Simple Easy Methods To Fill Gaps & Seams When Building Scale Models

[@flightis3dollars]

Most helpful to make my modelling journey more enjoyable. Thanks and have a great 2025.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Happy new year!

[@rchan7136]

Couldn’t agree more this is the most suitable model for demonstration of filling the gaps. I’ve got one 😂

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

I am really enjoying this build! I will have the NMF video up soon. Be sure to subscribe so you are updated when the new video drops!

[@edgarpoe517]

So glad this got suggested on my feed. Thanks, from a long-time hack.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

I'm glad it helped!

[@ret737]

The CA tip is a great idea! Never tried that until now and works great! CA can be a PIA to sand if accelerator is used to speed drying but letting CA cure naturally in ambient temperature it sands nice. Thanks for the tip!

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad to help!

[@johncook1845]

Handy tip - Put your CA glue on candle top that has been slightly hollowed, the wax keeps the CA from setting extending your working time with your applicator.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Great tip! Be sure to subscribe to my channel to get the latest updates on my content.

[@Volsheb_Nik_Studio]

Thank you buddy, will give it a try!

[@woodybear8298]

Wax paper works great also.

[@mike-u5y7t]

I just started my first plane in decades. Having this info will make things easier.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad it helped!

[@mike-u5y7t]

@@StyreneModelersHaven Getting lots of info on KZbin. I'll be sure to watch more.

[@paulsawyer2326]

Your videos are a god send life saver. This help me in not stressing out how to apply techniques of whatnot. Your tips will make my builds alot easier.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

You are so welcome!

[@ronaldgirard7555]

I've dealt with these issues and never heard such simple remedies before. Thanks!

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thank you! Please sub to the channel. I am making a vid on a simple way to do natural metal finish.

[@jackiewaterhouse3352]

I've been building wooden model ships/boats--easy to find filler for wood. I like your idea for plastic model gaps--thank you! We use a homemade tool like this with a needle & dowel, wrapping the sharp needle end to the dowel, so the eye will hold more CA Glue. I use gaff tape to hold the needle tightly. When it gets "globby", just put it through the flame of a match or candle, and the glob on the needle will burn off; wipe the black soot and good to go again.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Great tips!

[@deeve_717]

Dude. That is an amazing tip, applying CA overtop perfect putty. I have had so much trouble making smooth transitions between putty and plastic. The putty just balls up and moves around cause it's not hard enough. Thanks.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad it helped! Please sub to my channel as i have more videos in the works!

[@joshuamurphy4928]

Great tips. Also you can remove the CA glue from your applicator by burning it off with a lighter. Burns off very quickly with a very small flame and leaves no residue.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Awesome tip! Thanks.

[@Calamity_Jack]

I'd just be sure to do that either outdoors (upwind of the fumes) or wear a respirator. Burning CA fumes are toxic.

[@OsamaBenFartin]

I love those skinny sanding sticks! When ends get worn down, I just snip them off with a scissors leaving a shorter, but like new sanding stick. 👍🏼

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Exactly what I do too!

[@WatchMysh]

Thumbs up for the diy glue looper. I'm already assembling one.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad I was able to help! Be sure to sub to my channel. I am making a how to for metal finishes.

[@thewaynesiewatsg]

Some really great ideas I have not heard anywhere else! And finally clarity on which CA glue to use :-)

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad it was helpful!

[@markrayton6385]

Great video. One of the best i have seen on gap filling. Some great tips. Thanks for sharing.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thanks so much! Be sure to sub to my channel, I will be dropping my next video in this series on now to do natural metal finishes that you can mask and handle!

[@johnmoran8805]

Good vid! Been using these methods for years with great success. Nice presentation.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Great to hear!

[@waynebrinker8095]

The use of silver paint to check for gaps is an old trick that somehow I completely forgot about. 👍

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad I could revive this old trick for you! Please subscribe to my channel as I am trying to build it and you will be notified when I do the next video.

[@deker0954]

A couple things I found extremely useful about assembling aircraft kits is to always paint interior bits before assembly and to use Elmer's glue on windscreens so they don't get smoked.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

great tips! I love all the ways us modelers can assemble models using different solutions. Please subscribe to my channel so you get notified when I post a new video!

[@justindunlap1235]

It's always fun watching your fingerprint appear on the inside of the canopy after you make the mistake of using ca glue for the canopy.

[@jesseosinski3310]

Wow!! This wuz EZ!!! Thanks for the info. Keep on keepin on!!

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thanks! Will do! Working on another video on how to mask fuselage bands easy!

