THE CLUBHOUSE

My 2 part Aves putty went bad and I have to get something new for filling in holes like where reinforcement rods are put into the models. What's your favorite putty for such work?

Aves Apoxie sculpt is my favorite putty for the job. But I have also had some success with Deluxe Perfect Plastic Putty and Squadron White Putty for small jobs. But Aves is the most workable and my go to for most jobs.

I suggest you get more Aves. I finally used up my package of Aves last week after using it for at least 6 years. I can't get Aves locally, so I picked up some Milliput to get me by until I can order more Aves. Big mistake. I've use Milliput in the past for filling seams, but it's not a replacement for Aves. The task that takes about 15 minutes with Aves (filling hollow 3D-printed tires for molding) took three sessions over two days to accomplish with Milliput! Aves is much, much easier to manipulate with wet tools. Milliput just disintegrates when it gets wet. That's actually a positive feature when you are filling seams because you can quickly level the seam without wrecking details. I find filling seams with Aves a little tougher, but sculpting and general structural work is easier.

Do you keep Aves in the refrigerator or freezer to make it last? My part B developed a small slit in the lid and air got in causing it to shrink and separate. It's possible that it may still be usable but I don't trust it as it may not fully cure when mixed.

Not sure how to cure your separation issues, I like you would be skeptical on using it now. Maybe if some on the bottom hasn't been exposed, you can salvage it. In terms of refrigerating or freezing Aves, I have never done that. I have had mine for over two years and it is just fine, provided you keep it airtight in its container.

I keep my Aves in the fridge inside a ziplock bag when not in use.

For the job you describe Aves apoxie is my putty of choice.
I've had my A and B tubs for years and they still mix well and harden just like they should.

I've been using Liquitex Modeling Paste for several years... works great, water clean up, and jar re-seals perfectly. One jar has lasted at least two years. Great for pinholes, and seams. Sands well, little to no shrinkage, and takes lacquer primer.

I'll second the others--buy more Aves.

Until I get a chance to drive to a store that carries it, I've just used Vallejo Plastic Putty. I had 2 tubes of it that I never used before and thought I would give them a try. It was great for seams because of the nozzle. I'm not sure if there will be shrinkage as the touch-ups are still likely curing. So far so good though. I think that I might have seen David Fisher using it in one of the Modelmania DVDs.

I like Aves Apoxie Clay. I find the clay variant takes detail better than Sculpt, is less sticky than Sculpt, and is more workable with their solvent.

I just picked up some fresh Apoxie sculpt. I used Vallejo Plastic Putty in one spot where it had to be applied thick and it didn't fully harden in 24 hours. I think it's best for tiny detailing, like seams.

Apoxie sculpt asks you to use latex gloves when handling it. I couldn't do anything with the gloves as it became too clumsy. I used my bare fingers and washed them afterward. A neat thing about Apoxie, if you have some mixed left over, you can use it to pick up a texture that you may need later.

vortexx wrote:A neat thing about Apoxie, if you have some mixed left over, you can use it to pick up a texture that you may need later.

That's always what I do too. Grab a few textures from different items, or form the extra bits into stone shapes, or tubing shapes. Anything I might be able to use somewhere down the line.

Aves for larger ones, modeling paste for smaller. I use the modeling paste whenever possible.

vortexx wrote:My 2 part Aves putty went bad and I have to get something new for filling in holes like where reinforcement rods are put into the models. What's your favorite putty for such work?

Before Aves became so popular in this hobby, the putty of choice was Magic Sculpt. It's widely used in taxidermy. It's pretty much the same thing but has some qualities I prefer.

Anyway, one part of Magic Sculpt could become hard and seem to go bad. But it actually just needed 30 - 45 seconds in the microwave and it was good again.
Since they're nearly identical, that may be the problem with your Aves. Worth giving a shot.

Charlie

Chas K wrote:

vortexx wrote:My 2 part Aves putty went bad and I have to get something new for filling in holes like where reinforcement rods are put into the models. What's your favorite putty for such work?

Before Aves became so popular in this hobby, the putty of choice was Magic Sculpt. It's widely used in taxidermy. It's pretty much the same thing but has some qualities I prefer.

Anyway, one part of Magic Sculpt could become hard and seem to go bad. But it actually just needed 30 - 45 seconds in the microwave and it was good again.
Since they're nearly identical, that may be the problem with your Aves. Worth giving a shot.

Charlie

I never thought of that. I threw it out and bought a new batch.

Chas K wrote: Before Aves became so popular in this hobby, the putty of choice was Magic Sculpt. It's widely used in taxidermy. It's pretty much the same thing but has some qualities I prefer.

Yup. I still use both.
MS might be a bit grainier, but I think it sticks better and is easier to get into tight places.

JJCap1 wrote:Aves for larger ones, modeling paste for smaller. I use the modeling paste whenever possible.

After reading this post a few weeks back I went right to Amazon Prime and bought some Golden modeling paste. (If one of the masters, says it works, it must work). And I must tell you it is the *chit*. I still love my Aves putty for the big stuff but the paste works great on pin holes and small fills. I have also used them in conjunction with one another. Fill a big gap with Aves and the make the smooth transition with the paste. It is easy to apply, it dries quickly, and it is completely sandable.

Thanks for the tip Jim!

I just bought some Golden modeling paste and it works quite well.