Hi all

Over the years I've come across all kinds of complicated paint drying ovens, and I've even been silly enough to waste time myself on elaborate boxes with insulation, and a heat source...

So let me introduce to you this sophisticated piece of equipment as the heating element. It's far too complicated to explain here in any depth, but it's commonly sold under the trade-name of "a hot water bottle"!:



Sorry - the next stage is equally complex - grab a lidded-plastic container of sufficient size:



and put the lid on:



That's it! It works! And it cost a quid or so. As modellers, we're inclined to invent problems where they don't exist... speed-drying paint is quick, cheap and easy.

All the best

Rowan

Or, you could do what I keep doing. Run the paint through the airbrush at too high an air pressure. Then it will dry before it even hits the plastic.

Hi Mike

Yep! There is that alternative - speckled, but true! A great way for a grainy / textured finish straight from the airbrush.

Speed-drying (forced drying, in other parlance) works equally well for sprayed or brushed finishes after they are applied.

All the best

Rowan

Great tip Rowan, but I'm never going to fit 2 F-105 Thuds in there .
I have always found that if I need a quick dry paint, you can't go far wrong with sprayed Tamiya acrylics.
Andy

I just put the kit next to SWMBO and ask "So dear, what did your mother say today?"

When I wake up from my snooze, the hot air has dried the paint.

Could get the mother in law to breathe on it, although that would melt the plastic, and probably the brass too.
Top tip Rowan now I'll just need to explain to the kids why their bed is cold and they've to take their lunch
in a paper bag.

....oh just burst my stiches ...or something s running down my leg

aye
BARV
(GOSMG)

Nice long hair , and I found another use for my hair dryer !!!! works like a charm .

I usuall just let it dry. I know that is a really novel approach, but it works pretty good.

Have you melted any Dr.I's lately?

Hi Carl

A drier really pays off when using paints like Hannants Xtracolours, which are notoriously slow to dry (we're talking a day or more), and for speeding up oil paints. Along with a drop of Rustin's Driers (terebene):



you can reduce enamel drying-time down to that of acrylics. Of course, you can also use a drier to accelerate the curing of adhesives and fillers.

Have I ever melted anything? Well, this gives such a gentle heat that there's not much chance of that happening (it's far safer than a hair-drier).

All the best

Rowan

In this age of instant satisfaction, and electronic gadgetry, it's nice to see another use for the humble old fashion hot water bottle besides my aching joints.

I really like the hot water bottle. Dead simple and very effective.

besides, putting a wet model into a plastic container also protects it from dust while drying.

Excellent suggestion, I'll try it.

thanks


Bob