Order of build

This may seem pretty daft to you guys but I would appreciate advice on the best order of build.

I think it goes something like this:

Wash all parts, assemble, apply primer, paint as required, varnish, apply decals, varnish, stand back in admiration!

Is there a better way? I appreciate that some parts require painting before assembly.

Build, Primer, pre shade, colour coats, gloss were decals going,apply and seal in decals, weather (pigments, pastels, washes, dry brush, etc). Build base; attach model to base, build and paint figures; attach to base.

Stand back and criticise my own efforts for been poor for a few days, put in clear box and hide away from the rest of the world.

Song in that lot somewhere

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Wash all parts, assemble, apply primer, paint as required, varnish, apply decals, varnish, stand back in admiration!Is there a better way? I appreciate that some parts require painting before assembly.

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After applying the primer and it has dried, check over the parts for visible seams and other 'faults'. rub down / sand as needed and give it a bit more primer.

You can as Steve pointed out get away with gloss varnish only where the decals will go, Some kits, depending what the subject, it will be easier to just gloss coat the lot.

Preshade and weathering, I think you can give a miss on the rocket. They where spotless when they went up. Also its best to learn how to walk before you run, if you know what I mean.

Other than that I think you have it sussed

Ian M

I find the priming, assembling and painting vary in order depending on the model, for instance for aircraft you would often do all that for the cockpit before starting on the rest of the plane.

Read the instructions carefully and if it makes life easier to paint parts or sub assemblies before final assembly do so.

and as Steve says then we stand back and criticise our efforts (its what we all do) :D

One thing to do is read the instructions, sounds daft but in doing so it means you can start on only the bits you need at the time-I have made the mistake of getting bits off and faffing to only end up confused. Your system seems okay, most modelers will find out what works and a method that suits them in assembly. Some pre-paint on the sprue, especially small parts, some don't, depends on how steady you are and what you're comfortable with. Main thing is not to rush, take your time and walk away if it is being a pain-it isn't going anywhere.

Si

I do it like this

Wash parts , pick up instructions look at first four illustrations get bored start assembly notice you have missed a step pull hair out shouting at instructions for being stupid pull model apart put piece you missed in assemble parts again , repeat these steps two more times realise your builds rubbish put it on here get encouragement still think it's rubbish put in a cupboard start again :D

Or you could do as people have mentioned above

Many thanks for all your advice, itching to get started now (waiting for adhesive that I have just ordered).

The process seems to me to be similar to building an Ikea double wardrobe. Looks good in the shop but when you get it home discover the instructions are clearly wrong, obviously having been written by a dyslexic imbecile with the intelligence of swamp algae.

\ said:

This may seem pretty daft to you guys but I would appreciate advice on the best order of build.I think it goes something like this:

Wash all parts, assemble, apply primer, paint as required, varnish, apply decals, varnish, stand back in admiration!

Is there a better way? I appreciate that some parts require painting before assembly.

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Keith ........ The most important thing.......... No question on here is ever "daft", "stupid" or otherwise ............ Not one of us are experts. We are all learning as we go along .......

Peter

I have finally started. Having just finished stage 1 of my Apollo Saturn V rocket I felt quite pleased with myself, it's my first model well underway! I showed my wife and you know what she said...." Is that it? Looks like a toilet roll holder." Sob.

lol keith my missus would of said something like that she's always calling mine toys or says another PHD [ projects half done ]

\ said:

I have finally started. Having just finished stage 1 of my Apollo Saturn V rocket I felt quite pleased with myself, it's my first model well underway! I showed my wife and you know what she said...." Is that it? Looks like a toilet roll holder." Sob.

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Looks like when it's built you should hang it in the bog.

Si

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Looks like when it's built you should hang it in the bog.Si

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Gives a whole new meaning to blast off!

I put together as much as I can without priming

Then wash. Then fill before priming. Only then when all of that is finished do I prime. Then leave the prime coat at least 24 hrs or more if not impatient. You will then have hard finish to wet and dry to get shot of any imperfections before the finishing coats.

Leave off any pieces which are small which are going to get knocked off until the last moment you can. These small pieces you can always hand brush when they are fitted.

This is only general as said above as it depends on circumstances completely and not one model is the same as the next. The paint scheme has to be taken into account in sequencing.

Even experienced model makers as you will see form the build section have different ideas on building the same model.

On mentioning the Build Section you will probably learn more by looking at the build of a similar or same model as that you are building.

But like us all you will be caught out and say why on earth did i do that. Par for the course.

Laurie

Don't forget dry assembly first, to check for faults.