Building process?

[tengel78]

I'm new to building so, this is probably a really stupid question.  I got my first kit in over 20 years (AMT El Camino) and started it this weekend.  The process I'm using now is just using the steps in the instructions, painting those (sometimes 2-3 coats so they look nice) and then building.  It seems like I can only do so much before I just need to wait for everything to dry.  I'm on day three and the engine is finally all painted and ready for assembly.

Do any of you take all of the parts off of the sprue, sort them into like colors and then paint that way?  It seems like it would be easier with less cleaning brushes, switching colors etc.  I also plan on going to an Airbrush at some point and since cleaning the AB is more involved, I'd hate to spray one small part and then have to clean before going to the next one.

Right now everything but the body is being brush painted.  The body will be rattle can for now.

 

I look forward to seeing your build process.

Thanks!

[Jhedir6]

Tyler, 

For me, it depends. Things like an engine block I assemble it and any other component attached to it that's the same color...it will depend on the kit, the manufacturer of the real car (if you're going for realism) and convenience. I do the same with bodies and sometimes chassis or at the very least sub assemblies on the chassis. If the rear axle is in two halves, glue then paint. I pretty much remove everything from spures before painting. Sometimes parts are attached in a spot that will be hidden once built and you can leave them on to paint, but that's pretty rare I find, maybe a couple parts per kit. I remove, clean, glue then I'll attach the part to a skewer ( dollar store items) either by the pointed end or with blue tack (dollar store item) then I stick the skewer into a block of floral foam ( dollar store item). You can then paint by hand or spray. If you spray, leave the plastic covering the foam on, the paint will degrade the foam and it wont last as long. Once you have too many holes in the foam, flip it over and you have a new block...but tbh..these things last a LONG time...I've got ones that are 5yrs old and still going. 

The dollar store is great for picking up items that will help you with building without spending huge $$....skewers, floral foam, tooth picks, miniature clamps, blue tack, cotton swabs/wipes, containers for holding whatever acrylic craft paints ( good for interiors and other details) and probably more stuff than I can think of right now. 

Make sure to check out the Tips section too.

Edited January 2, 2018 by Jhedir6

[tengel78]

17 minutes ago, Jhedir6 said:

Tyler, 

For me, it depends. Things like an engine block I assemble it and any other component attached to it that's the same color...it will depend on the kit, the manufacturer of the real car (if you're going for realism) and convenience. I do the same with bodies and sometimes chassis or at the very least sub assemblies on the chassis. If the rear axle is in two halves, glue then paint. I pretty much remove everything from spures before painting. Sometimes parts are attached in a spot that will be hidden once built and you can leave them on to paint, but that's pretty rare I find, maybe a couple parts per kit. I remove, clean, glue then I'll attach the part to a skewer ( dollar store items) either by the pointed end or with blue tack (dollar store item) then I stick the skewer into a block of floral foam ( dollar store item). You can then paint by hand or spray. If you spray, leave the plastic covering the foam on, the paint will degrade the foam and it wont last as long. Once you have too many holes in the foam, flip it over and you have a new block...but tbh..these things last a LONG time...I've got ones that are 5yrs old and still going. 

The dollar store is great for picking up items that will help you with building without spending huge $$....skewers, floral foam, tooth picks, miniature clamps, blue tack, cotton swabs/wipes, containers for holding whatever acrylic craft paints ( good for interiors and other details) and probably more stuff than I can think of right now. 

Make sure to check out the Tips section too.

Thanks David!  I never heard of blue tack, I'll have to run over and get some.  I've been meaning to get some foam, but this weekend just drilled some small holes in a 1x2 that was in the garage to stick skewers and toothpicks in.  It's worked pretty good so far.  

I think on the next kit, I'll glue the like color pieces you described and then remove parts, sort them by color and paint that way and see how it works. My quality on the first few probably won't be anything to display, so I'll use the to learn on.

 

[Miatatom]

I always take everything off the sprues and sort them by color. Like David said above, assemble common color parts such as engine assemblies, axles, etc. I use several pieces of short 2 x 4 with holes drilled in them to hold skewers or alligator clip holders with parts. Moving them in and out of my spray booth is much easier. For holding parts for painting, I also use Scotch double sided foam tape. Stick one side to a wooden skewer and the part to the other side. Works great.

[misterNNL]

I start all kit based builds the same way,if no custom work is involved I go over the body removing flash and mold marks like seperation lines and ejector pin marks. Next up is fill and sand sink marks,etc. I next do the same process with other sub assembly items for interior,chassis,engine and drive train.

The paint process is done after subassemblies are glued togeather to minimize handling. I leave all parts on the sprue untill needed(if you could see my workbench bench you would understand). I am 100% a rattle can man so a lot of small stuff is mounted on toothpicks and those clamped in spring loaded clothes pins. Do what ever works best for you.