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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: silly moo on June 29, 2020, 03:35:39 PM

Title: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: silly moo on June 29, 2020, 03:35:39 PM
Newer Farish models come wrapped in a very lightweight, smooth, slightly opaque, silky plastic. It's a sort of synthetic tissue paper. I'd like to try and get some more of it but have no idea what it's called.

Internet searches using what I thought were the right terms haven't yielded any results. Does anyone know what its proper name is?

Regards

Veronica


:NGaugersRule:
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: NGS-PO on June 29, 2020, 04:19:38 PM
If you mean the white sleeve the boxes come in, to stop the transparency being scratched, I think it's just tissue paper, Veronica.  Like the stuff they use in gift shops, etc.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastics-White-Tissue-Paper-450mm/dp/B004KR7E1M (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastics-White-Tissue-Paper-450mm/dp/B004KR7E1M)

Best

Scott.
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: woodbury22uk on June 29, 2020, 04:21:21 PM
I think this is the stuff :-

https://www.rajapack.co.uk/protective-packaging/foam-packaging/foam-wrap-sheets_PDT01273.html (https://www.rajapack.co.uk/protective-packaging/foam-packaging/foam-wrap-sheets_PDT01273.html)
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: silly moo on June 29, 2020, 04:28:09 PM
The stuff that Woodbury has suggested is just about right but the one I’m really after has an oily, silky feel to it. It isn’t paper but plastic.
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: joe cassidy on June 29, 2020, 04:30:52 PM
Hi Ronnie.

Try searching for "non woven", "synthetic paper", "Tyvek".

Best regards,


Joe
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: jpendle on June 29, 2020, 04:35:37 PM
Quote from: joe cassidy on June 29, 2020, 04:30:52 PM
Hi Ronnie.

Try searching for "non woven", "synthetic paper", "Tyvek".

Best regards,


Joe

That's used for wrapping houses over here  :goggleeyes:

John P
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: silly moo on June 29, 2020, 05:10:56 PM
It's very smooth and lightweight, like cling film but slightly opaque and not sticky at all.
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: emjaybee on June 29, 2020, 05:24:32 PM
Quote from: silly moo on June 29, 2020, 05:10:56 PM
It's very smooth and lightweight, like cling film but slightly opaque and not sticky at all.

You mean the thin sheet of 'plastic' that the actual models lays in, inside the foam packing.

Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: The Q on June 29, 2020, 06:48:30 PM
It's most likely potato starch plastic,  a "green" replacement for real plastic.  It's 100% renewable recyclable and if binned dissolves in 10 weeks not centuries..
Some magazines are sent out in it..
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: silly moo on June 29, 2020, 07:20:39 PM
Emjaybee has mentioned the stuff I mean, and I think from The Q's description, it could very well be potato starch plastic. The stuff the Farish models come in lasts a few years at least. Hornby and Dapol use it as well as an 00 model I bought recently was wrapped in it.

The reason I wanted to get some more was that it seems to be very suitable for wrapping models in as it is extremely soft, much softer than normal tissue paper. I assume that it doesn't damage paintwork otherwise the manufacturers wouldn't use it.
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: chrism on June 29, 2020, 07:33:37 PM
Quote from: silly moo on June 29, 2020, 07:20:39 PM
The reason I wanted to get some more was that it seems to be very suitable for wrapping models in as it is extremely soft, much softer than normal tissue paper. I assume that it doesn't damage paintwork otherwise the manufacturers wouldn't use it.

It's probably not so much the softness as being less abrasive than wood-based tissue paper.
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: emjaybee on June 29, 2020, 08:44:24 PM
The beauty of it is that it's strong enough to lift a model out, but soft enough not to damage it.

@silly moo (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=279) have you thought of asking Bachmann?
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: njee20 on June 29, 2020, 08:49:38 PM
I know the exact stuff you mean, and it is good. Do Revolution use it too? I vaguely recall they do, so Ben or Mike may know.
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: honestjudge on June 29, 2020, 09:03:33 PM
Send an email to Bachman
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: silly moo on June 30, 2020, 12:24:50 AM
I have contacted Bachmann, let's see if they know its name.
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: NGS-PO on June 30, 2020, 08:40:09 AM
Quote from: silly moo on June 29, 2020, 07:20:39 PM
Emjaybee has mentioned the stuff I mean, and I think from The Q's description, it could very well be potato starch plastic. The stuff the Farish models come in lasts a few years at least. Hornby and Dapol use it as well as an 00 model I bought recently was wrapped in it.

The reason I wanted to get some more was that it seems to be very suitable for wrapping models in as it is extremely soft, much softer than normal tissue paper. I assume that it doesn't damage paintwork otherwise the manufacturers wouldn't use it.

Apologies, I know what you mean now.  When you said tissue paper I thought you meant the white paper sleeve the boxes are wrapped in, but I understand now.

Best

Scott.
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: silly moo on June 30, 2020, 10:03:58 AM
I have just had reply from Bachmann, they refer to it as PU film, and a quick google shows that it is used extensively in the medical field for wound dressings.

It seems to come in varying thicknesses so more googling is required.
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: emjaybee on June 30, 2020, 10:14:17 AM
One step closer tho'.
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: silly moo on July 02, 2020, 10:37:12 AM
After much googling I have come to the conclusion that PU film is available in large quantities for industrial use but not something you can buy in small quantities from eBay or amazon.

This topic has proved very useful because some of the alternatives that were suggested will be just as useful.
Title: Re: What is this plastic stuff called?
Post by: emjaybee on July 02, 2020, 11:00:34 AM
Maybe that's the way to go. Buy a Big chunk, resell it in smaller quantities on FleaBay and pay for your next loco from the profit.