Durable gap filling with Superglue and Baking soda

[Jin Saotome]

Taught to me by a friend, this method allows you to fill gaps in minutes without having to wait 3+ hours for Apoxie Sculpt or other putties to cure. You can use talcum powder as well. Best of all this method makes a very durable fill, almost like cement.

http://www.angelfire.com/mech/jinsaotome/WorkspaceSetup/GapFill_001.JPG

http://www.angelfire.com/mech/jinsaotome/WorkspaceSetup/GapFill_002.JPG

http://www.angelfire.com/mech/jinsaotome/WorkspaceSetup/GapFill_003.JPG

http://www.angelfire.com/mech/jinsaotome/WorkspaceSetup/GapFill_004.JPG

[BigHank]

Very old technique, but thanks for posting for those who may not know. It is such a useful trick to have in your toolbox! Excellent!:D

[Nick]

Something like this just came up in a project so your timing couldn't have been more perfect for this posting!

[- Z -]

I actually totally forgot about this technique! Thanks Jin.... I believe you were the one that told me about this years ago. Awesome Job!

[starwarsgeek]

That's a useful old-school tip... I used to do that to fill in seam lines when I was putting together vinyl figure kits all the time.

[speedleescustoms]

old school technique ? I myself thought that it's a break through new technique ! I seriously didn't know that you can do wonders with baking soda... Thumbs up for this ! :D

[Jin Saotome]

Welcome guys! It was news to me too, proving that you learn something new every day no matter how long you've been doing something.

[BigHank]

I learned it ages ago from some old time aircraft and car model builders, they used to fill fuselage/hull/car body seams with it. Those cats know some tricks for sure man!

[CustomCreator]

Chalk me up on the "had no idea" list. Great for guys who hate sculpting like me! Great little filler!

[Overhaulimus]

It's a great technique,I use it on my prop building quite frequently.

[Rosedale]

News to me, but wouldn't using a super glue accelerant like Zip Kicker do the same thing just waaaay faster?

[Bern]

What kind of ratio / mix should be used for durability?

[jcartwork]

wow thanx for your advice ;)

[TurboSmurf]

That is awesome

[whiskeytango]

There is no end to the thanks I should give you for this tutorial. I've been using it since you put it out, and it has been the cure for oh so many headaches.

[DXM]

Just a little warning that the reaction between cyanoacrylate and baking soda is very exothermic (heat producing) and also produces noxious vapors, there is sometimes a puff of smoke, don't breath in the vapors. It really burns the eyes and nose.

[Skull]

Wow I know i am late but Thanks for this and that figure will be the first i try it on

[Fierce Krypton]

Never knew, good stuff!

[flawpunk]

Great way to fill in the seams after cracking open the iron man 2 6" war machine :)

[Shinobitron]

It also works with baby powder. It takes a little longer to dry but it makes a paste like substance that dries like cement.

[Mr.Sci-Fi]

I saw a warning not to use baking soda, here's a qoute from starship modeler.


Eek. Not Baking Soda. This was an idea that was started some 20 years ago and has been deprecated by many a modeler. Baking Soda, even encased in superglue will absorb water from the air. Eventually, the baking soda will dissolve into a liquid solution and leak out of the glue joints. One A/C modeler described his fighter plane model as "foaming at the wing joints."

There are alternatives, albeit one I know for sure, micro-balloons, provides strength & bulk but do not have cure-accelerant properties. I have heard of experiments with off the shelf fine ground minerals (e.g. Talc) having dual bulk & accelerant properties, but do not know about their long term stability.

[OneupMario]

woah really?

[JaZzMan26]

awesome thanks man!

[UltraMagnus2008]

wow, never heard of this,this definetly makes doing model kits/ vehicles easier thanks

[foxhunter]

Yeah I read that too about not mixing baking soda. thats why I never use this technique. Thanks for reminding it again maybe Ill try it one of my project and the baby powder for comparison. kudos!

[DecadeSijera]

Ancient technique Re-discovered! this is vey useful! Thanks for sharing!