[@xylicable]

Excellent video. Great tips. Would never have thought of using CA as a gap filler. Looking forward to your next vid on the B17. Thank you for uploading. D

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad you liked it! Be sure to subscribe if you have not already so you will be notified on the next vid.

[@alex-simpson]

I find sprue goo works best. Just dissolve a few offcuts of sprue in some plastic cement and you have a great gap filler

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Good tip! I see many modelers use this as a filler. Please sub to my channel as I have more vids coming!

[@alex-simpson]

@@StyreneModelersHaven subbed, thanks for the reply!

[@uxbridgeuk]

Milliput is my go to filler, especially as I do a lot of vac form models, and can be re-scribed easily if primed

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Respect! Vacform kits is a whole other kind of model building.

[@davidkendall1614]

Agree…Milliput Superfine white 👍

[@Calamity_Jack]

FYI, for more easily sanding smooth radiuses (like an airplane leading edge or fuselage), I found a tool by Flex-i-File called a sanding frame. It's a small U-shaped aluminum bar that holds a flexible sanding strip between the tips. The sanding strip is taut but has some give, making sanding curved surfaces a lot easier. If you're handy, you could probably make your own and then just buy sanding strip refill kits.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Awesome tool. I have one too!

[@Volsheb_Nik_Studio]

Yes, Flex-i-File is good. And today you have alternative tools from Wave, DSPIAE. Also ZEP System released tool for that. It looks a bit different, but is good one too

[@GaryCraven-kk3hj]

Tremendously informative video. I now have more tricks in my "toolbox",

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad it was helpful!

[@splitsandpens]

Great instruction on gap filling.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thanks for watching! Please subscribe to the channel if you haven't yet so you will be updated on the next installment of this series.

[@SvenTviking]

Miliput epoxy putty. It is water soluble before it is set and so can be “filed” with a damp rag.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Another good solution!

[@ondrejhadek5675]

Very usefull tips. I have simply been using Tamyas basic grey plastic putty and needed to do a lot of unnecesary sanding. The white acrylic stuff you are using seems much more easier to handle especially when you can easily clean the excess with water. I am pretty sure this will save me hours of unnecesary and annoying work in the future. Thank you very much.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad it helped! I love just wiping away excess putty. Please sub to my channel if you have not done so already.

[@ondrejhadek5675]

@@StyreneModelersHaven I did already and I already ordered the putty 😉

[@dbroadwayvfx]

I appreciate you've addressed it, but I have definitely had issues with CA glues being way too hard to sand once cured more than 24 hours. Much much harder than the surrounding plastic, and requires serious elbow grease to knock it down.

[@randomnickify]

Thats why "Tamiya CA Cement - Easy Sanding" exist ;)

[@dbroadwayvfx]

@@randomnickify I didn't know about that. I will look into it. Thanks!

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

I start with 400 grit sanding stick or paper and then move to 600 and 800. Sometimes wet sanding can help too. Have sanded several brands of CA this way with no issues. Hope that helps.

[@Jawst]

I 3D print all of my models and use a handheld 3D printing pen to fill in the gaps! Same material makes life super simple!!! Generally most 3D printing pens have a small ceramic nozzle which gets hot enough to melt plastic surrounding it, so when the plastic is extruded the two molten plastic parts become one 🫂 Also for sanding I use wooden coffee stirrers with sandpaper stuck onto the one side, flat surface makes it easy to remove material evenly!

[@leeedsonetwo]

Some very useful tips here, thanks.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad it was helpful!

[@raoulcruz4404]

I’ve had really good results with milliput.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Milliput is a great filler. Mine dried up some time ago otherwise I would have mentioned it. Thanks for the comment. Please sub to the channel. My next vid is all about natural metal finishes.😁

[@gavanwhatever8196]

At 3:44 you painted your scribe marks. What was the reason for that and what did you use?

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

That was Tamiya thin glue to help dissolve any remaining dust in the panel line. It's my go to glue for assembly and cleaning out plastic dust. This amzn.to/3hn4ZMO

[@mrcarlo1966]

Great tips …thank you.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

You are so welcome!

[@Womble-freestation66]

Great video. Very informative and direct to the point.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

I appreciate that! Be sure to subscribe so you get notified on the next video when I paint this B-17 in natural metal finish.

[@Womble-freestation66]

@@StyreneModelersHaven you're welcome. I have subscribed and I'm very much looking forward to watching your video on bare metal finish.

[@robertlundstrom8061]

Very good ideas!

