've never heard that you can't. But it's easy to test whatever combination you have in mind.

[Super28]

I've never heard that you can't. But it's easy to test whatever combination you have in mind.

Enamel base with a Acrylic top coat

[Snake45]

Enamel base with a Acrylic top coat

Yes, you can test that on plastic spoons--just as you can test any other combination you can dream up. Some of them will work. Some of them won't.

[Super28]

Thanks Richard. I'll try that with the spoons