Friday, July 26, 2019

The many uses of talc for modellers

Got a granny? Sadly no. It's a pity as my modelling toolkit needs something grannies seem to have plenty of - talcum powder.

I'm not sure why it seems to be such an old-fashioned product. After all, you can still buy it in the shops, but I've never actually felt the need to do so. Or at least not for a while.

A tub of talc has a permanent spot on my modelling board. It does loads of jobs:
  • Patted into the paint on buildings, the colour is matted, blended and lent a tiny bit of texture. Thanks to Iain Rice for that tip. 
  • On a file, it reduces the clogging when filing whitemetal. 
  • Applied as a weathering powder, it tones down the colours of others. Handy if you've been a bit heavy-handed. 
  • Sprinkled into tarmac colour paint, it adds just a hint of texture. Thank Marytn Welch for that one. 
  • If you have glue, especially epoxy traces on your hands, a sprinkled of talc will soak it up and prevent gluey fingerprints. 
  • Spil glue on the cutting mat, talc soaks it up like cat litter deployed by a school caretaker on a pavement pizza. 
 Anyway, after many years of service, my pot ran out.  After a dig in the cupboard, I have a replacement which I'm sure will make my modelling smell lovely!


6 comments:

  1. I like the file idea. I'll have a go at that

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  2. Anonymous11:29 AM

    Another use for talcum powder.

    Mix it with (slow setting) two part epoxy glue. The resulting "filler", when set, can be carved (sculpted) with a suitable scalpel blade.


    Christopher Payne

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  3. Phil, yes, I discovered some time ago that talcum powder was better used on models than on myself...

    A couple of other uses? I think it might have been the Phoenix Precision painting handbook "The Finishing Touch" (can't remember the author) that suggested mixing talc and paint to make a simple filler. Also, I have some Phoenix Precision BR freight stock grey paint that takes several days to dry (even after being well-stirred). I have found that gently rubbing talcum powder over the surface and then blowing it off, helps to remove the tackiness and also makes the finish more matt.

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  4. Also comes in handy if you're brave enough to dance to northern soul records whilst modelling (apply to the dancefloor)

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  5. Thanks , fine tips!

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  6. I think it was in the Airfix magazine in the 60s which suggested putting talc in black paint to give a more realistic finish for car tyres.

    Sean

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