I'm asking you the following question because it's really bugging me a lot:

" Do you paint your tank when all the assembly is done, with everything glued on, like tracks, tools, exhaust. ???? "

I'm asking this because each time I see a complete model (with no paint) on this website or in magazine, I wonder wheter it is really glued or just temporary assembled with (I don't no the english word) that kind of white or blue paste that we use to stick maps or posters on the wall.

Personnaly I test-fit the model, then I paint the accessories, tracks and hull separately. It works fine for me, but you know, I always want to upgrade my technique. And painting a fully assembled model sounds like full of technique!

Usually I put together everything, leaving off the tracks, road wheels, shovels etc... Then paint the model, and the pieces I left off, then assemble, and weather.

Phillippe,
I really think that most people will at some time or other try both ways. It really depends to a large degree also on how you paint your models, brush or spray. I have found that since I have begun to spray paint my models, I tend to assemble nearly everything before painting. It is very easy indeed to get nearly everywhere with a spray gun, and it can be done very quickly too. All that's needed afterwards is touching up by brush.

Vinnie

I paint with a brush (can't afford an airbrush) And do most of my painting before I put the model together. Some places you just can't reach when the model is assembled.

A little of both... depends on what i'm working on..

I guess you could say it troubled us all for a while. Theres no right or wrong, theres no better or worse way. Every modeller must find what works for them. As every kit is different, it must be taken on its own merits.
If I build a soft skin, I keep wheels seperate and any sub assemblies that fit in easily afterwards, like seats etc. If I build a tank with vinyl tracks, I add tracks and wheel afterwards. If the tank has indy tracks, I assemble all and paint afterwards. This is what works for me.
The experience gained after a few models and reading the instructions carefully, usually decides for you, what order you have to do things.
Pioneer tools and basic stowage I usually assemble, as it solves having to hold them to paint individually.

The best I can advise, is to buy 2 cheap similar kits .. (Italeri´s 222 and 223, or Tamiya´s M3 and M5 Stuarts for example) and entirally build one and do the other in sub-assemblies. This is good training and experience. Both are possible, both have advantages,both have dissadvantages, but you see what works best for you .... nobody can tell you this!

Hi Philippe,
this topic was just brought up a few weeks ago. I think the consensus was modelers build and paint how they feel comfortable, there is no right or wrong way. Myself I tend to build and paint in sub-assemblies, just easier for me.
regards,
Robert

As you gain experience, you will develope what works best for you, depending on the kit, subject matter, scale, and final finish you are trying for.
That's where the thought and problem solving part of the hobby developes, and we learn to use logic and reason during our builds.
And yes..... I still make mistakes, and trash kits.

Thank you for your numerous and quick answers, this forum is great for that.

So if I understand well, both technique are okay depending on the kind of model you're building or what you simply prefer. Both have pros and cons.

I just got a T-34/43 from Zveda, in an Italeri box (??), and it cost me like 15 $can, so I'll try to build it from A to Z, then do the paint job.

If it's convincing, I'll put german decals on.



see ya

Good Luck, and enjoy building it.
Hope to see the photos when you are done.

Logic and reason... hmmm Thanks Dave, I must try that some time ..where do I get them?
:-) :-)

Cheers
Henk

I often find myself ignoring kit instructions & assembling in a different order because of this issue. E.g. with a Sdkfz251, how are you going to paint the interior (which is very visible when complete) if you follow the instructions & glue the hull halves together? The answer is you can't, you've either got to paint the interior first, then glue the hull, & mask what's inside in some way when you come to paint the exterior (I think this is Teachers method from the reviews he's written, & I think he's got the right approach after my recent experiences, who mentioned Dragon!?); or you don't assemble it, paint it in one hit, then hope you don't screw up the paint job putting it together or find you've got gaps that need filling...deep joy! At least with a closed vehicle like a tank it's a lot easier. I tend to glue everything on in this case, then touch up the bits that don't need to be base colour. Obviously the tracks have to stay off until everything is painted, & are painted seperately. Remember that a lot of permanent external stowage on armoured vehicles (e.g.tools) would be painted to match anyway. I know a lot of modellers leave off delicate parts like width indicators until after they've done the base coats, to try to avoid knocking them off; sadly, the wisdom of doing this hasn't sunk in in my case yet, so most of my models have mirrors etc which have been glued at least twice!!! :-)