Paper Hardener

[OgdenBob]

Great tip John! Definitely going to give it a try. Thanks!

Bob

[zubie]

wow, I thought everybody did this. I've been using cheap nail polish and nail clear to harden a big static rocket project for a while now. The shades are irrelevant because the whole thing is meant to be sprayed silver in the end anyway. I wanted a real smooth finish without seams which has required some fill. The polish is nice because it helps control the pilling at the edges of the fills when sanding and easy to use (comes with its own applicator). It's not that expensive as it's basically what was bought on clearance.
Example:
Sorry it's overexposed. Details are that cone detail on the left is just the cardstock, the right shows the cone filled and sanded and attached to the fin. Gold nail polish was used.

[airdave]

Originally Posted by Zakopious

Nitrocellulose is extremely flammable.
The stiffener could potentially cause a model to become a fire hazard.

I'm sorry...I know you meant well...I get your point...but....

LOL I laughed out loud when I read this.
The idea of making paper flammable by adding a coating.

As if paper doesn't already burn!
LOL
My entire house is a fire hazard since I started building paper models!!!

[at6]

Originally Posted by whulsey

Good tip plus a lot cheaper. Was thinking about heading out to Big Lots in a bit anyway since I was running out of nail polish remover (acetone) and needed a couple of more nail files (sanding sticks).

You still buy sanding sticks? I make my own with popsicle sticks and sand paper. I take a popsicle stick and glue what ever wet or dry sand paper grit I need to it using all purpose house hold glue. I'm going to go to Walmart soon to get an assortment of grits so that I can make some up some 2500 grit sticks.

[Zakopious]

Originally Posted by airdave

I'm sorry...I know you meant well...I get your point...but....

LOL I laughed out loud when I read this.
The idea of making paper flammable by adding a coating.

As if paper doesn't already burn!
LOL
My entire house is a fire hazard since I started building paper models!!!

All I am asking is that you try burning a strip of paper which has been hardened with nitrocellulose to see if there is a difference in the rate that it burns.
Paper burns slowly.
Nitrocellulose (guncotton) burns in a flash.

[CMDRTED]

wasn't nitrocellulose used in film making, hense the explosive qualities that made for a great weapon in inglorious bastards? thus ending WW2 in one fell swoop, freeing up hans Langdon to become various villains in spectre and tarzan?

[Deepshark]

For flying models I have found that Uhu All Purpose Clear does a decent job of hardening the surface, if permitted to dry completely. It does not contribute to the flying weight, which is a good thing.

[Zakopious]

The Cleveland Clinic fire of 1929 killed 123 people.
It was caused by the ignition of nitrocellulose x-ray film.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clevel...c_fire_of_1929

[a380]

can't remember the last time i read about women's nails catching fire due to this product.

[whulsey]

Originally Posted by at6

You still buy sanding sticks? I make my own with popsicle sticks and sand paper. I take a popsicle stick and glue what ever wet or dry sand paper grit I need to it using all purpose house hold glue. I'm going to go to Walmart soon to get an assortment of grits so that I can make some up some 2500 grit sticks.

I find they're cheap enough at Big Lots plus I like that they're on a foam backing, that its not worth the time to make my own