Bar Mills Four Fingered Tony's Build

[UP Fan]

Bob, a nice crisp build.


Marty

Thank you Marty.  Always nice to hear from you.

[donatode]

Worked on Tony's today. Been soaking the castings for a couple of days now. Took them out of the 'bath' and dried them on a paper towel. Will get to work cleaning up the flash and mold marks with files and xacto blades later on tonight. Also, thought the back walls of the meat market building looked a little drab, so I bound some wood paneling on the net and copied them to a Word file, resized them, printed them off and cut to fit the space . They were glued with good old Elmer's White Glue brushed on the back. Dresses up the walls a bit, I think. Think I'll do the same thing in the Butcher Shoppe. Not too happy with the finish of the Testors #1112 Light Yellow. It read enamel on the label, but went on like old acrylic. Dried almost too quick. Brush drug across the surface and did not leave a nice finish. I'll let it dry a couple of days and wallpaper the joint. Also primed the windows and got them ready to paint. I want to steel wool both buildings and start the weathering process on them. Found some signs on this site and will put a couple on the big wall spaces.

Bob you mention "bath" for the metal details.  Can you please elaborate as to what you use or point me in the right direction?

Thanks,
Donato

[UP Fan]

Worked on Tony's today. Been soaking the castings for a couple of days now. Took them out of the 'bath' and dried them on a paper towel. Will get to work cleaning up the flash and mold marks with files and xacto blades later on tonight. Also, thought the back walls of the meat market building looked a little drab, so I bound some wood paneling on the net and copied them to a Word file, resized them, printed them off and cut to fit the space . They were glued with good old Elmer's White Glue brushed on the back. Dresses up the walls a bit, I think. Think I'll do the same thing in the Butcher Shoppe. Not too happy with the finish of the Testors #1112 Light Yellow. It read enamel on the label, but went on like old acrylic. Dried almost too quick. Brush drug across the surface and did not leave a nice finish. I'll let it dry a couple of days and wallpaper the joint. Also primed the windows and got them ready to paint. I want to steel wool both buildings and start the weathering process on them. Found some signs on this site and will put a couple on the big wall spaces.

Bob you mention "bath" for the metal details.  Can you please elaborate as to what you use or point me in the right direction?

Thanks,
Donato

Nothing special, Donato.  By 'bath' I meant soaking the pieces in 99% alcohol solution to get rid of the mold releasing solution and the oils from my fingers. 

[donatode]

Thanks Bob.

Donato

[UP Fan]

Added a few more details to the diorama; meat cooler in butcher shop, some signs in and around, put hand holds on the telephone pole, back stairs, back doors, etc. Geez, these details take almost as long as the build.   

[martin.ojaste]

Looking good and even better with the signs of life and details.  Have you found the "fifth finger" yet?


Marty

[UP Fan]

Marty, don't tell anyone, I think it's in Ms. Crabtree's meatloaf.  Oh-my.

[rpdylan]

I have seen where the military modelers have soaked white metal castings in white vinegar and then washed with soap and water- the idea being that the vinegar produces a slight etching in the surface to aid in painting. I havn't tried it yet but I think I will to see if its a good technique.  I will say that I really like the Vallejo paints for castings and figures. You can get nice sets on Amazon- (I started with the "Allied Forces" color set). The paint is really nice and you can squeeze just a drop or two out at a time from the bottle. 

[deemery]

I keep a bottle with vinegar and dishwasher soap, figuring to do both etch and clean.  I put the castings in there for 20 minutes or so, the rinse thoroughly.


dave

[UP Fan]

Thanks Dave and rpdylan for the vinegar tip.  A little etching on the casting would definitely give it some 'tooth' for painting later on.  Do you still prime the castings prior to paint or not?

[deemery]

Priming is always better, particularly for acrylics.  My favorite primer is (was) the Floquil spray light gray figure primer, it has a very fine grain to it.  I have a couple cans that I'm reserving for (HO scale) figures.


dave

[rpdylan]

I really like the Krylon Camo paint. It sprays nicely and with a very fine grain. It provides a nice surface for the paint to adhere to also. The Khaki color is my favorite for casting primer- give it a shot, I think you will like it.
Bob C.

[UP Fan]

Thanks, Bob. I'll definitely give the Krylon a try. 

[ollevon]

That is looking awesome Bob, I think I will pick up that kit at the Expo.  I just hope I can get to look as nice as yours.
  Sam

[UP Fan]

Thank you Sam. appreciate the compliments  Have fun at Expo, sounds like a great show.  Definitely get a Bar Mills kit or two at the show and have fun.  I really like their kits.