Filler for plastic shell

  I've used auto body filler. One tube should last a lifetime.

I just bought Durhams Water Putty as recommended by a forum member. Worked well for a couple of small repairs on a F3 shell. It's a powder so you mix what you need, it remains workable for a while.

Bob

Try Testors contour putty. It's made for plastic models.

Try this hobbylinc.com and go to supplies, you will find all kinds of different putties and fillers for plastic.
Hope this helps.

I have not tried Water Putty but have used the Testors.  One thing about that kind of putty and most glues is they dry up in opened tubes.  I have gotten permission from the wife to let me keep some of them (wrapped in plastic bags) in the bottom of the refrigerator.  If you keep them cool they can last a few years.

Charlie

Deluxe Materials, having a wide range of products for an equally wide range of hobbyists worldwide, makes a very popular plastic putty...

Deluxe Putty Link

...as yet another suggestion. 

It's the only plastic putty I use...but TEHO, of course.

KD

That is what I use.

@Train Nut posted:

Does anybody know what is a good filler for a plastic shell. There's a few small areas that need filling.    In a pinch I've used jb weld but would prefer something sandable.  Thanks

JB Weld is sandable. Heck, it's drillable. I usually use it for assembly purposes, then bondo for large area filling and shaping, followed by a glazing compound for final finish sanding and painting. For filling small gaps and defects I use Perfect Plastic Putty, which is great because it's both water washable AND sandable.

Lots of choices.  Thanks for all the leads! 

I can't remember the exact name but it is something like Squadron Green Putty.  I used it and it was easy to sand and took paint well.

Ed

I have  used Squadron Green Putty and it worked OK.   

However, I later found Tamiya white, and grey putty and I like it better.    It seems to finer ground than Squadron so it 'feathers" out better when you sand it.    It sands easily and paints well too.    And it does not seem to shrink and crack as much as Squadron. 

I have found it in the same shops that stock Squadron.

Bondo. Small tube; never had it dry up. Lasts a long time. Good on metal (surprise!) too. Easily sand-able, you betcha.

But - I have noted (and repaired) some that I had used to fill some spots in an epoxy (JB Weld) patch. After a couple of years the Bondo turned to dust. I guess some Bondo ingredients and some epoxy ingredients react badly.

Another vote for Bondo.

ECI

Does Bondo contain a solvent that might damage plastic?

@prrjim posted:

Does Bondo contain a solvent that might damage plastic?

Bondo IS plastic. It's polyester.

Great information !!!

Thanks to all posters !!!

Many models today are Injection molded styrene.    Something keeps the polyester bondo flexible/moldable until it is applied.    My question was, will that something which might be a solvent, attack styrene or other hard plastics?   

Once the bondo cures, the solvent probably evaporates and can not cause a problem.  

Train Nut, thanks for this thread, great info.

Tom

anyone got some pictures of body work on plastic with any of the fillers discussed in this topic?

I had to recreate the corner of the roof on this Mth bobber caboose I picked up cheap. I used styrene sheet to make a base then grey jb weld (std formula) to fill followed by the Bondo glaze and patch in the toothpaste type tube to smooth and blend it out. No issues so far.

I repainted and decorated for B&o. Fixed corner is front right in this pic.

Assume you are referring to the standard JB weld 2 part products, not the special plastics version.  Bondo- normal two part as in auto body work.  Many ues "Bondo" as generic for any type of filler.  Just trying to clarify.

Sorry. It’s bondo glazing and spot putty. Comes in a toothpaste type tube. No mixing needed. The jb weld was jb weld standard.

Caboose looks great.!

Tom