What have shampoo, toothpaste and modelling in common? Well, nothing, really. 

I, myself am an 18 year old ex-student, waiting for good a job, and with eyes for modelling on the cheap, as I need to avoid spending money.

Sheet ‘styrene? I wish I could have some, or at least I did.

Whilst using a certain popular dental product, and disposing of said empty tube, I had a wild idea – can one use this on models?

I mean, I have an old occidental 1/48 fiat G86 Gina (disguised as a Heller kit), some tiger decals, but no after-market options upon which to rely, a poo(r) seat and wheel wells that look like they’ve been made on an ‘etch-a-sketch’!! 

Enter the toothpaste- …so I fished the tube out of the bin and cut it open, leaving me with a flat peace of soft, thin plastic, and minty-fresh fingers.

Hey presto!- seat belts!

One can even scribe detail onto them, using a scalpel. 

Some days later- shampoo bottles! –the ideal substitute for sheet ‘styrene. 

I’m a happy bunny now- super detailing my cockpit and wheel wells with shampoo and toothpaste tubes

If only I had an airbrush…… 

David

North-west England

Photos and text © 2004 by David Jones