Order of kit building

For me it's go WTF were they thinking when they wrote these directions :P  In all seriousness for me it's pre-fit-prime- paint-putty-sand-re-paint the parts that got sanded down-gloss coat-decals-flat coat.

I agree with leaving the small stuff for last. I always leave LG, gear doors, antenna, etc. off until after painting (certainly eases sanding), painting separately, and adding at last minute.

Don Stauffer

CN Spots

Not an armor guy but here's my list for war boids:  Pre-fit>>tweak>>Glue>>prime>>paint >>varnish>>decals>>varnish>>washes>>weathering>>Dull varnish coat.

If you glue everything together before painting, how do you paint the cockpit?  Do you glue everything but canopy or windscreen and use a small brush through the opening?

No, that was just my basic order of construction. As was said, each build will always vary slightly.   My cockpits are done like most folks here do: completed outside of the fuselage and then added just prior to sealing up the halves. Canopies go on early and are masked and painted with the model. If it has any fiddly bits, they go on just before it goes on the shelf or I WILL break them off!

Seems to me that using flowchart software would not be inappropriate for many builds..............

This is an excellent topic. Planning is the most fundamental element to any successful project. Where I work, an aircraft manufacturer, order of process is essential for a proper 1:1 build. Of course, just like with scale models, there are mistakes and oversights that happen which must be fixed, so those repairs naturally are steps that are done out of sequence. But, those are anomalies. There are also certain steps that simply cannot be done out of order. For example, you cannot pressure test a fuselage or fuel tank before it is assembled. Don's questions above bring to light the reasons why nearly all aircraft modelers will finish (build, paint and weather) the cockpit before assembling the fuselage, and nearly all armor modelers will do the same with an AFV's interior before assembling the hull

The instructions that come with a model kit are nothing more than part placement guides. The desirable order of assembly may or may not resemble to sequence of assembly in the given instructions. I find it best to build as many sub-assemblies as possible before paint. In deciding what to include in pre-paint sub-assemblies, I consider how they will be painted (airbrush, hand brush, etc) and determine the difficulty and practicality of the work to be done. I also use this projection to determine whether a part may even be painted while still on the sprue

Also, exactly what work will be performed depends on the individual modeler's goals. That means the planning for the project will be unique to person or persons building the model. Though many modelers may follow similar basic steps, there will be many smaller tasks that will need a determination on order of construction. One must take all tasks to be performed into consideration in order to put together a solid work plan

This may sound like over-thinking, but it isn't. The importance is to visualize the build and plan logically. It's a pretty interesting task in and of itself, and it can lead to a more relaxing build, and more satisfying results

CN Spots

Not an armor guy but here's my list for war boids:  Pre-fit>>tweak>>Glue>>prime>>paint >>varnish>>decals>>varnish>>washes>>weathering>>Dull varnish coat.

If you glue everything together before painting, how do you paint the cockpit?  Do you glue everything but canopy or windscreen and use a small brush through the opening?

Not an armor guy but here's my list for war boids:  Pre-fit>>tweak>>Glue>>prime>>paint >>varnish>>decals>>varnish>>washes>>weathering>>Dull varnish coat.

I wouldn't varnish on top of my mud/pigments,definitly will diminish the effect .Also it's a good idea to protect the decals from the weathering process,possibility of damaging them.

As far as armor,I will paint and weather wheels and tracks off the model and add them later.Also I usually paint the tools and acessories while on the tank.There are lots of variations,ideas,and ways of doing things.

Wait - you don't wash your parts first? LOL!

Just so you know why I say that; washing parts on sprues helps remove any excess oils left behind from factory molds. Plus it helps paint adhere better. Of course, it's optional but most folks do wash them.

Yeah, the armor guys have it easy.

Sort of kidding, but it does slow you down pre painting stuff.

One thing I do. A number of times when I've had the airbrush all tweeked up and ready to go with a basic color like rubber black, interior zinc chromate or say, aluminum; I'll go through a pile of boxes and paint the relevant parts on their sprues.

When you open the box a year later, and (a) forgot you did that, and (b) wonder how anyone could be so sloppy, you can go ahead into assembly and do touch up with a hand brush.

Thanks Don

I can see how it would be a kit by kit situation. I guess I should have stated I'm going to be painting armorer kits, for now.

I'm for sure pouring over these forums and videos.

Thanks

I describe it as build a little, paint a little.  There is no simple sequence for all kits- it depends on the kit.  For instance,  if you assemble everything it will be niegh ought impossible to paint cockpit, engine details and small stuff like that.  Are you building aircraft with gear up or gear down? Different sequence each way.

You need to carefully study kit and instructions and lay out a plan for each kit.  Can you paint certain parts after assembly or must you paint them before?  How easy is it to mask parts?  Will using an alternate plan of assembly make painting easier.

One of my big gripes for model companies is that I do not believe they really think most modelers will paint their models, except maybe on final color.  The instructions are really no guide to what to paint when.  I see so many beginners trapped by this.