Hey Guys!
I was wondering this morning about why most modelors paint armor after they assemble the kit.
Is there any difference compared to painting first?
For me it depends on the size of the model [:)] The 1/35 Italeri S-boot I painted as I went along. Armor is a more managable size and there is less chance of damaging the paint job if you assemble first [2c]
Julian
I build the major components and paint them as a unit after. However, for all the add ons: tools, machine guns, running gear and tracks, I paint that off the vehicle and add it after construction.
I do it this way so that my construction process does not mar the painted finish.
I actually really admire those who can build an entire model and then paint it. I have never figured out an effective way to do that, so I don’t.
No hard and fast rule here. Sometimes a subject (like a complex Flak gun) will need smaller details painted which will be inaccessible later. Something straightforward like a Sherman tank: I build the whole thing and paint afterwards.
What Roy said. It depends on the subject of the model, and also,to a certain extent,on the scale. Mostly,I paint 1/72 tanks as one piece (except for things like tools and machine guns,which are easier painted off-model. Wheeled vehicles often have more complex shapes,however,and these I paint in sub-assemblies,before bringing the whole thing together for weathering.
Also, you have to remember that I build for pesonal pleasure, and not for competition.If I were to build for competition,I would almost certainly paint tracks and road wheels separately, so that the bits of the model that can’t normally be seen (such as the insides of road wheels) are properly painted.
Cheers,
Chris.
For me, it’s just easier to paint after assembly… I use mostly rattle-cans on mono-colored tanks and AFVs, so it’s quicker that way. Plus, I don’t have to worry about scraping paint away from parts that got painted on the trees… But, it’s always going to depend on the vehicle…
I’m also in the “it depends” school…especially if working with open top vehicles or vehicles mounting an external weapon like a Flakpanzer or SPG. I always try to do as much assembly as possible prior to painting though for the simple fact that the best possible glue bond is always achieved when you’re working with styrene on styrene. That and I hate scraping paint. [;)]
I’m not trying to hijack this thread, but I do have a ‘follow-up’ question for all you ‘Paint it after it is constructed’ types. How do you do the tracks and road wheels? That is my biggest bugaboo about trying to paint after the build is done - I just don’t see how to get the different paint colors where they need to go without messin’ up the other paint colors…
I am another depends kind of modeler (and it has nothing to do with my age or flowmax) Complex models I break into units.Hopefully the units can be assembled without scraping paint (Bill [;)]).
When doing camo patterns this is a bit more difficult but can be done with careful planning. Tracks and road wheels separate, then assembled. Tools, and other caary items done off the model then put on before weathering.
Rounds Complete!!
Boyd.
If you are attaching tools, spare tracks. etc, to a painted surface, I suppose you are using CA glue ? What about the white frosting you get after CA hardens ? Or am I using too much ? Wouldnt you get a better bond unpainted styrene to unpainted styrene ? Just curious.
Tracks and road wheels are things I typically paint separate and then install after the main vehicle has been painted for just the reasons you outline. [;)]
I paint tools on the model. I just slip pieces of paper beneath to act as a barrier and paint away w/my fine brushes.
It depends… [:D]
Depending on what I am attaching - sometimes I scrape a little paint away and use regular old model glue; sometimes I’ll mask the contact surfaces before painting, and other times I will use CA. So far I have not had the white frosting (or at least I have not noticed it), so perhaps you are going a little heavy.
Exactly. I can’t figure it out either.
Tracks and roadwheels… Hmmm… Again, it depends… Tanks & AFVs with overlapping wheels get the suspension painted separately, but as long as I can assemble the suspension with movable wheels, I paint afterwards. I use a Sharpie to do the rubber portion after the vehicle gets shot with the color-coat, in most cases… I paint the tracks after assembly as well… Sherman-type suspensions I always try to leave articulated so I can easily provide a “sprung” look to it when I fasten the vehicle to the base (I use a bolt/washer/nut to do so)…
Add-ons lke pioneer tools and such get painted in-place about 80% of the time, depending on how easily reached they are…
When I paint tracks and roadwheels in place (which is pretty much allof the time,I brush-paint, using thinned acrylics and best-quality brushes.the thinned paint and top-quality brushes mean that I don’t leave brush-marks. Also,I use the largest brush that I feel confident with for a particular piece of work, which also helps minimise brush-marks.
I have some dampened cotton buds handy when I paint road wheels. That way, if some paint gets where I don’t want it to go, I can quickly wipe it off.
Here are some recent examples of work I’ve done using these methods. These are 1/72 or 1/76:
and these are 1/35:
Cheers,
Chris.