Help needed with Cracking?

Stencil · 10-12-2011, 03:55 PM

So I had an artist put together my gremlin which can be seen in it's entirety on my prop collection page, but today when I was looking at it, I think I noticed two cracks (?).

I'm not an artist or that handy really, so I'm wondering what can/should be done.

The shipping out to the artist was 70 dollars last time so sending it back isn't really an option. Of course, I could do it I guess. But is/are there any quick fixes?

Will it get worse? It's not really on a stressed piece, but it is on the same place on each shoulder.

I attached two pics. Any help would be awesome. Thanks so much. You all rock!!!

Bizarro Lois · 10-13-2011, 06:20 AM

What material is that?

Stencil · 10-13-2011, 06:24 AM

It's a plastic resin model. The artist replied back to an email and suggested what he said was an easy fix. He said I should get a thick cyanoacrylate(ca)glue from a hobby store and an accelerator. He said that I should put a thin amount along the seam,spread it as thin with my finger,press together(gently), and then hit it with accelerator. Does this sound like it would be a good fix everyone?

dwarf · 10-13-2011, 12:49 PM

No I don,t think so if you use it wrong the accelerator will make the cyanoacrylate turn out white

klamathpro · 10-14-2011, 12:43 AM

Don't use CA. It will turn white. And you finger will stick to it! That was crazy stupid advise. If it's a visual crack only, use something safer like Elmer's if you only want to fill it with your finger. If it's structural, try a toothpick and clear epoxy.

Robiwon · 10-14-2011, 11:02 AM

I would take some clear five minute epoxy and mix in a little acrylic paint. Mix it until you get as close a match to the paint job as you can. Take a toothpick or something small and fill the crack in. Do not squeeze together. Should be almost impossible to see if you mix the color right.

The problem with putting any type of glue in there and then squeezing it together is that it is going to squish the glue out and leave a ridge of glue sticking up. That would requre sanding and repainting. Plus, depending on what glue was used it could damage the existing paint.

Vos · 10-14-2011, 01:58 PM

If it were me, I'd squirt some super-runny CA in it, activate it, clean up the join and repaint. If you don't want to do any repaint, then like the others said....don't use CA.

msisaac · 10-14-2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robiwon

I would take some clear five minute epoxy and mix in a little acrylic paint. Mix it until you get as close a match to the paint job as you can. Take a toothpick or something small and fill the crack in. Do not squeeze together. Should be almost impossible to see if you mix the color right.

The problem with putting any type of glue in there and then squeezing it together is that it is going to squish the glue out and leave a ridge of glue sticking up. That would requre sanding and repainting. Plus, depending on what glue was used it could damage the existing paint.

Completely agree with this advice. Go to your nearest home improvement center and pick up some 5 minute epoxy. That stuff is ridiculously strong (like 2500 pounds/sq inch) and the 5 minute dry time gives you time to mix the paint in to color match as close as possible. I've used this method to repair a shattered Superman statue I had bought and you can't even see the cracks any longer.

		Replica Props	Screen Used Props	Replica Costumes	Sculpture and Makeup	General Modeling	Studio Scale Models	Movie Discussion
	Collaborate, create, and collect at the internet's largest community dedicated to props, costumes and models.

10-12-2011, 03:55 PM	#1
Stencil Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 141	Help needed with Cracking? So I had an artist put together my gremlin which can be seen in it's entirety on my prop collection page, but today when I was looking at it, I think I noticed two cracks (?). I'm not an artist or that handy really, so I'm wondering what can/should be done. The shipping out to the artist was 70 dollars last time so sending it back isn't really an option. Of course, I could do it I guess. But is/are there any quick fixes? Will it get worse? It's not really on a stressed piece, but it is on the same place on each shoulder. I attached two pics. Any help would be awesome. Thanks so much. You all rock!!! Attached Thumbnails

10-13-2011, 06:20 AM	#2
Bizarro Lois Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Where the sidewalk ends Posts: 1,123	Re: Help needed with Cracking? What material is that?

10-13-2011, 06:24 AM	#3
Stencil Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 141	Re: Help needed with Cracking? It's a plastic resin model. The artist replied back to an email and suggested what he said was an easy fix. He said I should get a thick cyanoacrylate(ca)glue from a hobby store and an accelerator. He said that I should put a thin amount along the seam,spread it as thin with my finger,press together(gently), and then hit it with accelerator. Does this sound like it would be a good fix everyone?

10-13-2011, 12:49 PM	#4
dwarf Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: I,m living in the small town called Delft yes the in the Netherlands Posts: 24	Re: Help needed with Cracking? No I don,t think so if you use it wrong the accelerator will make the cyanoacrylate turn out white

( Don't want to see advertising between posts? Register for free and become a member of our community! )
RPF Sponsors

10-14-2011, 12:43 AM	#5
klamathpro Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 35	Re: Help needed with Cracking? Don't use CA. It will turn white. And you finger will stick to it! That was crazy stupid advise. If it's a visual crack only, use something safer like Elmer's if you only want to fill it with your finger. If it's structural, try a toothpick and clear epoxy.

10-14-2011, 11:02 AM	#6
Robiwon Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Danville KY Posts: 1,092	Re: Help needed with Cracking? I would take some clear five minute epoxy and mix in a little acrylic paint. Mix it until you get as close a match to the paint job as you can. Take a toothpick or something small and fill the crack in. Do not squeeze together. Should be almost impossible to see if you mix the color right. The problem with putting any type of glue in there and then squeezing it together is that it is going to squish the glue out and leave a ridge of glue sticking up. That would requre sanding and repainting. Plus, depending on what glue was used it could damage the existing paint.

10-14-2011, 01:58 PM	#7
Vos Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: London Posts: 2,381	Re: Help needed with Cracking? If it were me, I'd squirt some super-runny CA in it, activate it, clean up the join and repaint. If you don't want to do any repaint, then like the others said....don't use CA.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Repainting CT sonic in Oz... asking for advice on cracking and use of Derivan paints	theobeau	Replica Movie Props	17	11-29-2011 05:12 PM
Cracking Open the MR Falcon to fix front LED. SEE POST #16 AND #17... IT'S THE BASE.	jvasilatos	Studio Scale Models	123	02-26-2011 08:26 PM
Illusive Yoda cracking	helmethead833	Replica Movie Props	27	04-19-2008 10:30 PM
SDS Stunt Helmet yellowing & cracking	Jediwannabe	Replica Movie Props	152	04-25-2006 05:15 PM