I Got a Dumb Question

I just got my first modeling kit and I am about to do the first step, which is putting the two engine parts togethr. One half has holes and the other half has pegs that fit into th holes nicely. My question is do i have to glue the pegs to the holes?

and laso, do i paint before i put the two together?

I would glue the two parts together, then paint, unless the instructions say different.

Welcome to AF. From what I understand you are asking is which side do you put the glue on. Put it on whatever side you like, there is no wrong way, just use a small amount of glue though. Since this is your first model do whatever feels comfortable for you. I have built many models so what I do is glue the halves together, clean the seams (the ones that don't appear in 1:1 scale) and then prime it and paint it. When I first started I painted everything on the tree first and then glued. You will find it is hard to glue painted parts together though.

Please browse through the FAQ as there is lots of usefull information for a beginner. Make sure you take pictures and post them up. And there are no stupid questions when your starting (or when you got a few models under your belt either) believe me I still ask stupid questions, thats how we learn.

Mike

The only dumb questions are the ones you do not ask at all.
As for this one, I asked it like 5 years ago as well :D. The way I understand your question is IF you have to use any glue at all if there are holes and pegs at the parts. If it is a Tamiya kit the manual will say when not to glue parts (moving parts like wheels). Other brands I don't know much about, but most of the time it's easy to find out: If it can move and it has a function for it to move, then don't glue. The rest you just glue. Functions can be wheels, steering, opening doors and something like working windowwipers ;).

Before you make the mistake of using the same glue for the clear parts as well (like I have done couple of times..), use white glue or wood glue. I think I remember to have used wood glue for windows at least, its water based and wont melt / fog up your windows. I bet more modelers can help out on what glue to use where ;).

Bit long reply, but I hope you don't have to make mistakes I have done before. Modeling cars is way to nice to let it get ruined by wrong glue at wrong places ;).

Greetz,
Stefan

Imho, you don't need to glue the pegs to the holes because you need to glue the whole seam anyway if you want a perfect finish. The way to do that is to lightly clamp the two halves together, then use *extra thin* glue, eg, Tamiya extra thin in the bottle with the built in brush. Run the tip of the brush around the seam. The thin glue will magically soak into the seam and any glue left on the surface will evaporate away. The trick is to apply the glue lightly and smoothly, running it right off the very tip of the brush, not stroking it on like painting, but using the capillary action instead to suck the glue from the brush tip into the joint. When it's dry, clean up the seam and paint it. Don't use thick tube glue under any circumstances, it's impossible to apply neatly and doesn't evaporate so you get ugly globs everywhere.