how long should a model take to build and basics

Another place that you may try to find help.
http://www.bonediggers.com
Good luck.

The first thing to do when you decide to build a model is figure out how you want to build it. Do you want to build it strictly out of the box, modify it, completely change it, or something in between. You said you've been building models since you were a kid but have never been satisfied with how they turned out. I would suggest start again by building one straight out of the box. This way you can work on perfecting the basics such as:
sanding down sprue edges, mold lines, and flash.
glueing and what types of glue work for the different types of parts.
filling and painting.

You didn't say but are there any specific concerns that you have with your models. It is easier to give answers to specific questions than to just give general guidelines. If you're having a specific problem, please feel free to post a detailed description and we will be glad to give you more detailed help. Also feel free to email me as well if you run into a trouble spot.

As far as how long it takes to build a model...The answer is as long as it takes. A lot of times it depends on your mood. I've had models that I've finished in as little as a couple of weeks and right now I am still working on one that I started years ago. :-) As long as you're having fun, that's all that matters!!!!

Ray

Since I just came back to the hobby I'm not a wealth of knowledge but here is one thing that I've done...

That would be to use clear paint to attach things such as turn signal lenses and head and tail lights. Basically anything that you would attach to the outside of a car body after you've painted it. It doesn't form the kind of bond that glue will but it's pretty much invisible and won't haze the clear lenses plus you don't have to scrape off any paint for the glue to stick.

Another thing I've learned the hard way, be sure your model is clean before you shoot any paint. Any finger prints will wreak havoc. Wipe it down with some type of prep solution or wash in a mild soap solution and rinse it well. Wear gloves to handle it afterwards. It may sound like overkill but it beats stripping paint.

There are some tips on my site (link below). There is a page with some discussion of glues etc. And some air-brushing tips on several pages as well.

From the home page, go to Tips and Tricks (navigation in the upper left).

Prepare the body, sand, put the first primer coats, sand, apply primer, sand with 1200 sandpaper, apply the mist coats of the color paint you prefer and then the wet coats if you need polish this three, five or ten coats of color paint with a polishing kit and then apply a automotive polish or plastic polish (like the novus).
You can wait a week between the primer and the paint coats. Remember the paint needs to extrac gases
Remember the secret is to make models, models and more models in the time you can do it, I have made models include in one year or more

I think her you will find an answer to many questions you got.

http://www.ninfinger.org/~sven/models/rms_tips/rmsfaq.1.html

http://users.skynet.be/mbie

Regards

Eric

thank you ,but do you have any tips on painting and glueing

anything will help

thanks again

I have completed models in a few hours... and some have taken... well... let's just say they are ongoing after many months...

First of all, it's not a race!, I've known models take month's to complete, it depends on the level of detail & accuracy you want. Compare your model to pictures, no kit is 100 percent accurate, so you may need to alter it, check out the optional parts etc. Read as many model mags as you can, check out the FSM aircraft forum for instance, it's amazing what you'll learn. Try your new techniques on an old kit.
If a 25 Dollar model takes 50 hours, it's only cost you 50 cents per hour, see how much value for money you can get out of a kit. Enjoy! and build something you can be proud of. Good Luck