Hey folks. I’m fixing to get back into my model building days and relized that I can’t remember the best way to paint. So what is a general rule to follow? Paint as I go or paint after I build?
Short answer - yes.
All depends on your style and the kit you’re painting.
Personally, I prefer to paint fiddly bits (on an aircraft - cockpit details, wheels and tires, gear struts, props, etc) before I slap them on, but I prefer to build up the main structure before painting so I can fill/sand as necessary.
The P-47 I’m building now, as a quick example…I’m planning to paint and detail the engine, then paint the interior and exterior of the cowl before attaching it to the rest of the fuselage. That way I can mask off the red cowl ring and the engine opening all in one go when it’s time to paint the camoflage.