Archives: Tips
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How to thoroughly mix paint
Go to a craft store and purchase a bunch of ¼-inch plastic beads. Place them in paint jars before putting the jars on a paint shaker.
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Wire-gauge drill bits
I cut out and tape paint codes on the wall in front of me; that way I don’t have to keep flipping back to them while building my latest car model.
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Keep your compressor from sliding across the room
My airbrush compressor is in the linoleum- tiled laundry room, so every time I turned it on it went skating across the room.
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Upcycle candy box containers
Higher-end boxed candy frequently comes in aluminum or plastic trays. Cut these up and make disposable cups for paint, glue, weathering powders, etc.
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Liquid aircraft lights
Bondic is liquid plastic that hardens under an included UV LED. You can see the ergonomic handle, light, and carrying case in the photo to the right. While you can use it to bond canopies to fuselages and attach other fiddly parts, I found it particularly good for creating wingtip lights.
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Transform side-opening boxes
I used to wonder about all the kit reviews and kit-build articles that complained about side-opening boxes. Then, I bought a B-2 aircraft kit with that type of box and I finally got it — the box, as it was, was worthless when it came to retaining small, loose parts.
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WD-40 clears haze
Are you having a problem with Testors Dullcote becoming hazy with time? Spray WD-40 into a container, apply it to the cloudy Dullcote with a flat brush, remove the excess, let dry, and voila — haze gone!
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Cheap brush cover
To protect my brush bristles, I cover them with tubes cut out of pump soap dispensers. Look for brands that use small-diameter tubes.
