Modeling putty: Which do you guys like the best and why.

[Chariots of Fire]

I've been using Squadron green putty for a long time.  Liked it up until they stopped making it.  Switched to Tamiya basic and I like it only that it takes longer to set up.  What do you use and why do you like it?

 

[espo]

Tamiya white putty. Has served me well for years. 

[Snake45]

 

 

[MrObsessive]

Tamiya "basic" putty. The light gray stuff. I like it because it doesn't shrink near as much (or at all if applied in light layers) than the Squadron. It's got some aluminum in it I believe which helps a lot in its low shrinkage properties.

For larger bodywork where some major filling in is needed.........this is my go-to brand........

[Plowboy]

3 hours ago, Chariots of Fire said:

I've been using Squadron green putty for a long time.  Liked it up until they stopped making it.  Switched to Tamiya basic and I like it only that it takes longer to set up.  What do you use and why do you like it?

 

To me, the Tamiya Basic putty sets up pretty fast. The White, on the other hand, does take a lot longer to set up and it shrinks like mad! To me, it's better suited for filling scratches after primer. You may want to give Tamiya's Epoxy putty a try if you want something that sets faster than the Basic. 

[Chariots of Fire]

I think I'll stick with the Tamiya basic even if it does take a bit longer to set.  It seems to be a real good filler and sets up hard.  I've got some Squadron gray but don't like it because it does shrink like crazy and another called Clear Plastic white.  The latter is very chalky in consistency even when sanded.  Next time at the LHS it will be Tamiya basic gray.

Agree, Bill Geary.  The gray does seem to have some aluminum in it.  Sort of reflects when it's sanded.

Edited March 12, 2022 by Chariots of Fire

[AMT68]

3 hours ago, MrObsessive said:

Tamiya "basic" putty. The light gray stuff. I like it because it doesn't shrink near as much (or at all if applied in light layers) than the Squadron. It's got some aluminum in it I believe which helps a lot in its low shrinkage properties.

That's interesting information and I haven't used that version of Tamiya putty to this point. Will have to get some.

Out of curiosity are the Tamiya putties safe to use on the older kits (Monogram etc.) which are typically softer plastics. I ask because I used the white to smooth out a trunk of an older kit with sink marks and a few months after the car was finished there were multiple depressions in what had previously been a smoothed surface after using the putty. 

Edited March 12, 2022 by AMT68

[Straightliner59]

11 hours ago, Snake45 said:

 

 

I like a two-part polyester. It sets quickly, and doesn't shrink. Prior to that, for years, I used 3M Acryl Blue Body Glazing Putty. It worked pretty well, but, as with any solvent putty, is subject to shrinking. For smaller jobs, I use super glue, and micro balloons. One of the reasons I used the Acryl Blue for so long, was that the tube was massive! I used to thin it with Testors liquid cement, for  smaller seams.

[NOBLNG]

I will use the Tamiya grey for filling scratches, sink marks, and shallow ejection pin marks. Any thicker coat than that I will use the super fine white Milliput.

[espo]

I see where others have had shrinking issues with the white Tamiya putty. Since in my own experiance I use very little putty on a project this may explain why I have not had that issue. Now there has been a few builds where I had to use a couple of applications of putty to get the desired shape and finish and this could also be why I have not had any issues. Best to try several different products and find what you are most comfortable working with. 

[yh70]

i been using this since the 80's..dries fast, easy sand. you can find it at any auto parts or home center-lumber. even Walmart is where i get mine..

[Plowboy]

On 3/11/2022 at 10:35 PM, AMT68 said:

That's interesting information and I haven't used that version of Tamiya putty to this point. Will have to get some.

Out of curiosity are the Tamiya putties safe to use on the older kits (Monogram etc.) which are typically softer plastics. I ask because I used the white to smooth out a trunk of an older kit with sink marks and a few months after the car was finished there were multiple depressions in what had previously been a smoothed surface after using the putty. 

I've used the Basic on old AMT kits ('59) with no problems. The white putty shrinks terribly in my experience with it. 

[TimKustom]

Here's one that hasn't been mentioned. Pronto Kombi Spot Putty (say that 3 times fast) was recommended to me by an exceptional military modeler.

https://www.autobodytoolmart.com/product/usc-pronto-kombi-spot-putty-32046/auto-body-putty-glaze

Decided to try it out and have been very happy with it. Like most fillers it needs to be applied very thin (I typically use toothpick amounts), but this stuff dries very fast, has a very similar consistency to most kit plastic and I have seen little if any shrinkage if any. I am from the Evercoat 2 part school, but got tired of mixing small quantities and having the can dry out.

I try to use evergreen plastic as a "filler" as much as possible and use any putty to fill very minor imperfections.

[AMT68]

10 hours ago, Plowboy said:

I've used the Basic on old AMT kits ('59) with no problems. The white putty shrinks terribly in my experience with it. 

Okay, that is good to know. 

[Mike 1017]

My local Hobby Lobby just started to get Mr. Hobby products. It works very well.

You know you when you melt plastic with thinner. It is sort of like that.

Mike

[Mr. Metallic]

I only use Tamiya for very minor scratches or imperfections, and always allow it to dry for at least 12 hours to make sure it has fully shrunk.

I use 2 part automotive filler for everything else because it doesn't dry, it cures. That means it doesn't shrink and is very stable. I used to use Evercoat "Eurosoft" but like others have said, got tired of it going bad in the container. Upon the suggestion of my friend I switched to Dolphin Glaze (I know, weird name). It can be purchased on eBay, and comes in a pouch, so the product stays usable in the package much longer than anything else I've used and is easy to just squirt a little on a pallet for mixing small amounts. I've been using it for years now with no issues seen in any of my long completed projects. Sands and feathers well too.