Humbrol Model Filler

[Eaglecliff]

I bought a tube of Humbrol Model Filler from Hobbycraft (which may, or may not, be relevant) not that long ago, and am not sure whether it is a) normal, b) abnormal or c) very old?
The grey contents of the tube are extremely reluctant to leave the comfort of their metallic surroundings, such that I have to use extreme pressure to get anything out of the nozzle at all, to the extent that I go in fear and dread of the tube literally bursting under my efforts to extract its contents. When a few millimetres of the stuff can eventually be persuaded to emerge before my thumbs give out and I start to look for a handy hammer, brick or vice, they are reluctant to go anywhere they are intended to finish up, don’t want to go into cracks or holes, or stick to whatever surface is their intended destination, or indeed anywhere else. They seem determined to dry out on contact with the air, break up, escape from the screwdriver or whatever is encouraging them to adopt their new home, and generally misbehave before expiring.
So is the answer a, b, or c?

 

[maxi-model]

Probably C but possibly B, no way A. However even old stock should be OK if properly sealed. I have recently just used up the last of my Italeri skim filler (similar product) and that was 30 years old and worked fine. However my 20 year old tube of Max Meyer skim filler was starting to display the same characteristics to your Humbrol make recently. It went in the bin.

 

[Eaglecliff]

Probably C but possibly B, no way A. However even old stock should be OK if properly sealed. I have recently just used up the last of my Italeri skim filler (similar product) and that was 30 years old and worked fine. However my 20 year old tube of Max Meyer skim filler was starting to display the same characteristics to your Humbrol make recently. It went in the bin.

My thoughts too. If asked for my opinion of A Certain Shop, I would have to say that I find their general range unsuited to most of my hobbies, their stock in my specific modelling area (sticking bits of wood together in a different order) lamentably sparse and very expensive, and stock no better online. Knitting, cakes and fancy stuff, fine, but bring back local model railway shops! (If only...)

 

[Rhinochugger]

C for defo - gotta be extremely old

I've used this product occasionally, so have a part opened tube which, at the last test some months ago, was working well, but it's still the original tube.

Shame, 'cos it's actually a good product.

 

[maxi-model]

Just a point of note - These hobby fillers are not really suitable for any "deep" filling work, just to fill to hide where molded plastic model parts join. If you are filling wood and the joins between parts then a regular wood filler might be better, and cheaper. For "deep" (more than 1 mm) I would use a two pack filler like Isopon P38 and finish off after initial sanding with a skim filler or high build filler type primer (as one would with the coarser wood fillers). Max

 

[Rhinochugger]

Just a point of note - These hobby fillers are not really suitable for any "deep" filling work, just to fill to hide where molded plastic model parts join.

That's why the tubes hang around so long

 

[Portsladepete]

My tube was the same, if I was to need some more, think I would go with Milliput this time. The only advantage I found with the Humbrol stuff was that adding polystyrene glue makes it more spreadable for a few milliseconds

 

[Rhinochugger]

My tube was the same, if I was to need some more, think I would go with Milliput this time. The only advantage I found with the Humbrol stuff was that adding polystyrene glue makes it more spreadable for a few milliseconds

Humbrol products seem to have become something less than reliable since Hornby got hold of them. Their acrylic paints are pants, and either the formula for the filler has been changed, or there's been some stockpiling back at the warehouse.

I used to be able to get free Milliput (too long a story for here) but found it far less easy to work than the Humbrol.

 

[beavercreek]

Humbrol products seem to have become something less than reliable since Hornby got hold of them. Their acrylic paints are pants,

Totally agree, I only use their enamel paints, which are still good and the colour lasts with good UV resistance (just as well as my 'peeps' and the buildings and some rolling stock (that may have had some paint applied all stay outside all year around)).
I have just done a repaint of about a third of my peeps (the rest are for next year and the next etc.
They will finally get a Testors dulcote spray to take away any shine
I also use Revell acrylics and Tamiya