Close
Menu
Abrasives & Polishing

Abrasives & Polishing

In scale modeling, as in many other precision crafts, the devil is in the details. Proper preparation of the model's surface before painting is crucial for achieving a professional finish. This is precisely where abrasives and polishing materials come into play. They allow for the removal of imperfections such as mold seam lines, plastic flash, or glue marks. Thanks to them, you can also perfectly smooth out modeling putty, preparing a smooth and uniform base for painting. Using the right tools at this stage helps prevent many problems during painting and ensures that the final appearance of the model is satisfying.

Types of Abrasives in Scale Modeling

A fundamental tool for every modeler is sandpaper. Available in sheets or on sponges, its key parameter is the grit – the higher the number, the finer the grain and the smoother the surface after sanding. For working with plastic, wet-and-dry sandpaper is particularly recommended, as wet sanding minimizes dust and prevents clogging. For working on curved and hard-to-reach surfaces, flexible sanding sponges and sanding sticks are ideal. In turn, for removing larger amounts of material or for precise shaping of parts, modeling files with various shapes and coarseness are indispensable.

Polishing and Final Finishing of the Model

After finishing with fine-grit sandpaper, it's time for polishing. This process aims to achieve a perfectly smooth, or even a mirror-like, surface. This is especially important for clear parts, such as aircraft canopies or windows in car models, as well as for car models where the bodywork is meant to shine. For this purpose, specialized polishing compounds with varying abrasive strengths are used. They are applied with a soft cloth, gradually moving from a coarser compound to the finest, finishing one. The result is a flawlessly smooth surface that readily accepts decals and clear coats.

Subcategories

  • Sandpaper in Model Making

    Sandpaper is a fundamental and essential tool in any modeler's workshop. It is used for the precise shaping and finishing of plastic, resin, and wooden models. It allows for the effective removal of flash, seam lines, and for smoothing surfaces after cutting or applying putty. Properly preparing the model's surface before painting is key to achieving a professional finish, and selecting the right sandpaper makes this process significantly easier and more efficient. Depending on the task, different grits of sandpaper are used, allowing you to control the level of abrasion and achieve a perfectly smooth surface.

    How to Choose the Right Sandpaper Grit?

    The key parameter of sandpaper is its grit, indicated by a number. The rule is simple: the lower the number, the coarser the grain and the more aggressive the sanding action. Grits from 180 to 400 are excellent for initial work, removing larger imperfections, and shaping parts. Grits in the 600-1200 range are ideal for smoothing surfaces and preparing them for primer. The finest papers, with grits of 1500 and higher (up to 12000), are used for final polishing, removing fine scratches, preparing surfaces for gloss coats, and polishing transparent parts such as aircraft canopies.

    Sanding Tools and Techniques

    In addition to traditional sheets, sanding sponges and polishing sticks are also popular in model making. Sanding sponges conform perfectly to curved and irregular shapes, ensuring even pressure. Many sandpapers designed for modeling can be used both dry and wet. Wet sanding with water minimizes dust, prevents the paper from clogging, and results in a much smoother surface, which is crucial for finishing work. Choosing the right tool depends on the material and the project stage, so it's wise to have a set of sandpapers in various grits and forms.

There are 720 products.
per page
Showing 1 - 20 of 720 items
Showing 1 - 20 of 720 items
Close