Paint components before assembly or after? Poacher 1/8 scale

[Glennb2]

I am commencing to work on a Pocher 1935 Mercedes 500AK.    Using Tamika aerosol cans for painting and clear coat.    It is a large model and I am figuring to painting the body exterior components prior to assembly ( to avoid masking etc.)  I don’t have an air brush.

Is this advisable to pre-paint the components?

[Fat Brian]

Before I paint anything I test fit. There's not much worse than finding out your freshly painted parts don't fit and need to be sanded. 

[Bainford]

Yes, pre-paint all of the parts before assembly. Some parts that will be painted the same colour can be glued together as an assembly prior to paint, if it's convenient to do so. 

[Straightliner59]

I agree with Trevor, above. Parts that are assemblies that will be painted the same color, should be glued together first, and any mold marks removed. Typically, parts that attach to the aforementioned assemblies can be painted individually. As you become more experienced, it'll become more "automatic", as to how you handle different situations. I have never built a Pocher kit, so, I can't really advise, about that.?

[Pocher builder]

You should assemble parts of the model first. Pocher models are put together with screws and not by glue. Also the accuracy of the parts is nowhere near to "Tamiya" and quite a bit of adjusting will be needed. Then dismantle the pre-build and paint the parts. Also you may consider buying airbrush which will give better finish on large surfaces then rattlecans.

Edited December 15, 2024 by Pocher builder
more accurate