When I build a structure, should I paint first, then build; or build first, then paint?
I’ve painted buildings both ways, it just depends on how much detail is on the building. Are you using a brush or a spray gun?
I try as much as possible to paint things before assembly. With a building, if nothing else, you’d want to paint say the windows and doors before gluing them in place. If it’s a brick building, doing the brick and mortar is usually easier to do with the pieces of the walls still separate so you can lay them flat.
BTW I prefer to to spray both the inside and outside of the walls with primer gray, then paint just the outside walls the color of the building. Having a neutral, light color on the inside works nice if you decide to add an interior and/or lighting. (Some people say to paint the interior black to block light from leaking, but if you primer both sides with gray, it works fine and gives you a better starting point for doing a detailed interior.)
Big bits after construction,small bits on the sprue.[:)] (where practical)
Brent
I have also done both ways. For Cornerstone or DPM type structures that have whole walls to put together, I usually paint them first with a spray can [cheap kind from a hardware store - lots of colour choices] after first masking the edges that will be glued later. Use just 1 or 2 light coats. Depending on the model I may mask areas for putting on different base colours [as in a cornerstone merchants row I did recently]. Then I paint the window/door trim with acrylics and a small brush. I then put on any decals and weathering before dullcoating as a final step. I then put in the windows and glue the walls together, add the roof etc. For my current structure, a cornerstone diner, I decided to assemble it first - partly to see if I did want to paint it - it is in a dullish silver as it comes from the box. If I decide to paint it - probably with an airbrush this time as there is a lot of fine detail - I will mask the windows which is fairly easy with this particular model. Acrylic painting with a brush on raw plastic is a pain and usually requires several coats - I am thinking of switching to solvent based paints for brushpainting trim. Question: Does anyone out there have a technique for precoating plastic so that it takes acryilic paints better?
Alan
A good point. If you paint the joining surfaces where the glue goes, you will end up trying to glue paint together, not plastic. This doesn’t work well, and the joints will not hold. So, either mask them (I love blue painters’ tape) as Alan suggests, or perhaps be careful to scrape the paint off later before you glue the edges.
I generally find it easier to paint first and then glue. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter much. If you are attaching small parts, sometimes you want to glue first because it’s hard to keep the joining surfaces clear, and you’re going to have to touch them up later anyway.
The only down side I have seen to painting first is you have to be extremely careful and wear gloves when assembling your model. Some times the oils in your hands play heck on the painted surfaces.
I couldn’t agree more reguarding masking off the surfaces to be glued. I recently completed the Walthers back shop and three other buildings as part of a diesel servicing facility and I missed masking one of the surface to be taped off (good quality blue painters tape) and I wanted to smack myself right in the back of the head as the outside and inside wall were painted as well as all the windos installed etc. Trust me it’s well worth taking your time and masking off first. Also the rattle cans are a good idea to save you some $$$$ I found acrylic spray paint in Lowes the other day I can’t wait to try it out looks interesting.
Masking, I use Microcale Liquid mask, because then I don’t hae to conform tape to a small piee of trim. but if you have entire walls to mask, off, then love yu some tape
I would say paint first.
I learned with DPM kits to paint first then build. Touch up painting can be done afterward.
Another tip that I’ve found useful if you do have to stick something to a painted surface, is to use Walthers Goo adhesive. I use this to attach roof details such as vents and chimneys; can also use for attaching wall details such as lamps, steps and loading docks. The glue is messy and has to be used within a few minutes - squeeze a small amount on a scrap piece of wood - and apply only a dab with a tooth pick. Sealing the tube with the provided screw cap doesn’t work that well - I use a Marrette wire connector to cap the tube - easily replaced when it gets too gummy.
Alan