Pre assemble before paint?

[Chuckyg1]

Hey all. Im currently working Revells 1950 F1. How would I approach painting the fender/bed unit?. Do I prime/ paint each piece separately, or assemble the bed and paint as unit? Do I prime separately than assemble and do color coats? My concern is ensuring an even, consistent coat. I'm using Duplicolor dark garnet red metallic. The bed floor is not an issue as I'm adding wood boards, etc. I have to do the spoon test to see what primer plays best with the color coats, (I have duplicolor light Grey, tamiya white  and Mr primer 1000 gray. How do you guys approach this to get the best finish possible?

Thanks

[Dave G.]

With step side beds, I do the fenders and tailgate separate from the bed, personally. But all in the same session . If you assemble the bed and fenders first, you will get blow back up under the rail. It's more difficult, at least for me, to get all the paint to lay down the same. Not to mention polishing later on. It's just my way.

Can't help with the primer selection, the Duplicolor advocates will have to answer that part. I don't use Duplicolor.

[Bainford]

My reply would be the same as Dave's, pretty much to the word.

[yh70]

i paint mine all together with no problem. i do it this way to make sure it's all the same shade of color once it dries . i have painted parts separate in the same session and once dried have two different shades of color. that's the way that works for me..

[Steve H]

The Duplicolour paint is “hot”. Make sure you use a suitable primer/sealer. I can’t remember off the top of my head , but I believe duplicolour primer with the numbers 1599, or maybe 1699. The numbers are down in the bar code area. I’ll try to find that info. I always try to assemble as much of the body parts as possible before painting. Having said that, it is challenging to get even colour inside the bed of a pickup due to “blow back”. Probably less an issue if using an airbrush, which I do not use… 

[slusher]

I primer and paint everything separate and the assemble".

[NOBLNG]

If you are spraying directly from the can it might be a good idea to spray the fenders separately. If you can decant the paint and use an airbrush then I would paint it as one unit. There is a fairly large space between the fenders and boxrail on that kit that could be done with an airbrush…not sure about the spray bomb?

[Chuckyg1]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions.

[fiatboy]

Hi Chucky.  I have just begun the process of gluing, and THEN paint.  Parts sure fit together nicely when they are not painted first!!