June 23, 2026 BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting Report

Featured Discussion: Glue, paint, thinner, pigments, Liquid Gravity, whatever - tell us what you do to prevent spills, protect your work bench from spills and contain/clean up spills.  

Ten people attended. Turnout was good for last Friday's Vertical Flight theme contest. Of the 37 models on the tables, 30 were for the contest. Photos are on the BPMS Facebook page. Winners' names will appear in the next Bulletin. 

Lou reports Airfix's 1/24 Bf 109 G5/G6 and 1/48 Sepicat Jaguar GR.1/GR.1A (new kit) are available. 

Even though the official opening date is 7/10/26, a group went to Wiseguys Hobbies at their new location in Plainview, LI, where Bobby found that trash bags full of cheap kits in busted-up boxes constitute an offer that can't be refused. 

Frank C shared photos of the IPMS Region 1 Noreastcon 53, held in Henretta, NY on 6/13/26. There were around 700 entries, lots of Gundam, Spacecraft and Cars. Julio was there, too. And he placed. Congrats, Julio. A link to his show photos is on the BPMS Facebook page. 

Michael C's problems painting polyethylene got us to talk about options to prepare soft plastic for painting.  

We saw Simon's 3D printed 1/18 scale LA-7, Gil's 3D printed 1/10 scale Alita Battle Angel and motorcycle, and Frank C's Phantom II. 

 

Hugh was pleased to acquire a 3D printed Wright R2600 engine and Frank C was glad to find reasonably priced Gunzie Aqueous Paints. 

This week's tool was a hollow punch set. Gil uses them on wine bottle foil to make reflectors for headlights, which he fills with UV curing resin. A 3/16" disk approximates a 1/25 scale auto headlight. With the demise of MV Lenses a few years ago, punches may be the best way to make lights for vehicles.

Tips on spill prevention and control - Use a Forstner bit to drill shallow holes in a 2x4 to hold bottles in an upright position. Don't have tools? Find a centerpiece tealight holder at a home decor store. Citadel, among others, have anti-spill paint pods. Look online. Or, if you're the DIY type, tape the bottle to an old jar lid with double faced tape. Many people use kraft paper, newspaper, or a silicone mat to protect their work surface. Spills are easily removed from tempered glass or metal work surfaces. Using pipettes or a syringe to load an airbrush is safer than pouring directly from a bottle. 

The next meeting is Tuesday, 6/30/26, at 7:30. Invites to follow. Hope you can join us. 

 

~Russ