Painting Shapeways Products

[Bob Bufkin]

Finally broke down and ordered a few of those auto frames from Shapeways.  I know a few of you have these.  My question is what kind or prep is needed to paint these?  Just doing them a semi flat black color.

[Catt]

I usually give my Shapeways items a alcohol bath then a soap and water bath in warm water with dish soap. Then a good rinse and let it air dry then paint.

I've been told that the parts need a primer coat but the last few that I have done I just painted the bare FUD with no problems.

[Bob Bufkin]

Sounds easy enough.  Thanks.

[robert3985]

There are a couple of "cautions" to painting FUD stuff.  (1) Use "Bestine" to get rid of the wax.  How do you know when the wax is gone?  The part turns frosty, opaque white.  If it's translucent, it's still got wax on it, which you do not want.  (2) To insure the parts will be as smooth as possible, the latest recommendation is to "buff" the parts using a new toothbrush and toothpaste.  The attached photos on that thread showed a remarkable improvement of the semi-truck frames which were "buffed"...I mean...a HUGE difference.

You'll know if you haven't removed the wax because the flat paint you are going to use will be near glossy after it dries.  Time to strip the paint and soak the parts in mo' Bestine.  I don't think alcohol will take the wax off nearly as well as Bestine.

There ya go...and I don't use any primer, which works fine for me.

[3rdboxcar]

Hi

I use Non acetone nail varnish remover as bestine is not available here in the UK, seems to do exactly the same job as the part turns white and you can get some dry powder residue which is easily brushed off.

I have not tried the toothpaste idea yet but does sound promising. 8 test prints on CNSM interurbans and some other parts arriving this week so will be testing the toothpaste method. [wonder how I can smuggle use the electric toothbrush out the bathroom without getting caught]

I have always given everything a coat of Tamiya fine grey primer, if anything else it shows up any faults before proper painting and never had a problem with enamels drying after a coat of primer as some have reported that they have.

Alexander

[dmidkiff]

I know this is an old post, but I feel my issue is relevant.

These two shells spent the night in an 91% alcohol bath, about 9 hours, and have warped and cracked.  I have had no issues leaving Atlas or Kato shells in alcohol overnight.  I admit that it was not clean, fresh alcohol, but once again, have never had issues.  For those of you that have some more experience with the FUD pieces, is there a way to remedy things and hopefully get the straight sides back?  I'm ready to chalk this up as a loss and order a new pair.







Thanks for any help.

Doug

[robert3985]

Bestine.  I leave my FUD parts in it overnight without any problems.

[Catt]

99% Isopropal alcohol for no more than a hour,scrub the thing with the wife's old electric toothbrush,wash in warm water and Dawn dishsoap and let it air dry then paint.No paint problems ,is only glossy when I use gloss paint.