But can anyone take a minute and explain the basic steps in the proper order to making a nice model?

The question I am sure sounds pretty stupid to some of you but I would genuinely like to know. What is the first major step you take to the last? Dont explain your techniques rather just the basic major steps in order.

For instance, do you spray the major parts of your models with the base color before you even take them off the tree? When do you apply weathering? I could go on all day but when I get a model this weekend I would like to have a point by point procedure I should follow. The techniques will come but until then I just want to do as much right as I possibly can.

After looking through the gallerys I am blown away, it seems like you are all pro's here! Just checked GunTrucks stuff out and I am speachless to say the least.

Something to strive for!

Thanks and I will cool down with all the questions.

Jason

Most of us rarely paint on the sprue if for no other reason you'll have to touch up the attachment point. Paint the interior as a subassembly. Assemble the kit. Fill and file seams as needed. Prime, if you like, especially if you suspect there are areas that may need more filing and filing. Paint the kit. Apply a gloss coat (this will reduce the likelihood of sivering the decals when air is trapped beneath the carrier film). Apply decals. Some choose to do another gloss coat here, some go directly to a flat coat. Weather as you see fit. A wash will accent the panel lines and drybrushing will enhance dimensional detail. Add any exhaust stains, etc.
PS: If you can get up to Nashua NH on 19 October, I'll be at Granitecon. A bunch of us posters were at Patcon earlier this month.

Jason,

Al nailed it. The only thing I would add is that before I started to use my airbrush, and this only applies to armor models, I used to paint the road wheels with the base color of spray paint while they were still on the tree. Just worked out easier for me than chasing those rascals all over.

Remember, ask questions along the way and if you can, post pictures. Everyone here is more than happy to help. Chances are someone out there had the same question that you did and just by asking you helped someone else.

Fire away...

Shaun

By all means - ask away. We'll either answer directly or point you to a previous thread - or both.
Basics -
Research! You do however much you want. Determine how much detail you want or if its going to be OOTB (out of the box).
Wash the kit - eliminate release residue - cleans your hands too.
Build subassemblies - I don't follow the steps anymore, I jump around.
Base coat is applied to subassemblies
(At this point it varies for me. Depending on the level of 'stuff' on the kits and the camo scheme or paint job that is required. So it kinda depends. )
Assemble all parts (make sure you remove paint from glue points, glue wont work well through the paint)
Put on finish paint job. camo scheme masking, overall paint...
Then a clear gloss finish (gives washes and decals a nice surface).
Then I do decals. I cut as much of the extra clear film away from the color part as possible using a #11 blade.
Maybe another clear gloss coat to protect the decals (depends)
Then I do washes (very thinned out amount of paint to bring out shadows and detail)
Then I'll do some weathering such as air brushed dust coat to get a nice coverage of paint.
Then some drybrushing to bring out more detail.
Then I do a dull coat.
Then I do weathing such as pastels

Thats the basics for me.

Thank you all so much, this forum is a wealth of information. I am super excited to jump back into this and having the proper tools for the first time in my like should make a huge difference.

AJLaFleche,

I would love to check that out in Nashua. Can you give me some details as to what the whole get together is? Is it a model show where people will be judging or what not? A time and place as well as some directions from Boston would be greatly appreciated. Sounds like a blast whatever it is

This is a judged contest with vendors put on by Granite State modelers. Here is their website with a link to a rather large PDF file of the flyer. http://www.dougd.hispeed.com/gsmc/index.htm
and a link with directions from Boston. I think you'll be taking I-93 north to start out' http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&2ex=1&src=maps&ct=NA&1y=US&1a=&1p=&1c=boston+&1s=ma&1z=&1ah=&2a=120+Daniel+Webster+Hwy&2s=NH&2c=Nashua&2ic=31&2ex=1&2g=oPjiETVUb0o%253d&2y=US&2z=03060-5214&2l=2xqBQkEzrxE%253d&lr=2&x=87&y=9 " TARGET="_blank"> http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&2ex=1&src=maps&ct=NA&1y=US&1a=&1p=&1c=boston+&1s=ma&1z=&1ah=&2a=120+Daniel+Webster+Hwy&2s=NH&2c=Nashua&2ic=31&2ex=1&2g=oPjiETVUb0o%253d&2y=US&2z=03060-5214&2l=2xqBQkEzrxE%253d&lr=2&x=87&y=9

Hi,
All the previous people have just nailed it,But If you really wann make a good looking model,without going through all the tequniqes there are,try building and painting EXACTLY how they say it,and just so some weathering,and apply a clear gloss coat before the decals,and then a flat coat,and you'll have a beautiful model.

Hi all the above are leading you correctly down the ole spru tree... The one area that I really like to stress is washing your model in slighty warm soapy water and then rinse it off (I usually dip it) with cooler water. I never like to spend the extra time before, but once I saw what a difference it made, it is now a standard step for my serious projects.

Cheers Ox

Jason, you don't need to ask permission, you are much a part of this site as any other member. ....

I'm sure I'm going to duplicate the answers, but I doubt of nowadays, no-one paints the kit parts on the sprue. When I was a kid, I can remember being thought of a heretic when I started assembling kits and then painting. I don't think the results were that much better but it seemed more logical to me at the time. All of us still paint sub-assemblies for example.

As you are starting again, just be relaxed about it.. You have an advantage, most of the rest of us have, firstly you will have an innate sense of color and a more developed sense of proportion than the majority. It's simply a combination of disciplines, clean construction, a bit of painting skill (albeit in 3 dimensions) add into that, the FEEL that something looks right, enjoy yourself above all.....Jim

Thank you all so much, I am absolutely pumped to get started.

This Saturday night I am heading down the cape with my wife to celebrate our first anniversary as a married couple. When I get home Sunday I am heading off to the hobby shop for a kit and air brush and then to Target for the air compressor.

I will be sure to post pictures of her when I finish.

Thanks a ton for all the advice.

Jason

I hope you are talking about your model and not your wife... #:-) Congrats on both subjects making it through your first year and welcome to the world of plastic junkies.

Take Care - Ox