Painting parts while on sprue

[bobss396]

I read somewhere about the practice in a modeling magazine, pre-internet. I guess it has caught on, I still see model parts/kits for sale with painted parts trees in them. 

There are many ways to skin a cat and most will make you puke.

[Mike C]

It depends on the parts and where the attachment points is (that's called a mold gate). If it's someplace that's not going to be seen or needs a touch up then I leave it on the parts tree. But sometimes I don't have a choice and leaving it attached is acceptable and I may have to touch it up where I cut it off.

[bluestringer]

It's all well and good to take the parts off and take care of the mold lines, etc. I would like to do that and make my models look better, but for some of us holding on to a small part trying to sand on it is very difficult. Not only is it hard to hold on to, my eyesight is not good and even with magnifiers it's hard to see. I paint a lot of the small parts on the tree, and then paint the blemish it leaves when taking it off after I have installed it. My biggest problem is the chrome parts, can't seem to find anything that will match the chrome to cover the mark where it's cut from the tree.

[Bainford]

3 hours ago, bluestringer said:

 My biggest problem is the chrome parts, can't seem to find anything that will match the chrome to cover the mark where it's cut from the tree.

This is one place where a Molotow pen works really well. 

[bobthehobbyguy]

13 hours ago, bluestringer said:

It's all well and good to take the parts off and take care of the mold lines, etc. I would like to do that and make my models look better, but for some of us holding on to a small part trying to sand on it is very difficult. Not only is it hard to hold on to, my eyesight is not good and even with magnifiers it's hard to see. I paint a lot of the small parts on the tree, and then paint the blemish it leaves when taking it off after I have installed it. My biggest problem is the chrome parts, can't seem to find anything that will match the chrome to cover the mark where it's cut from the tree.

Great point. 

When we have topics like this their are some who label such practices as shoddy craftsmanship  or laziness. We need to think beefore we speak. For some may have limitations they may be doing the best they can and I think it's great they can enjoy our great hobby.  The object of the hobby is to have fun.

[peteski]

14 hours ago, bluestringer said:

My biggest problem is the chrome parts, can't seem to find anything that will match the chrome to cover the mark where it's cut from the tree.

If it is just the small areas where the plastic injection gates were cut off, I touch those up with a Pilot silver paint marker (extra fine tip)

I've been using it for many years.  It is nowhere as reflective as the kit's chrome, but on small areas it is pretty much invisible on the kit's chrome. The reflective of the chrome shows reflections of surrounding objects, creating a busy appearance where the touched up areas blend it.  Only you will know where the touch ups are. But it is only effective works on small areas. Remember to always shake it well before use!  The old Testor's "chrome" paint in tiny square bottles works well too, but it never fully dries.

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

On 8/6/2024 at 7:06 AM, bobss396 said:

There are many ways to skin a cat and most will make you puke.

Nice, I gotta remember that one... -RRR