May I Ask A Dumb Question

Painting for me depends on the parts and where they go, those that are small, hard to access after assembly, etc are painted before-hand.

Best study the instructions a LOT, testfit a LOT and than decide your assembly and painting sequence.

First off, to the forum and back to the hobby.

1. I paint my parts after I have glued them together. I have found it much easier that way. I you are building a plane paint the cockpit when it is assembled and then glue the fueselage together.

2. A wash is highly diluted paint that is added to show depth. They are difficult for the first couple of time (at least for me) but once you figure it out it is great!

here is a site that explains the basics of a wash and some other weathering tecniques.
http://www.swannysmodels.com/Weathering.html

I can't really add anything to what has already been posted, it's all good info. I would, however, like to say, welcome to the forum here. You'll find as much modeling information as you could ever want and meet some really great people as well. I love this place, I'm sure you will too.

What KIND of models are you building? Each has its own different characteristics that determine, in part, when to paint. Military aircraft, for example, are usually painted easier when the fuselage is pretty much assembled instead of in pieces. A car model, on the other hand, might be difficult to paint that far into the assembly and it might be better to paint the body earlier.

I usually try to paint in as large a section as I can without having to mask tons of assembled parts to do it. I'll completely assemble an airplane (fuselage, wings, empennage, etc.) before painting. It eliminates color variances and problems caused by assembling after painting.

just a small note to add to what everyone has said, it depends on what I am painting as to whether I paint it separate or together. Like Scott I almost completely assemble the aircraft before I paint it, I just mask off areas where I don't want the colors overflowing the other. But for things like landing gear etc, I will usually paint those seperate then glue them in after the painted fuselage has dried. Some may do it different, but for me it is easier to handle a model for painting without the exterior delicate parts in place... (these feeble old hands would snap the gear off in a second!)

If it's cars you build I am sure someone into that more than I wil be able to answer your question, but I would think a lot of the car would be painted before assembly except maybe the chassis.. better leave that to a auto buff tho...

Good luck and welcome to modeling!

And look at it this way, even if your son didn't take to modeling, at least now you'll have a reason to ignore the video games haha kidding... who knows, after you build a couple suddenly he might be interested...

Wow, you guys are quick !! Those were some fast reply's. Thank you very much. You have cleared up a lot of confusion for me. I am a bit of a WWII buff, so I am mainly going to try my luck on the WWII armor and aircraft.

to the forum. The landing gear and any other extras that go on the wing or fuselage are saved for the very last assembly. Usually they are painted and weather if any then I store them in my case for the last step. Some parts could be painted then later assembled. Like the others I paint the entire body when it is fully assembled. Like you when I first started I really did not know the best way to paint and asseble. Once you get a few under your belt you will get a better idea as to what you want to do.

Man, I remember when I got back into the hobby...such an exciting and frustrating time, I loved it! Then I got Paul Boyers book, then I tried some of the lessons..then I bought an airbrush... and then........woops, sorry guys, it took me back.

welcome to the forum and hobby!

here's a website that covers the basics:
http://hem.bredband.net/thomaskolb/art/models/introduction_e.htm

and you can download a 'handbook' of modeling here: (.pdf file)
http://www.testors.com/hobbyist_guides.asp
-this one covers painting, airbrushing and other techniques quite well

and checkout www.aircraftresourcecenter.com, they have a nice 'Tools 'n Tips' section.
don't forget to browse this forum often!

I'd build in subassemblies...- assemble some parts and then hit em with the airbrush. for small oparts I glue em on and carefully paint em with a small small brush.

I would like to say first welcome. And second thanks for asking what a wash is. I wasn't sure either.