Preparing FUD for Painting - an Interesting Perspective

[D869]

I now have some initial prints for a 10T class A tank in 2mm scale. It occurred to me yesterday that painting these in the post-war silver livery was going to cause a few conundrums because I'd like to use Alclad... which is most definitely not a water based acrylic (I believe it is cellulose based).

 

I came across this article which suggests that a period of exposure to UV light is a good idea and allows other paints to be used. It also sounds like a good idea if acrylic is going to be used - I've seen some FUD models develop a white 'bloom' over a period of perhaps a year after painting with acrylic.

 

https://matthewsmodelmarine.wordpress.com/2015/12/01/painting-shapeways-frosted-detail-plastic/

 

Seems like it's worth a try to me... although it puzzles me why Shapeways wouldn't do this themselves before shipping models.

 

I was also hunting to see whether there was anybody recommending acrylics for metallic finishes, but most of the results led straight back to Alclad or less capable non-acrylic predecessors from other companies.

 

Regards, Andy

 

[Tricky-CRS]

Thank you very interesting article and it is obvious really once pointed out. It hadn't occurred to me that It may be under cured resin causing the issue.

[Revolution Ben]

Hello all,

 

I have tried leaving FUD components in sunlight to fully harden, but depending on the part and how the light falls on it there can be some warping.  

 

I like his suggestion of using a UV-A lamp to cure the items in an hour - fast enough, one hopes, to avoid this issue.

 

Does anyone here have any recommendations on a suitable lamp?

 

cheers

 

Ben A.