Plasti Dip on Models

[JDMallday]

Has anyone tried it and how did it turn out? Thinking about using it for a Kit.

[BigTallDad]

What is Plasti Dip?

[chunkypeanutbutter]

I'd imagine it'd obscure a lot of details: small grilles, emblems, any rivet heads, etc. Worst case, it might eat plastic. Probably not, being rubber-based, but only a test would tell.

[Jantrix]

To what effect? What use do you imagine it would work for?

[Ace-Garageguy]

As Miles said, it would surely add a lot of thickness to a part and obscure details, however...one thing I had thought about using it for (but haven't tried) is on some ribbed radiator hoses I had that were too small diameter for the scale I was working in. The ribbing on the hoses was too sharp, too. It occurred to me that dipping in that material might solve both problems.

[Crazy Ed]

    I guess Black could be lightly brushed on roll bars to give the cushion/insulation effect for the drivers side.

[Theo]

Also, what about for resin or metal tires to give them a more rubber look?

[Longbox55]

What is Plasti Dip?

It's a rubber type coating, primarily for tool handles. It's essentially the same material that you see on plier handles. Comes in 2 types, a can that you simply dip the tool in, which is the original version of the product, and it now also comes in a spray can.

It won't hurt the plastic in any way, but it will go on very thick, and dries to a somewhat glossy vinyl appearance. I really can't think of any good modelling applications for it, other than perhaps replacing/adding grips to modelling tools. You might also be able to use it in a mold to make flexible parts, though I'm not sure how well it would set up.

[JDMallday]

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to try it out in a bit on a 1/32 model I'm working on. I'll show a photo of the outcome.

[BDSchindler]

My 1:1 is a white 2012 Audi Q5 Prestige with the S-line packages on it. The S-line packages take the chrome trim and replaces it with black trim. They kept the chromed Audi rings and the rest of badging chrome. After taping all of the chromed badges off, I used black Plasti-dip spray to cover them.  Works well for this situation as it avoids paint chips since it is rubberized.  It's been in place for 3 years now and no chips or significant signs of wear through Washington DC heat to cold seasonal temperature variances and hand or car washes.

It does spray on somewhat thick but depending on the material being covered, it may take a light coat or 2...at least it did over chromed plastic 1:1 car emblems

In so far as a covering for modeling (I don't refer to this as a paint since it really isn't), I could see it used on radiator or heater hoses since it is a flat rubber and has the right patina to pull that off. I could possibly be used for interiors for a leather/vinyl look but you need to mask off finer details as it will be thicker than paint. It might be a great base for flocking floor boards since it will peel right off like dried liquid latex. So if you screw it up, mistakes are easily fixed.

For tires, I don't know as the materials used in vinyl kit tires tends to leach and might cause a real mess. While I have never seen kit tires leach, tires used on Diecast like Danbury mint, Franklin Mint and the like have properties that can leach out and destroy table top finishes. These are made from the same material as kit tires, or so I'm told.

Additionally, apparently you can thin it down for spraying since there are those out there that have bought it by the gallon and used it to spray entire cars (1:1's) via body shop style paint equipment. How and what to use? No clue.  Google it or search it out on YouTube. Lowes carries the brush and spray version in a couple of colors...black, white , red and yellow...maybe others.

[peteski]

I have used that stuff over a tightly-wound spring made from copper wire to make custom vent hose in this photo.

 

[Lunajammer]

Brilliant Peteski. Very resourceful and a fine example of how it will cover an identifiable object.

[peteski]

Thanks Mike.

I should have also mentioned that it wasn't just an easy dip.  Straight-from the can PlasiDip is too viscous - it creates a blob over the wire spring. I ended up experimenting with thinning the PlastiDIp with solvents (Acetone, Toluene and Naphta) until it was thin enough not to create a blob.  It also took 3 or 4 dippings until I was able to build up a coat which was thick enough to cover the wire and not to break when I bent the "hose".