SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Newbie first model and first post

683 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2011
Newbie first model and first post
Posted by Roaders on Thursday, December 29, 2011 10:13 AM

Hi All

I've loved models for a long time but have never actually built an airfix kit.

For Christmas I was given a Revell kit that contains 2 McLaren F1 cars. It has some glue and some paint and a brush ect (but I think I need to buy more paint).

I've looked through the instructions but I am still a bit unsure of the best way to build the model.

When do I paint it? Before I start or when it's assembled?
I have to mix paint as well, 90% one color, 10% another. What's the best and least messy way of doing this?

Is there a really simple guide for people who know nothing about this that I can read?

Thanks

  • Member since
    November 2011
Posted by 70gtvert on Thursday, December 29, 2011 4:45 PM

Wow, your asking a lot. I paint auto  models in sub-assemblies, body, engine tranny, etc, prior to final assembly.

Based on ALL your questions you may wish to check your local library for book's on how to build plastic models- there are a number of them out there. Otherwise it is just a learning curve, some will work out fine, others you'll learn from mistakes. Just as a note since paint is such a tough part of building, you can use easy off oven cleaner with lye in it to strip paint off of plastic models without hurting the plastic. This also works good at removing chrome in those cases where chrome plating is not needed. Best of luck to you, I've been building since I was 8 ,and I'm 53 now. John

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, December 30, 2011 8:59 AM

Roaders

Hi All

snip

When do I paint it? Before I start or when it's assembled?
I have to mix paint as well, 90% one color, 10% another. What's the best and least messy way of doing this?

snip

Thanks

Neither.  Painting is somewhere in middle, and depends a lot on the particular kit.  Usual practice is somewhere in middle.  Before you start building you must think through the process and decide which parts or subassemblies get painted when.  With racing cars, many of the body panels are removable, so you can paint them seperately.  If there is no seam on a subassembly in the real car, you must glue those parts together and fill seam before painting.

As for mixing paints, I use an airbrush and mix in an airbrush jar.  Even if you do not airbrush, you could buy a few of those jars at hobby shop and mix and keep the mixed paint in them.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Saturday, December 31, 2011 7:18 PM

WOW, I would say that, if you're not experienced in auto building, I would wait a bit to do those F1's. Given what I know about that car with the weird doors and whatnot, and engine placement, you might want to get a cheap car model off ebay or somewhere and practice building a more traditionally-arranged car to get some idea of what gets done when.

The paint you choose determines a lot. MAKE SURE you use a primer. But enamel paint--while spraying easier--takes forever to cure and "gas out"--so you want to clean up and paint the body BEFORE everything, so that you can work on the interior as the body s curing. Acrylics dry really quickly, but have less durability or shine. Lacquers are optimal, with very fast drying time and great polishing qualities.

Start by assembling the body and clean it up with fine sandpaper. Get rid of any seams and blemishes in the plastic. Then prime it and paint it. Don't add the side mirrors at this point--you'll appreciate that when you go to polish it.

Next, work on the engine--which usually needs a few steps of painting and adding small details. Put it aside if the fiddly bits get to ya for a bit.

Next, work on the interior. Paint the seats and dash separately, and then work on the detail painting. You can also assemble the wheels at this point.

When the body is dry, polish it. Then add the small bits of details. Add the glass when its done. Be careful about what's on your hands at this point--fingerprints and stains can ruin a good finish. A lot of guys wear rubber gloves at this point to handle the model.

At some point, you have to consider WHEN and HOW to assemble the whole model, given the particulars of the engine compartment and fittings, and the doors, if they open or not. I always add the wheels just about last, but that may not be an option given the body clearance.

Don't despair--modeling is a learning process, and the more you do, the better you become. Good luck, and remember to have fun!

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by spadx111 on Saturday, December 31, 2011 9:12 PM

DittoWelcome Sign

Ron

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.