|
Building models is not only fun, it's also relaxing and educational too.
How to Build a Plastic Model
The miniature world of models can spark your imagination
and indulge your sense of history. Building model - airplanes,
cars, ships - is a skill almost anyone can develop.
Assembling the Model
Steps:
- Find a place, complete with a large table and adequate
lighting, where you can lay out your model for assembly.
- Choose a kit within your skill level.
- Carefully open the kit.
- Cut, rather than break, individual parts from the plastic
trunk they're attached to.
- Lay out the parts.
- Compare the parts included to the list of parts needed.
- Use sandpaper to remove nubs and excess plastic resulting
from the manufacturing process.
- Wash the parts in a mild detergent and allow to dry.
- Collect your tools.
- Follow the parts assembly sequence exactly.
- Use the minimum amount of glue necessary to make a solid bond.
- Be careful to keep excess glue off other areas of the model.
- Enhance your assembly finish by filling in gaps with putty and
carefully sanding the filled surface.
Painting
Steps:
- Remember that your skin surface has a natural oil on it.
- Wash the assembled model to remove all oil and any other
contamination, including excess glue.
- Begin painting only after the model is completely dry.
- Shake the spray can thoroughly to mix paint properly.
- Test the nozzle by spraying a piece of cardboard or other scrap.
- Plan to spray on multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat.
- Put parts to be painted on a drop cloth.
- Start spraying to one side of the model, stroke over the model,
and spray past the model before you stop.
Applying Decals
Steps:
- Make sure the decal is clean.
- Clean the surface of the model where the decal is to be applied.
- Use tweezers when moving or applying decals.
- Loosen and prepare decals by using absolutely clean water.
- Remember that you can customize your model by applying
aftermarket decals.
Overall Warnings:
- Tube cements will actually weld plastic parts together
by melting the plastic. Use superglue for delicate parts
rather than tube cement, which would deform their shape.
- Clear parts show glue easily. Some modelers suggest using
Elmer's glue, which will not mar the finish on a clear part.
- Exercise care with glue. Glue fumes in a confined area can
be hazardous.
- Skin oils can result in fingerprints embedded permanently
in a model's finish. Consider wearing latex gloves.
Tips from eHow Users:
Detail Painting
- Detail paint your models parts WHILE they are still on the parts tree(s).
This makes it easier to show detail, but to also makes less of a mess to clean up.
Everyone wants to show the detail of many different colors on a part.
Pre-fit Test
- You'll hear this tip from just about anyone. Before you actually glue your
parts together, make sure to test-fit them to make sure they fit together nicely.
Just place the pieces together without any glue on them. If it doesn't fit
quite right, or there's extra plastic, use a hobby knife to trim it off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Hobby Sites / Links |
RC Vehicles
Model Trains
| Model Rockets
Video Systems and Games
|
| Cash2Burn Directory / Link Exchange - Click here to ad yours All your modling needs in one spot
|