There are many reasons why model trains derail, sometimes it's a track fault, sometimes it's because the train isn't...
Valid to UK only - excludes oversized items
There are many reasons why model trains derail, sometimes it's a track fault, sometimes it's because the train isn't...
One of the most rewarding aspects of building a model railway is creating a realistic, living world in miniature....
The two-rail wiring principle is a fundamental concept in model railway wiring. It refers to the use of two separate...
Ejector pins are used in the injection moulding process of the manufacturing of plastic kits and die cast kits. They...
The main thing to remember about primers is that the brighter the primer, the brighter the topcoat. So if you want...
Christmas and New Year
We are dispatching orders every weekday apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
If you order is time critical, select next day delivery at checkout.
The shop in Sandown is closed from 25th December, reopening on 30th December.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to painting plastic kits.
One is to assemble everything and then paint, the other is to paint all parts on sprue and then assemble. It really comes down to personal choice.
Personally, I paint all parts on the sprue and touch up on removal from sprue, before assembly of kit. I find this an easier method as you don't have to try and get in to get into tight gaps and hard to reach places with a paint brush at the end.
Some modellers prefer to assemble component parts of the kit then build the main body and then paint. An example of this could be the cockpit of an aircraft as it will usually need to be assembled, painted and decaled before fitting to the main body of the aircraft, and this will need to be done before the main body can be assembled.
I would say that if you are painting a tracked vehicle, paint all the wheels on the sprue. It is much quicker than trying to paint when on the vehicle and also means less touching of the main body of the kit, which should minimise the risk of damaging the main body or causing fingertip contamination to the primed surface. By not having the wheels attached will also allow for a good coverage of paint and weathering on the hull.
Whichever way you decide is best for you, just enjoy yourself.
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Do I need to wash my plastic kit?
Do I need to use a primer?
What is Milliput?
What is weathering?
What modelling tools do I need to get started?