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thank you! Sub to my channel, I have a Natural Metal Finish and painting checkerboard how to vids dropping soon!

[@PirateMTH_ToddH]

Great video and awesome advice. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thanks for watching! Please subscribe to the channel if you haven't yet so you will be updated on the next installment of this series.

[@stevesolomon7713]

Where do y'all get that black filter looking spongy-type material you stuff into cockpits and other wholes to block paint? I've been looking but can't find out what it is.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Usually comes with new electronics.

[@rastanz]

Great video! Thank you.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad you liked it!

[@knightsofrreee7961]

Good to know. I often use humbrol putty thinned down to a slurry using Tamiya extra thin cement. It's a pretty short working time you get with it , but it works well on smaller areas. Don't go mad with it though or you'll melt your model.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Great tip! I have done similar slurries with some of the other putties I have. Please sub to my channel as I am kinda new and still building my channel. Thanks!

[@steffenrosmus9177]

Make sure to work with that in an well ventialtet room the esther polymeres in the Tamiya thinner are very harmful.

[@ljscalemodels526]

cheers buddy helpful

[@Volsheb_Nik_Studio]

Nice video and is very close to how I do filling gaps too. CA is cool for many purposes. I tried Pefect Plastic putty and faced the same issue as you. So, your idea to put CA glue on top is very cool.! However I seen Mr White Putty R on your table as well and I wonder what you think about it and what are use cases for that for you today? Many thanks

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

I have tried most of the fillers and putties out there and I always come back the PPP and CA glue. This combination I find is easiest, predictable and long lasting.

[@kenshin73himura70]

Interesting. For years i been filling gaps with stretched spruce plastic. Streach to thickness of gap, add some Tamiya thin glue give it a second and shape with a toothpick. Minimal sanding required. Hope it helps too! 👍

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

That's a great idea!

[@kenshin73himura70]

@@StyreneModelersHaven *sprue . I just noticed. What can I say, I'm a product of Reaganomics 🤦🤣. This method works great. We get so much extra plastic, why waste it 😉.

[@Yves95128]

Hi, The problem with perfect plastic putty is that it dries in the tube pretty quickly and in my experience it works only in very thin gap (it shrinks a lot), I get the same result with cheap craft acrylic paint from Michaels. My filler of choice is Upol polyester glaze (for auto body), it's like a bondo but more liquid and easy to sand, it's cheap and it comes in an airtight "ketchup" type of bottle, with hardener, easy to use. I roughly mask around with house thick masking tape, it avoids unnecessary mess, specially in the panel lines and the thickness of the tape creates a thicker layer of filler to allow for light shrinking.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jesseosinski3310]

Wut is the name of the black sponge type stuff used to block the holes for priming???

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

That is packing foam found in most electronics boxes like laptops and stereos. It's a softer foam that is very sponge like.

[@The12348567]

Great viedo. Thanks for posting.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad you enjoyed it! Be sure to subscribe so you are notified when I get the next video up applying natural metal finish to the B-17.

[@soundknight]

2:52 this is a similar technique to wood working on curbed surfaces, a diagnostic rotation around the curve with a rasp.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thanks for the comment. did not know that! Please subscribe if you have not done so. I am trying to build my channel and could use all the support. Thank you.

[@soundknight]

@@StyreneModelersHaven already did. I like your tutorial it's very clearly delivered (tutorial style).

[@petermoran2204]

Thx for the tips 👍

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

You bet! Subscribe to my channel to be updated when new content drops!

[@gsr4535]

Good video! 👍

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thanks! 👍 Be sure to sub to the channel so you are updated when I drop my natural metal finish how to.

[@soundknight]

This is good advice, cheers

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thank you.

[@treyzmodels422]

Awesome tutorial 👍 I also like using flexible ca too

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Awesome! Thank you! Please subscribe to the channel if you have not done so already.

[@treyzmodels422]

@@StyreneModelersHaven oh yea! Been a sub for a while! Keep up the great content👍

[@stephenmcdonald7908]

Very useful video.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad you think so! Please sub to my channel if you have not done so already.

[@MightyCrazy]

I sometimes use extra sprues melted using tamiya glue.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Sprue Goo!

[@billmacfarlane8864]

Have you tried baking soda and CA glue for wide gaps?

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

I have in the past. I like styrene strips for larger gaps but CA with baking soda is a good alternative!

[@DaveyChainZ69]

Awesome! 👍

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thanks! Subscribe to my channel to get updates on all my scale model content.

