| Polishing WSF [message #47621] Sat, 28 April 2012 17:05 UTC |
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Ive looked at the topics in this thread and nothing seems to be clear. My model is in WSF (not polished) because my model was too big. How do I polish this matte material? I've spent a lot of time already sanding this thing down using 200/300 sandpaper but nothing is really shiny. What are people doing to get their models polished?
[Updated on: Sat, 28 April 2012 17:06 UTC]
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| Re: Polishing WSF [message #47633 is a reply to message #47621 ] Sun, 29 April 2012 14:56 UTC |
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Polishing by hand using sand paper doesn't work very well, in my experience. There are always scratch marks left over, and it is hard to reach every spot uniformly. I always use the polished WSF now, all my models are small enough for this. Possibly you can get it done by some company which owns a large vibratory tumbler? This is what Shapeways uses.
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| Re: Polishing WSF [message #47634 is a reply to message #47633 ] Sun, 29 April 2012 15:48 UTC |
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I doubt I'll be able to find anywhere that will be willing to polish just one item rather than a large number of items. So far I've sanded it down even more so now it smooth and I've just added a layer of resin to fill in the gaps hopefully that will give it a nice and polished look which will show up when the models spray painted.
[Updated on: Sun, 29 April 2012 15:48 UTC]
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| Re: Polishing WSF [message #47674 is a reply to message #47634 ] Mon, 30 April 2012 15:40 UTC |
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Here's a horribly misprinted model, before and after:
Before:
After;
Technique used:
1. Use a fine-grain metal file. This rids the surface of the artefacts, leaving just a horribly grooved surface. Use a rats-tail file to add some curves if need be.
2. Use an emery board backed with a metal file to make it less rough. First coarse, then fine. This takes a loooooonnnggg time.
3. Use Aeromodelling fine-grain filling putty to cover the surface as thinly as you can.
Then use a flat-bladed craft knife to scrape most off.
4. Paint PVA glue on. Wait one day till dry
5. Repeat sanding with fine emery board. This leaves a finish a lot smoother than unpolished WSF. The putty/PVA mix fills the gaps in the WSF surface quite nicely.
6. Paint with gloss varnish. This will make the surface glassy smooth.
Steps 1 & 2 can be omitted if there are no flaws. Step 2 takes up more time than the rest put together, we're talking several hours for 3-4 cm squared.
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| Re: Polishing WSF [message #48177 is a reply to message #47674 ] Thu, 10 May 2012 08:50 UTC |
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I can't seen any pictures, Zoe Brain, And i'd love to see them, sounds like a promising process.
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