Holding small parts

[sonictherevenge]

Just wondering what you all use to hold small parts while painting them. I was thinking about alligator clips but afraid they might gouge up the surface.

[jeffs396]

I use a foam block as a base. Toothpicks with a blob of Fun-Tak putty hold the prepped parts firmly without damaging the part. Removes cleanly...

[sonictherevenge]

I like the fun tak method where can I buy that is it in regular dept stores. Is it reusable.

Edited February 5, 2014 by sonictherevenge

[jeffs396]

Just about anywhere...Walmart, Home Depot, Office supply stores, etc. Dollar stores probably have it too, albeit a no-name brand that may or may not work as well.

And yes, it is reuseable. After use, I pull it back off of the toothpicks or popsicle sticks and knead it to move the dried paint around, keeping it tacky. After many uses, I toss it & use fresh, it's cheap

[vypurr59]

You could also use Silly Putty, but make sure it is the name brand.

[Erik Smith]

I glue them to scrap sprue with a tiny drop of crazy glue in an area that the part will be glued.

Ditto. Or toothpick

[ZTony8]

If you're meaning small parts to be brush painted leave them on the sprue whenever possible.If you mean for spraying,the clay method with toothpicks works very well.For larger parts like bodies or chassis pans I put a large piece of tape on top of an empty spray can and put the pieces on it.

[JohnU]

I tape a straight pin to a tooth pick, heat the point with a candle flame and stick it in an inconspicuous place on the part. Usually where it will be glued. The tooth pick is now a handle and will stick in a block of styrofoam for air brushing or to hold by hand for detail brush painting.

[935k3]

Radio Shack sells very small copper alligator clips that have no teeth and are just flat. I mount them on the end of bamboo skewers.

[Miatatom]

I use the wooden skewers like a lot of other folks do but I use double sided tape with the thin foam center. A short strip on the side of the skewer can hold several small parts.