Hello,
I was wondering if some members could give me some advice on making rifle straps look realistic? Specifically the ones that are resin, like come in the Alpine kits. They are typically a straight piece of Resin. How do you make them curve and look like they are laying in a natural position. I assume they need to be heated but I'm having difficulty figuring out the best way. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hot water or hair dryer.

Thanks do you know where I could get some lead sheeting? I think I will try that route.

Buy yourself a nice bottle of wine with a cork covered in heavy foil. That is a great material and you can have a drink to celebrate your figure!

How about lead strip 1 mm or 2 mm wide?
Go to Troutcatchers:-
https://www.troutcatchers.co.uk/flat-lead-strip-c2x17503973

Cheers,
Andrew

Do you ever use tubes of Tomato or Garlic Puree ? If so when they're
finished, open them up with scissors, and clean. You'll then have a ready
supply of rifle straps, reins, or most other 'leather work'

Mike

I use the sort of heat gun aeromodellers use to get rid of the creases on their wings to soften the resin. However I much prefer using pewter sheet which is better than lead because the latter often develops 'lead disease' with age.

Mike

I have used heavy duty brown paper with success.

Depending on scale, I use the "Kabuki" type yellow masking tape (Tamiya do it in various widths). I double it on itself, cut a strip of the required width, and superglue it in place. That works well for smaller scales such as the Alpine kits you mention. For larger scale, pewter sheet or lead strip is good. Neither superglue very well though.

Phil

Heavier art paper works a treat ( I use water to soften it and pva to set it ) for straps but as said a hair drier will soften a resin strap and then gravity will do the rest