woodfiller

[Vinnie]

I was after sanding, I was using woodfiller on the first layer of planking but it was difficult (at least for me) to get a really smooth finish and it required a lot of sanding. I decided to dilute the wood filler so that It could be painted on. It worked perfect and the results was fantastic. after applying several layers The result was a very even coat for me to sand. There is a couple of things I would recommend before applying it to your model. First If you want it to dry faster use a solvent based filler. I you don't mind the wait use a water based filler. secondly take a small piece of wood to experiment with the dilution amount you like to fill in the openings. I don't know if anyone else tried this. If you have let us know what your experience was.
thanks for reading and I hope this was helpful.
Vinnie

 

[Kurt Konrath]

No I have not, but I will remember this process. I have added filler and then scraped bulk excess off before it dried. Helped somewhat in amount of sanding.

 

[Relic]

I was after sanding, I was using woodfiller on the first layer of planking but it was difficult (at least for me) to get a really smooth finish and it required a lot of sanding. I decided to dilute the wood filler so that It could be painted on. It worked perfect and the results was fantastic. after applying several layers The result was a very even coat for me to sand. There is a couple of things I would recommend before applying it to your model. First If you want it to dry faster use a solvent based filler. I you don't mind the wait use a water based filler. secondly take a small piece of wood to experiment with the dilution amount you like to fill in the openings. I don't know if anyone else tried this. If you have let us know what your experience was.
thanks for reading and I hope this was helpful.
Vinnie

Would be helpful to know what brand or type of woodfiller you used (oil based filler?), including type of solvent. For example VM&P Naphtha, Ketone, or Acetone etc.
Hopefully you were following your solvent's safety ventilation directions.
I've also found storing the tins upside down after proper selling, extends shelf life. Meaning it keeps the solvent trapped within the can for longer.

 

[seadeep]

Sounds like you apply wood filler like I used to apply drywall compound when doing home renovations... in other words... way too much, and then spend hours sanding down the overfill. I'm not saying that negatively, it's just an observation based on what I've done previously and I feel your pain. Now, like another member noted, I just use a water based interior grade wood filler straight from Home Depot, and use flexible plastic spatulas and scrapers to remove most of the excess before sanding. I model the curve of the hull from the plans to form shaped 3D scrapers which I then print for use on the kit. That way I minimize the filler, but also don't introduce flat areas that might occur had I used a conventional filler spatula. I seldom end up with any significant gaps after first layer planking, but it does happen occasionally, and I really appreciate you sharing how you thinned filler to deal with that. Something to add to my notebook of "stuff to remember". Thank you for sharing the tips!