The Artificer's Studio

• ACCURIZE – To improve the accuracy of a model.


• ACRYLIC PAINT – Paint with its pigments suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion. This paint can be thinned with water and is often trimmed “water-based”.

• AFTERMARKET – Parts to replace parts included in the standard kit. These can include transfers detail parts, weapons, etc.

• AIRBRUSH – A miniature spray gun used to apply paint.

• ARTIST OILS – Fine-art paints. This paint dries slow but is easily blend and is often used for fine scale figures and washes.

• CELLUCLAY – Sculptable papier-mâché mix used for diorama and vignette ground-work.

• COMPRESSOR – Compresses air to power an air-brush.

• CONSTANT SCALE – Models created at a consistence scale (1/35, 1/72, etc.)

• CONVERSION – A model that has been modified to represent a variant or alternate subject.

• CUTAWAY

• CYANOACRYLATE – Generic name for fast-acting “super glues”. These are also referred to “CA” or “CYA”.

• DEBONDER – A liquid used to dissolve super glue.

• DECAL – Sometimes referred to “water-slid” decals. Thin transfers with water activated by water.

• DIORAMA – a “scene” sometimes including vehicles, figures and monstrous creatures.

• DRY BRUSH – Applying a small amount of paint with an almost dry paintbrush. An effective way to accent raised details or to add weathering.

• DRY FIT –Tests assembly without glue

• DRY TRANSFERS – Rarely used in tabletop games community. These decals are applied without water or solvents.

• EJECTOR-PIN MARK - Usually a small circular depression in injection molded plastic parts. These imperfections should be filled and removed.

• FS/ FEDERAL STANDARD –The Federal Colour System. Established in the mid-1950’s to regulate and standardize equipment and camouflage colours. This U.S. system uses a five digit number to identify paint colours.

• FILLER PUTTY – Used to fill gaps in model kits.

• FUTURE - A household floor care product used be modelers to enhance clear parts and to provide a high-gloss base for decals to help prevent silvering.

• INJECTION-MOLDED – The process where molten plastic is injected into molds for cooling and setting.

• KITBASH – Combining parts from multiple kits to create a unique model.

• LEAD FOIL – A thin, easily shaped metal foil used to model a variety of items, from purity seals to rifle slings. This is often found atop of wine bottles. So, drink up boys.

• LEDS – Light-emitting diodes. Used to light head-lights, interiors varies other applications. These lights produce very little heat.

• LINER BRUSH – A paint brush with long bristles and a fine point used to fine detail painting.

• LIQUID MASKING AGENT – Applied with a brush, this gel-like liquid dries and masks parts for oddly shaped items, the mask are peeled off after painting.

• METAL FOIL – Thin, self adhesive foil used to simulate metal finishes, including chrome, aluminum, and brass, among others. Metal foil is often used a mask on clear parts.

• MICROSSALE MICROSET – Setting solution used to aid transfers to conform to a model’s surface. Applied before the transfer is added.

• MICROSSALE MICROSOL – Setting solution used to aid transfers to conform to a model’s surface. Applied after the transfer is added.

• MILLIPUT – Two-part epoxy resin putty. Often used for sculpting and gap filling.

• MULTIMEDIA – A model with parts from multiple materials (plastic, resin, metal, etc).

• OPTIVISOR – A stereoscopic magnifier worn on the head to improve close-up vision.

• OVERSPRAY – The bane of the spray can cowboy. Paint that accidentally lands beyond or over the intended location.

• PASTELS – Ground colouring matter compressed into chalk-like sticks. Ground-up pastels are often used as weathering effects.

• PHOTOETCHED METAL – Thin metal details produced through a combination and chemical processes.

• PIGMENT – coloured powder normal mixed with oil or water to produced paint. They can also be used as a weathering medium.

• PINVISE – A handle with a small chuck.

• RAZOR SAW – a fine-toothed saw.

• RESIN – Two-part urethane that can be used for low-volume part casting.

• RIVET COUNTER – A loving term for detailed-obsessed modelers.

• SCALE – The proportion a model bears relative to the full-size object it represents.

• SCRATCHBUILT – A model (or component) constructed “from scratch” and not from a kit.

• SCRIBE – Generally, using a pointed tool to crave a line into the model’s surface.

• SILVERING – The cloudy area that appears around or under incorrectly applied or defective transfers.

• SINK HOLE / MARK – Molded styrene parts that cool incorrectly can be marred by sink marks.

• SPRAYBOOTH / VENT HOOD – A booth fitted with an exhaust fan to remove harmful vapors from paint, adhesives and other noxious material and supplies.

• STYRENE – Compound used in the manufacturing of plastics and synthetic rubber. Generally plastic kit parts are made of styrene.

• SUPERDETAILED – A model that has been detailed (often with many additional parts) to the highest standards of detail and accuracy.

• VIGNETTE – a smaller version of a diorama.

• WEATHER – The process of simulating the appearance of wear and tear, and battle damage on a model.

• WET – OR – DRY SANDPAPER – Sandpaper with a water-resistant backing. Can be used wet or dry without damaging the backing.

• WHITE METAL – A light metal alloy (which may contain tin, lead or pewter) used for model casting.