Saving instructions

[Terry Jessee]

I'm kind of spreading this around because it's a great technique.

I bought an original AMT '25 T tall coupe kit last week. It was pretty rough looking, but wonder of wonders, it's all there. The instruction was there, too, but rolled up like someone had been using it to swat flies. It was pretty crumpled, and frankly, it was worthless the way it was. So I asked my wife if it was possible to iron paper.

Here's what she told me:

Use a spray bottle (like a Windex sprayer) to spray a paper towel so that it's just slightly damp.

Flatten the instruction sheet as well as you can with your hands, and lay the paper towel over it.

Use the lowest setting on the iron and gently move it over the damp paper towel and instruction sheet. Don't stop anywhere because you risk scorching the instruction sheet paper.

I did one side, then flipped it over, resprayed the towel, and did the steps again. Once I had it flat, I folded it in the original folds, then ironed that with the iron shut off (using only residual heat).

And now I have this yellowed but clean and sharp original instruction sheet that folds up nice and flat.

Works like magic. Just be careful with the heat.

Terry

[Danno]

Got the details of that technique all ironed out, eh Terr?

(Good job, Cynthia! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, you two.)

[martinfan5]

Nice tip , I cant think of any other iron reference's right now, but Danno has that covered

[Danno]

Nice tip , I cant think of any other iron reference's right now, but Danno has that covered

The heat is on . . . and you folded when pressed to keep up, didn't you?

[martinfan5]

The heat is on . . . and you folded when pressed to keep up, didn't you?

[mikemodeler]

Tip your server, the man is here all week!

[Hollywood Jim]

Great tip Terry !!

I'd like to expand on the instruction topic.

I had about 80 instructions from kits that I had built. I kept them all. Earlier this year I needed to conserve space so I gave the instructions to a friend.

I could not figure out what I would ever need those instructions for.

Is there a good reason to save model instructions?

Why do you save model instructions for kits that you have built?

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[sjordan2]

<p>1. When instructions are on sequential individual pages, I make copies of them on my printer and print them out one page at a time, so I can lay them out in front of me without having to turn pages to look at the reverse sides. They can be kept in a 3-ring binder or a pocket folder.</p>

<p>2. Sometimes I enlarge the copies and have them printed on 11 x 17 sheets to make it easier on my aging eyes.</p>

<p>3. Where the instructions are printed and folded in a broad &quot;map style&quot; and not on individual 8-1/2 x 11 pages, I print them out larger in sections, and tape them together.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>I keep instructions because I never know if I'll want to return to the kit for another version (and that helps jog my memory) or if someone else needs them for whatever reason.</p>

Edited December 13, 2012 by sjordan2

[slusher]

l have been saving all my used instructions for about 8 years now. l have went back and looked at certain builds from time to time. there are some posted on line below are some links...

http://www.thedpmcc.com/instructionsintro.html

http://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/instruction_sheetsh/instruction_sheets/

[Deathgoblin]

I've been using the Fokti instructions site a LOT. It's really handy for glue bombs.

[MsDano85gt]

Insructions are always great reference (previously mentioned glue bombs) also it is my "true" model car count inventory (minus flea market e *bay used glue bomb stuff that had no instructions) and of course subtract some of my build ups I have sacraficed traded and given away to other mcm members

3rdly some kits have been re-issued many times over the years sometimes the directions get redone, or changed parts added and subtracted

Just plain good to have them around!

[crazyrichard]

ooeehh i always trow away the instructions .. dont care for them..
in a fact i maybe use like a small part of the instructions for a build since most is build up my own way i seldom go through the whole instruction sheet
but i can def. understand it can be cool to save all the old instructions ..
i trow them away because at one point in my life i desided not to keep everything (like stuff)
i could easely become a horder or a person that collects and keeps every sily thing they own , thats in me ..
so i decided at one point not to hang on to certain stuff anymore

[niteowl7710]

Some people save the box, or at least the cover box art of all if their built kits, and I have a couple of model kit boxes with every set of instructions of every kit I've built (excluding multiples of the same kit - eg NASCAR, multiple builds of various law enforcement vehicles, etc.)