Building any type of model craft from plastic model kits can be a fun-filled, rewarding and educational activity. Plastic model kits come in a wide variety of designs from jet planes to dinosaurs. For beginners, it is essential to start with a design that is simple, straightforward and easy to manage. There are several sites that offer tutorial assistance, as well as plastic model kits for sale. Ehobbies.com supplies plastic model kits online and offers quite a variety. The prices range from $4.99 for a sailboat kit to $153.99 for a more advanced Fighter jet model kit. For the beginner, it is essential to note that building a plastic model kit requires four basic stages. These are planning, assembly, painting and finishing. These four steps will guarantee a smooth transition from start to finish.
Planning
The first step in planning is to decide what plastic model kit you wish to start with. Deciding what should be built should take into consideration the skill level and confidence of the individual. Always start slowly. Choose a very basic design for the first build project. Plastic model kits for airplanes alone can range from fighter planes to gliders with many other choices in between.
After selecting the plastic model kit, do some research. Study the real life design of the model. Visualize the assembly mentally and learn all the specifications of the model. Find out what parts to assemble first, what parts should be painted first and generally get a feel for the plastic model kit.When all this has been accomplished, proceed to step two.
Assembly
Ensure that all the pieces are included and accounted for. Then, make sure that all the parts are clean. Dusty, lint-filled parts will not adhere as well as clean ones. Remove dust and oil by wiping the pieces with warm water and a bit of soap. Once clean, rinse well and dry thoroughly. Now that the pieces are clean and dry, they may now be freed from their sprues. Remove the parts from their sprues using a sharp pair of scissors. Never use a knife! A knife can damage both you and the parts. Ensure that the parts fit together in place before applying the glue or plastic cement, as required. When applying, only put glue on one portion of the piece and do not use too much glue. Excess glue will prevent adherence and prolong the assembly time. When two pieces are to be glue together, clamp them together until the glue sets. Always use plastic model kit cement very sparingly. Complete assembly, then move to painting.
Painting
- Always paint in a well ventilated room
- Ensure parts are clean before painting
- Use masking tape to ensure neatness
- Use warm water to strip paper from decals
Finishing
- Ensure both paint and glue dries properly
- Use a sharp knife to cut out decals
- Allow decal to dry for at least 1 hour
