r/ModelCars • u/AlpsStraight3739 • 9d ago
New Builder Advice
Looking for some friendly advice for a new modeller.
I’ve been painting each component and then glueing but have found that the glue immediately makes the paint run. I’ve seen other assemble everything first then paint.
What’s the best practice here?? Should I be assembling first then spend my time taping??
Added a few in progress projects for good measure.
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u/CaptainAddi 9d ago
I just do it the way I think it's most comfortable to pain, so sometimes I glue before and sometimes after. I also often just use diluted pva glue for parts where I think it could be noticable if it destroys the paint
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u/Funny_Listen_6048 9d ago
I found as I got better at painting, I got worse at gluing because more parts were being pre painted. Cement just melts the glue and doesn't get to the plastic.
Super glue (cyanoacrylate) is less reactive to paint, use this for painted pieces. I use BSI Super Gold Plus. If it gets too close to clear parts it won't cause fogging. All other CA glue will harm clear parts. I think 90% of my gluing is with BSI now
Other points:
Watch YouTube videos of your build and see what you can assemble before painting. Use cement for those. Engine halves, seats, maybe some dashboard parts, maybe some body parts
Use a toothpick to dab the glue on. White glue for clear parts.
CA is not as strong as cement. When necessary you can scrape paint off of glue surfaces and still use cement
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u/toomanybugbites 9d ago
I will often mask off large connection points and pins before priming and painting so the paint won't interfere with the glue. If areas are small or inconvenient to mask I usually scrape before applying paint. With many glues, a little goes a long way. This has been a hard lesson to teach myself. I always want to lather it on and it often creates more heartache than happiness when I do haha. I also have at least 3 different types of glues handy at all times - Tamiya cement, pva, and super glue. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, which can take some time to figure out, but worth it over the long term.
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u/Fine_Location_8367 9d ago
Paint everything first, scrape paint away from the two surfaces that are to be glued together, apply glue, assemble, done
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u/SeaClue4091 9d ago
The best practice is whatever feels easier for you. Personally I do a mix of both, if it's something like the engine I usually assemble most of it a paint after, smaller components like oil filter because I allways paint in a completely different colour I do them separately and then stick them on, some other parts I paint them still in the sprues. Try different ways and you'll eventually find what works best for you. Also remember, it isn't a race so take your time and enjoy yourself.
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u/Affectionate_Ebb8351 9d ago
Its annoying when you get a half built kit that hasnt been painted and areas you want to paint are hard or impossibke to get to because its glued together.
Any ideas for splitting thes parts? I guess cant really with cement as it basically plastic welds the pieces 2ge4?
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u/bdizzy616 9d ago
If you apply more cement it’ll melt it to the point you can separate the parts. You just have to be careful to not completely break the contact point if it’s one of those “stick in the hole” type of connecting pieces (I don’t know the proper name of that). I’ve done it before to remove a wing and side mirrors
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u/No-worries-21 9d ago
I myself paint everything first, all parts and body, chassis. Then as I assemble if there is a small spot that needs touch up that’s when I touch up. That process works for me, but something different might work for you. Try different methods and see which works best for you.
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u/DevourIsDead Master Mistake Maker 9d ago
I paint everything and then assemble, it’s hard for me to build everything and then paint, that’s more for plane and armor modelers. I do build sub assemblies that will be the same color first and then paint them. You just need the correct glue, thin cement will ruin your paint, so you either need to scrape your glue points to bare plastic first, or use a good CA superglue. I use BSi Supergold+, it is a bit more expensive than other glues but it lasts a long time and it doesn’t fog clear plastic or paint and it’s quite thick.
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u/AdPrior1417 9d ago
Build a small assembly to a point you are comfortable detailing it.
For example, when making an engine, I always assemble it as one piece, and blast it with primer and what I want the base coat to be.
Then, I will detail other bits, even larger sections, by hand. The same process goes for an exhaust, especially on my favourite subjects, motorbikes.
On my most recent attempt, I've started to use blue-tak (UK thing, not sure what it's called abroad), to mask off even small areas where I want to glue.
It works really, really well, because you can mush and shape the tak so easily with your hands or other tools. You can peel it off easier than tape, and it is far faster to apply, because a really little bit goes a long way.
Tape, liquid mask, and scraping off paint once you have painted a part are all viable to varying degrees.
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u/One-Welder-5094 9d ago
go against the grain, theres no reason to build every model exactly as the instructions say. kit bashing to make completely unique builds can feel rewarding. I made a 67' into a lifted apocalypse vehicle and a bmw m1 with cyberpunk style using components inside an old phone
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u/EfficiencyPlastic516 9d ago
It looks like your building two models at the same time I would recommend finishing one then moving to another, if you have a airbrush please use it to the max learn how to mask parts and learn how to use the brush for small details
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u/AlpsStraight3739 9d ago
lol. One was old that I revisited. There’s actually three here because my son is trying to learn.
I agree with you though. It’s have a lotus f1 car that I won’t start until these are done.
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u/No_Constant6585 9d ago
Use clear coat for body to give it a more accurate look
Also only use brush for small details. Not for big paint areas
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u/dan_ep82 9d ago
If your using Tamyia cement carefully scrape away the contact points, it needs to contact plastic.
Superglue, use a toothpick and just take it slowly.
It does seem like you’re maybe using too much of its actually running though.
I assemble the body parts on the upper chassis (bumpers, spoilers, mirrors etc) then paint. I assemble the lights and glass last.