New to modelling. Question about glue and paint

This may sound like a very dumb question, but should I paint the parts first and then glue them together or glue them together and then paint them? I don't mean the whole kit, I mean sections, like the engine, suspension, etc. Glue or paint?

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Hi LeeMi, welcome to AF :wave: The answer to your question is (ta-da) depends. That is, sometimes it's best to do it one way and sometimes another. Just think things through, devise a plan and go for it. If in doubt look at the instructions, but don't feel compelled to follow them exactly. :icon16:

As posted, it depends. If I know that a whole bunch of parts (ie aluminum engine, heads, pulleys etc) will all be the same color, I glue them first. WIth interior, I assemble the seats before painting so you can fill in/paint over seam lines. If a part you're gluing onto another part is a different color than that part, *deep breath* paint it seperately. It's all a learning process, and I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. Welcome to the site!

Your question cannot be answered one way. Some people like to paint/detail every part separately before gluing. Others glue together some sub-assemblies, like engine halves and transmission halves to fix the mold lines, then paint. Sub assemblies and separately are the usual mix, it really depends on the kit itself. I tend to cut up a parts tree and spray similar colors at the same time. I'll assemble parts that need cleanup, like engines/transmissions/seats, then paint those parts. Build a few kits and you'll quickly learn what works best for you, don't worry over small details at first, models are a learning experience and sometimes you must learn by what you do correctly, and sometimes what you do incorrectly...or by learning how you will do something differently the next time.

I find myself writting down the order i need to do things in. During complex projects i always get excited or forget the order i planned out originally.

That's a great habit, ToyTundra, and sometimes on more complex or involved builds I make a list to be sure I didn't leave anything out.

But as to the orignial question - I've found that I tend to paint things that are the same color, or a single part on the 1:1 after glueing. For example, on an engine, I will glue the engine and transmission halves together, and then paint them. I would paint the valve cover seperately, then glue it on top. Like everyone else has said, the true order will vary from kit to kit, and you will only know what to do after a few flubs and plenty of trial and error. I recall a motorcycle I built, and was unclear on the construction order, so I painted all the body panels before assembly. Disaster!

Thanks for the replies all I'm just going to dig in and see what works. One other quick question: I'm painting with enamel and use the thinner. Should I pour a little thinner out and clean my brush that way or just put the brush into the whole bottle of thinner?

One other quick question: I'm painting with enamel and use the thinner. Should I pour a little thinner out and clean my brush that way or just put the brush into the whole bottle of thinner?

Definitely use a seperate jar for cleaning your brushes. Otherwise you will end up with a bottle of black/grey/brown tinted thinner that is useless for thinning paint any more. In fact see if you can find a cheaper alternative thinner to clean your brushes, save the good stuff for your paint ;)

I'm assuming you're using Testor's Enamels (though it could well be Humbrol or another type). Testors markets a bottle of "Brush Cleaner" which I figure is nothing more than a big bottle of thinner. I get one of these $2 bottles every year abouts, and haven't had any problems.