I am building an old "Quality Craft" wooden model car kit. This is my first endeavour at a wooden model and am not familiar with the many new products available. Specifically I am looking for a filler for the wood and a sealer for painting.. It looks like basswood and balsa. I will be using acrylic paint via an airbrush. What should I use in these applications?
Not sure if I would use a wood filler on a bass wood kit. Wood fillers are intended to fill the open pores in oak or mahogany. Basswood doesn't have open pores needing a wood filler. I've never used filler on a wood kit.
For smoothing over those rough spots, dings, gouges, and filling the seams that didn't fit so well, spackling compound or plastic wood, both from the hardware store are good. Or "Squadron Green" body filler from the hobby shop.
For a primer/sealer/first coat something thin and transparent to keep the color from sinking too deeply into the grain is good. Shellac works fine, dries fast so the dust has less time to settle in it. If you don't have any shellac, thinned down varnish or clear Minwax will work too.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com