Post by hobbybobby on Jul 29, 2010 9:13:38 GMT -6
This one is important, and should probably be closer to the top of this list.
It is also an area where knowing your subject is a big help.
Kit instructions are written so that the parts are placed on the model in, usually, some sort of logical order.
The instructions frequently do not take into consideration the issues that exist in the real world.
Adding parts in a nice, orderly manner is fine but in the real world it doesn't always work out that way.
As an example, assume that you are building an airplane and the instructions tell you to add a bunch of antennae to the top of the model.
What do you suspect is going to happen to those antennae when you flip the model over on its back to work on the bottom?
Obviously they are going to get broken off.
Another example; while building a car the instructions tell you to install the windshield early in the build.
What are you going to do when it comes time to paint the body?
Obviously you are going to have to mask the windshield when it would normally have been easier to leave it off until later.
This logic extends past the assembly stages as well.
Plan your painting sequence as well as the assembly.
Another example: Lets say you have to spray paint a part that is flat on one side yet has some flanges on the other side.
Which side do you paint first?
Does it even matter?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Think about it in this way: If you spray the flat side first and then flip it over (after the paint dries, obviously!) to paint the other side, when you paint the second side the part is going to be sitting on the flat area that you painted first.
If, however, you spray the flanged side first and then spray the flat side, when painting the flat side the part is only sitting on the flanges.
This helps protect the paint on the flat side because it was done last.
An alternative to this logic is to think about how the part will be seen.
If one side is going to be more visible than the other, for example if one side is visible from the top and the other side only visible from the bottom, I tend to spray the less visible side first.
That way when I spray the most visible side any scratches or flaws that might be cause are more likely to be on the side that is less visible.
Think about your decal placement.
Probably not an issue on smaller models, but on the larger ones you have to hold them somewhat tightly when picking them up and moving them around.
If a decal is where you normally pick the model up it will probably get torn sooner or later.
Also think ahead while placing your decals.
Make sure you leave enough room between adjacent decals to work without ruining one that is already in place.
I usually skip one when decals are close together and come back to it once the first one placed has had time to dry.
Plan your work.
Look through the instructions when you start a kit and take notice of what gets added and when.
Where possible, construct large sections without the details that are liable to get broken off during assembly and save them until later.
Likewise, decide what sections can be assembled and then painted together.
It is usually best to build large sections, fill the seams, and make all necessary adjustments than it is to paint the parts individually and then paint everything again after it is assembled and sanded.
Think about what you are doing and think ahead to what will happen.
There are no cut-and-dried rules for building a model.
What works best for any given situation varies from one model to the next and from one person to the next.
Planning ahead will always save you a lot of trouble in the end though.
It is also an area where knowing your subject is a big help.
Kit instructions are written so that the parts are placed on the model in, usually, some sort of logical order.
The instructions frequently do not take into consideration the issues that exist in the real world.
Adding parts in a nice, orderly manner is fine but in the real world it doesn't always work out that way.
As an example, assume that you are building an airplane and the instructions tell you to add a bunch of antennae to the top of the model.
What do you suspect is going to happen to those antennae when you flip the model over on its back to work on the bottom?
Obviously they are going to get broken off.
Another example; while building a car the instructions tell you to install the windshield early in the build.
What are you going to do when it comes time to paint the body?
Obviously you are going to have to mask the windshield when it would normally have been easier to leave it off until later.
This logic extends past the assembly stages as well.
Plan your painting sequence as well as the assembly.
Another example: Lets say you have to spray paint a part that is flat on one side yet has some flanges on the other side.
Which side do you paint first?
Does it even matter?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Think about it in this way: If you spray the flat side first and then flip it over (after the paint dries, obviously!) to paint the other side, when you paint the second side the part is going to be sitting on the flat area that you painted first.
If, however, you spray the flanged side first and then spray the flat side, when painting the flat side the part is only sitting on the flanges.
This helps protect the paint on the flat side because it was done last.
An alternative to this logic is to think about how the part will be seen.
If one side is going to be more visible than the other, for example if one side is visible from the top and the other side only visible from the bottom, I tend to spray the less visible side first.
That way when I spray the most visible side any scratches or flaws that might be cause are more likely to be on the side that is less visible.
Think about your decal placement.
Probably not an issue on smaller models, but on the larger ones you have to hold them somewhat tightly when picking them up and moving them around.
If a decal is where you normally pick the model up it will probably get torn sooner or later.
Also think ahead while placing your decals.
Make sure you leave enough room between adjacent decals to work without ruining one that is already in place.
I usually skip one when decals are close together and come back to it once the first one placed has had time to dry.
Plan your work.
Look through the instructions when you start a kit and take notice of what gets added and when.
Where possible, construct large sections without the details that are liable to get broken off during assembly and save them until later.
Likewise, decide what sections can be assembled and then painted together.
It is usually best to build large sections, fill the seams, and make all necessary adjustments than it is to paint the parts individually and then paint everything again after it is assembled and sanded.
Think about what you are doing and think ahead to what will happen.
There are no cut-and-dried rules for building a model.
What works best for any given situation varies from one model to the next and from one person to the next.
Planning ahead will always save you a lot of trouble in the end though.
