discussion Ĺwhen To Prime?

[Guest]

Hi I used to build air fix models as a kid and recently I've caught the bug again only concentrating on 1/35 scale resin figures and ww2 vehicles. I primed my figures with grey car primer as I paint everything by hand with vallejo acrylics but I was wondering about an upcoming project I have. I recently bought an academy king tiger tank and I was wondering whether to prime everything on the sprue before I start or partially build and prime then paint as I go? I read somewhere that some parts of the kit can be quite tight to fit together if painted first. Any advice anyone can give me will be greatly appreciated. I've included a pic of the last figure I painted just before Christmas. It's no masterpiece but we all have to start somewhere lol

 

[Guest]

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[Guest]

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[Guest]

Its all down to logistics! Some parts are fine to prime on the sprues, as long as you accept that, upon snipping them off, you are gonna have bare patches! This isn't always a problem, but sometimes is.


I hate trying to assemble pre-painted parts, personally. Some folks love it! My method with 1/35 Armour is to assemble as much as I can, excluding wheels, then prime the lot in one. I leave the wheels off so's I can get jiggy with mud and stuff. I really enjoy painting the tools etc in situ, fiddly, but well satisfying!

 

[Guest]

Nice work on those figures, you'll have no trouble painting surface detail on the tank itself with those skillz!!

 

[Guest]

Nice work on those figures, you'll have no trouble painting surface detail on the tank itself with those skillz!!

thanks

 

[eddiesolo]

As John points out, it is all about taking the time to look at what is going to be a pain to get at when assembled. Most tanks wheels are best painted off the kit, primed and then painted before assembly, as can smaller items. Main hull parts, gun etc can be primed and painted once assembled. It is a learning curve as to what you feel capable and what works for you.

 

[Guest]

I often think that kit manufacturers could warn builders - particularly beginners or returners to the hobby - that some parts or sections are best painted separately. For instance, if you follow the instructions to the letter, you'll have glued the unpainted tracks on too, which will prove tricky for all but the most experienced. But as Si says, you will learn from each build. Plus, a King Tiger is nice and big, so there shouldn't be any major issues. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

 

[Guest]

As John & Si have said, I prefer to prime a fully built kit as with my Tiger here


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The small parts like tools I leave until the end. As I use enamels, I don't feel the need to prime them.


Look forward to seeing some pictures of your King Tiger

 

[stona]

+1. I build aircraft but the principals are the same. I tend to build up a sub-assembly and then paint that. Gluing painted parts has never worked for me.


As for instructions, some are good, some are terrible. I believe that following the instructions on my current project would be nothing short of a recipe for disaster!


Cheers


Steve

 

[monica]

I tend to do both ways on the same build,some parts I prime and paint on the spur,


and then when put together do the toutchup work ,find it a lot easier with wheels,I hate them so


much,but find it easier having them flat,and the same as tools rope,chains and so on,s.


prime and paint ,and put on before the weathering starts,


nice work on the figures as well,

 

[Guest]

+1. I build aircraft but the principals are the same. I tend to build up a sub-assembly and then paint that. Gluing painted parts has never worked for me.
As for instructions, some are good, some are terrible. I believe that following the instructions on my current project would be nothing short of a recipe for disaster!


Cheers


Steve

It beggars belief, doesn't it? I know that some of it is lost in translation, but, imo, a lot of it is a result of the person designing the instruction sheet being overly familiar with the build, and they need to distance themselves from it to see it from the perspective of someone diving in for the first time. A familiar dilemma for anyone involved in teaching!

 

[tanktrack]

if you build the main parts and then prime ,then you can see any faults that stand out and correct before starting to put on top coat.

 

[Guest]

Yeah I was building the master box Mercedes benz staff car and I found the instructions a nightmare. I left half the engine and steering linkage out just because it wasn't obviously visible and I couldn't make out what way to put them in

 

[Guest]

But thanks for all the help everyone has given me here

 

[Guest]

its better to build then paint cuz u might need to do some extra work like sanding or using filler to fill gaps.