What do you start with first?

Just wondering what the norm is....

When starting a new kit, what does everyone normally start with... the body or the smaller parts?

-Xacto

The body and things that have to fit to the body. This way, the body can be at the beginning of the paint sequence, and can dry while I do work on the rest of the car.

Most of your questions have been answered before, using the search feature should answer them before you have to post them.

As for this one, I start with all the parts that require modification to be accurate, everything else will fall into place from there.

Every single one of my models has to be custom, period. So first thing I start with is the design. Then I build the body to that design. After that, I decide to make sure everything fits. So basically I build everything around my original design.

I usually start by studying the instructions, to see how the kit will be mounted/painted. Then i test fit all the parts and start the buildup.

I follow the instructions, i try not to skip ahead otherwise it might come out wrong.

It depends. On a box stock build I paint the body first. With havily modified cars I always start with engine, suspension. I modify everything and after that I paint everything.

It really depends on the kind of car you are building. When I build my Nascar's I start with the frame and the roll cage. But for alot of other cars it's best to start with the body. Get all the parts fitted and get it painted, that way when your ready to attach the body, it will have plenty of time to dry and you won't have any problems.

I usually start by studying the instructions, to see how the kit will be mounted/painted.

My favorite place to do that is on the crapper.

I agree with Bas Carwash 100%

Test fit and then spray the body first. Like Willimo said it is best because as it dries you can work on the rest of the model.

My favorite place to do that is on the crapper.

I think that is just one of those things that we keep to ourselves.

I kind of do everything in parallel. However the body is usually the piece that requires the most work. So naturally it gets the focus, especially early on.

I usually sand and prime the body. Then build everything else (starting with chassis and any mods that need to be done).

Body

I finish the body before doing anything else.

So the body have plenty of time to dry when I work on the rest of the kit

Im glad to hear that most finish the body first. It means that I'm doing anything wrong. heh heh

Study instructions (on the crapper as someone else mentioned) then go through the body process bit by bit leaving it all to dry properly for a few weeks while i get on with the rest.

Mike :smokin:

Most of the time i sit and read the booklet (instructions) see what goes where and how then i start painting the parts on the trees and then put the chassie togethor and when thats done is when i start body work.

Sounds very similar to what I do, but because my time is REALLY limited, I am still reading the booklet since March. Heh Heh.

Sad hey...

Step 1: Look at the kits online, or at the hobby shop, and see what would be a fun build.
2. Buy the kit.
3. Tear open the box and the little baggies inside, spreading the parts trees all over the floor/workbench.
4. Put the glass pieces in a bag, and put them back in the box.
5. Read through the instructions to see what parts go where.
6. Hop on the internet for a while and do some extensive research to see what parts should be what color, and what needs to be scratch-built or modified.
7. Cut out each piece, sanding down all the flash to a nice finish, and dry-assemble to test fit.
8. after all parts fit together correctly, paint.
9. scratch paint off whatever parts will be glued together, and apply glue.

Which part I start with depends on the time of year. I do everything BUT the body in the winter, since I paint car bodies outside, and ou can't do that when it's below freezing. Otherwise I paint the body first, and glue together parts I want to eliminate the seams from, like engineblocks and seats, so I can work on other parts while I'm waiting for the glue to dry and can then sand them down smooth and paint them.