Painting a Scratchbuilt/kit building question

[csolivais1979]

When assembling a kit or scratchbuilding a building, do you assemble the kit or scrachbuilt item and then paint it, or paint it and then assemble and weather it? I have read that people do it both ways and was wondering which was the better way to go.  Thanks for all the help!

[DKS]

There are no hard and fast rules. Painting is done whenever and however it can produce the best results. This can be a function of a) how many colors are involved; b) if it's more advantageous to apply different colors to subassemblies verusus masking and painting; and c) how difficult it is to get the paint into certain areas. As a result, you have to think about the finishing process almost constantly as you progress with construction.

Example: the roof of a station is steep and has eaves that are long, the result being many deep recesses where roof and walls meet; these areas would be difficult to paint. One solution would be to paint the walls and roof separately before assembling them. Another example: windows that are of a different color than the walls are almost always painted separately--assuming they are separate parts.

Weathering, on the other hand, usually looks best when applied to a completely finished model.

Hope this helps.

[wm3798]

On something generic like a DPM kit, I'll generally paint everything unassembled.  I start by shooting the interior surfaces with flat black to prevent light leaks, then I'll hit the exterior with the overall body color.  Since DPM windows are cast as part of the wall, once the exterior paint color is cured, I take clear packing tape and mask the wall, then cut out the window openings so I can shoot them with white, or what ever color I'm using.  This cures the tedium of hand painting the individual frames and sashes.

Then I go back over it with a brush to do the little touch ups.

On other kits, I'll shoot the black unassembled, then build up sub-assemblies, such as the roof system as a unit, the exterior walls, etc.  These then get the exterior paint before the addition of windows and details.

The key is to break down the process so you don't end up creating work for yourself!
Lee

[3rdrail]

Circumstances alter cases. For example, if I am building a plastic kit where I will use all the parts as designed, I will generally paint and decal the parts prior to assembly. If I am modifying parts or combining parts, I will assemble the modified or combined parts first then paint.

Also, on plastic kits where the windows, etc., are cast integral to the walls, it is easier to paint these on a flat surface, so assembly follows painting. As to wooden kits, I prime all parts prior to assembly. For final colors, amount of assembly varies with the number of contrasting colors used.

I generally weather structures after assembly, but before glazing is applied.

[railbuilderdave]

I like to paint when the building is built as the weathering would be more like the real thing if you have colors run onto others and so on.  When you are weathering wood I find it's best to do weathering before you build because the water will weaken the glue and the wood structure will fall apart.
Dave

[csolivais1979]

Thanks for the help everyone!