[@scottmurphy650]

CA is a lot harder than styrene and it tends to crack when re-scribed. I have given up using putty or CA to fill seams and instead rely almost exclusively with sprue-goo.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad you found something that works for you.

[@DavidMarzola]

Great information and well presented. I did subscribe for future info. Can explain what a step is that mentioned as part of your gap identification? Not familiar with that turn.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thanks for watching and subscribing! A step is when two parts don't line up flush to each other when mated. In the video, the step I fixed was where the tail gunner part mated with the fuselage of the plane.

[@DavidMarzola]

@@StyreneModelersHaven thank you

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

@@DavidMarzola if you watch my video on priming the b-17 I explain what a step is in that video as well.

[@DavidMarzola]

Willd

[@DavidMarzola]

Will do

[@paulsmodels]

I almost always place tape on either side of a gap or seam I am filling, so there is less sanding envolved. I use Tamiya Putty White.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Great tip! Always a good way to go when you want to preserve detail near a seam. Thanks!

[@davidcole333]

My go to is Mr. Dissolved Putty, but there are situations I do go for the CA.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thanks for sharing! Mr Putty does work well. Be sure to subscribe to my channel so you are updated on the latest content from my channel!

[@tcandle695]

For larger gaps a mix of CA + baby powder makes a putty that dries hard and is sandable.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Totally! I have seen that done with baking soda as well. Please sub to my channel so you will be notified when I get my next video up.

[@jlcsr9163]

Please tell me those gaps were created on purpose or is that kit just that bad.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

The gaps on the Revell Bf110 were pretty bad.

[@michaeltrivette1728]

Green stuff is the way.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thanks for the tip.

[@michaeltrivette1728]

@@StyreneModelersHaven I actually use the superglue method more than I like to admit. Lol. That's probably 80 to 90 percent. Greenstuff is for those large canyons. Greenstuff goes on like playdouh and dries hard like steel. No shrinkage.

[@artnull13]

Ever use sprue goo?

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

I tried it a few times but had shrinkage issues as it dries and a few times it took a long time to dry but if you made it work then keep with it, no wrong way to fill gaps if it works for you. Subscribe to my channel to be updated when new content drops!

[@PotempaDental]

Who makes the Perfect Plastic Putty?? Good video.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Deluxe Materials: amzn.to/3OBeeFv

[@joseluiscastanorestrepo]

Good idea fill with super glue

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Glad you like it

[@Argyll9846]

Neat!

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thank you!

[@talgov01]

I ruined a Hasegawa 1/48 A7 with superglue. Left it too long before I sanded and it became harder than the surrounding plastic. I still use superglue, but sand within 5 minutes.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Good tip.

[@paulnicoll7431]

I use a very quick cheap and easy solution. Liquid paper/ correction fluid. And you can wipe it flat with a wet finger

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing. Please sub to my channel so you are updated on my new natural metal finish video dropping soon.

[@shutterfish]

Ever tried UV resin?

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Not yet. Have heard good things about it.

[@goforitpainting]

Cool video. I'm a new sub. ;)

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Thanks for the sub! I just got back from TX and made a video report of 3 hobby shops I visited that are all near the 2023 IPMS USA Nats. Be sure to check out the video too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/raG2kn2Altl1bqs

[@robertmunoz7543]

Your techniques are what we as model builders do to problem solve but I believe with newer designed kits & the 3D kits people get spoiled that parts will just fall together!🙄 Jman

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Good point! The newer kits have spoiled us a bit compared to the kind of work we used to have to put into building those older kits.

[@Themonkeyman-f6n]

I used to grind up clippings and fill gaps with it and glue😂

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

Good tip!

[@crackerbarrel6965]

So essentially there is no “easy and simple” method. We’re right back to using fillers, styrene and sanding sticks or pads. Ugh.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

I always look for ways to reduce the steps taken for the outcome I want.

[@mase7557]

Yes.

[@soundknight]

The music is annoying.

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

i will see what I can do. I am still a fairly new channel so my music options are limited to what ever I can find royalty free which is usually not that great.

[@youtmeme]

wait a sec....u prime ur model first, THEN fill in the gaps?!?!?🤔 would it help to fill in gaps first?

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

I fill as much as I can prior to priming. Then I apply primer to see the quality of the work and fill more as needed.

[@reubendobbs8011]

I just shave bits of sprue and jam it into the gap paint bit of liquid poly glue melt it in

[@StyreneModelersHaven]

An interesting approach. You should make a video of that process, I would love to see it. Subscribe to my channel for more scale model content as it updates!