Staging a Build?

I generally paint all the body parts first, then let those cure while I work on the engine, chassis, interior etc.

One thing to think about when you assemble the body, is many of the seems you get while assembling the various parts of the body are there on the real thing. I see many people (and I've done it myself) who out of habit want to fill all seems in a model.

It is always good to look at some photos of the real thing while you build. Ebay motors can be a great place to get some free detail photos of cars, particularly for perfomance cars since they will often include some under hood shots.

You can paint it when you want, better soon than later! :) Just because when the paint are drying you can work and complete the chassis.

Before assemble the body for paint it, be sure how the chassis goes attach with the body. I don't know, the Viper, I never build it, but some time the front or rear bumper goes kind of under the chassis (for keep the body and chassis together), so it require that the front or rear bumper need to be paint separately and put on the model a the end.

About the color, usually I use this method:

Primier, Color, Clear Gloss and Polish...

For each one I give 3 shots of paint.

1- A soft shot of color, kind of you still can see the plastic of the body

2- A medium shot, this one cover all.

3- The final shot.

After I use some polish and polish all... Usually I use Turtle Wax... :)

Ask yourself...how do they build a real car. Typically the body is partially assembled then it is sent off to paint. Meanwhile the chassis is being constructed. Then the two are mated and the smaller cosmetic components are attached.

Most car kits have three maybe four major components...body which includes roof, hood and doors(if separate) Prep these first then paint them. Give them plenty of cure time before you tackle adding other pieces to them or them to the chassis.

You might also want to visit FSM sister publications website and forum Scale Auto  Magazine.