How to fix cut pieces from structures

[Milo]

In that video the guy is spraying all of the pieces still on the sprues, when he's done how does he fix the parts where he cut them from the sprues. Wouldn't it leave little white cut marks?

[JollySipper]

That's the difference between a good builder and a GOOD builder! 

Only way to fix gate scars is to touch everything up...... The nicer kits have the sprue attachments where they would be hidden on the part......

[StevenGuthmiller]

Yes.

which is why I never paint parts on the sprue.

I don’t want to sound holier than thou, but painting parts on the trees has always struck me as an amateur move.

I don’t think I even did that back when I was 10 or 12 years old.

Not only does it seem amateurish because of the touch up required at the cut points, but almost every part has mold lines that should be removed if you want your model to stand out.

 

 

 

Steve

[Ace-Garageguy]

5 minutes ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

...I never paint parts on the sprue.

I don’t want to sound holier than thou, but painting parts on the trees has always struck me as an amateur move.

I don’t think I even did that back when I was 10 or 12 years old.

Not only does it seem amateurish because of the touch up required at the cut points, but almost every part has mold lines that should be removed if you want your model to stand out.

Exactly.

There are many ways to hold even the smallest parts for painting, and all of them have been touched on here on the board.

[Bills72sj]

I do not paint parts on the sprue either. Most every part needs a little sanding or attention done to it. I CA glue the part to a stub of scrap sprue in a location that will not show when assembled. CA glue has a brittle bond which, while strong, snaps pretty cleanly when the cross sectional area is small.

 

Edited September 15, 2023 by Bills72sj

[Milo]

On that red chassis, is that part where the clip is holding it going to show white?

[Bills72sj]

It is in the middle of a trench AND is going to face down. It will never be seen as semi trucks are a bit fragile to be flipping them over to look at the underside. Also if you touch it up, it basically disappears. Can you see it?

Edited September 15, 2023 by Bills72sj

[bobthehobbyguy]

Check out this series of videos. Lots of great tips. These will help you with a lot of questions and do8ng things the right way.

 

[slusher]

I cut all my parts loose primer then paint.  I like HPI guys videos and everyone has their own style. He has Somme good tips. Build for yourself watch and use what works for you.  I do watch HPI guy all the time and some others.

[bobthehobbyguy]

 

[Dpate]

12 hours ago, Milo said:

In that video the guy is spraying all of the pieces still on the sprues, when he's done how does he fix the parts where he cut them from the sprues. Wouldn't it leave little white cut marks?

He builds like that in the videos because he gets so many kits from sponsors. He does quick builds to show how the finished model looks. Lot of modelers do paint parts on sprues, and then cut them off and touch up. It just boils down to preference, and what works for you. There’s loads of different methods of painting parts too like you’ve seen in the pics here. Alligator clips, blue tack, pop sickle sticks with double sided tape or tack etc etc. There is no right or wrong way - just one way you get a better finish, and the other way no so much. 

[bobthehobbyguy]

I agree. If you are building kits for review then the goal is to show how the kit comes together and you get it done quickly.

If you are building for yourself take your time to get the best result. If you are paying for the kits that you build then strife to build the best possible model possible.

And if your goal is to build for contests you will need to make sure you cover all the basics for a chance to be competitive. 

[NOBLNG]

I will sometimes prime small parts on the tree (and yes, I am still an amateur?) after removing the most obvious and accessible mold lines. The primer helps me to see the faintest mold lines which I will tend to after separating the parts from the tree…then another coat of primer.

[yh70]

On 9/14/2023 at 9:04 PM, Milo said:

In that video the guy is spraying all of the pieces still on the sprues, when he's done how does he fix the parts where he cut them from the sprues. Wouldn't it leave little white cut marks?

he dont really care cause hes just doing a YouTube video. i never do that. i cut from the tree scrape - sand & fill in sink marks or seams. if you do like he does you will still see where you cut it off the tree and touched it up with paint..

[Skip]

I use the alligator clips like everyone else and stab them into a chunk of Styrofoam with a chunk of modeling clay stuck on the bottom, keeps it from falling over with painted parts on it. Plus some 1/2" X 1/2" double back tape bits that I stick the part onto a wood coffee stirrer stick, works for me!

[bobthehobbyguy]

Hpiguy does about 100 reviews in a year.  That's building and painting the model, shooting the video ,and editing the video in 3 days. His goal is to review a lot of kits. He would not be able to do that many if he spent the time cleaning up mold lines, sink marks, and ejection pin marks.

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

All parts removed from the sprue, mold lines, sink marks and other blemishes are work over. Light sanding, WASH all parts with hot (out of the tap) water and dish soap, rinse thoroughly and dry (in the dehydrator?). Primer, more sanding and fixing etc id needed and paint. That gives you the best chance of a good looking build, your mileage may vary.... -RRR

[Dpate]

3 hours ago, Rocking Rodney Rat said:

All parts removed from the sprue, mold lines, sink marks and other blemishes are work over. Light sanding, WASH all parts with hot (out of the tap) water and dish soap, rinse thoroughly and dry (in the dehydrator?). Primer, more sanding and fixing etc id needed and paint. That gives you the best chance of a good looking build, your mileage may vary.... -RRR

I just use my air brush with PSI up to 35 to air dry parts, after a good dawn bath. Works every time if you got an airbrush setup. 

[Mike C]

On 9/14/2023 at 11:37 PM, Bills72sj said:

I do not paint parts on the sprue either. Most every part needs a little sanding or attention done to it. I CA glue the part to a stub of scrap sprue in a location that will not show when assembled. CA glue has a brittle bond which, while strong, snaps pretty cleanly when the cross sectional area is small.

 

I pretty much paint parts the same way. The only time I'll leave them attached to the parts tree is if they are attached in places you will never see once it's assembled.