Over 20 years ago I used to build plastic models. It started with cars and trucks, mainly hot rods from the 1970’s. Then it evolved to Star Trek models. I had the entire fleet from the original series, later it was all of the movies and all of the ships from STNG.
As I built the models I learned, sometimes the hard way, other times by reading and researching at the library, the internet did not exist then, and from other modelers tips and tricks.
Here is what I learned:
- Always keep on hand while modeling: a damp rag and a dry rag.
- Tooth picks make great applicators for glue, adhesives and even paint. They also come in handy for holding things down when your fingers are too large while working on the item with the other hand.
- Cotton swabs make great applicators for glue adhesives, paint, decals, etc.
- Have on hand a magnifying glass of some type.
- A “third hand” tool, such as a device called Helping Hands is a great investment when model building of any kind.
- Have and keep all of the tools used specific to your hobby in a small tool box.
- A bottle of alcohol and cotton swabs or the pre-saturated alcohol pads are a good cleaner and surface prep. tool.
- Have on hand some sort of pre-saturated wipes. I use Wet Ones Big Ones.
- Before touching surfaces that need to be glued or painted clean your hands.
- Have a first aid kit handy.
- If you’re doing something tricky and not easy to understand, practice on scrap pieces before applying it to the real application first, especially when gluing and painting.
- Have a set of brushed meant for painting only and a set only meant for applying/spreading glue and adhesives, so not use the same set for both.
- Use the right paint and when necessary primer for the job.
- Use the right glue or adhesive for the job.
- rubber bands make great clamps.
- Almost anything solid that weighs at least a pound can be used to weigh