"Paint separate pieces then assemble or paint after assembly?" Topic

I have a quandary- I picked up the 1/32 Napoleonic kits that Victrix makes. I have had a blast putting some together- but I remember way back in my scale modelling days that you were supposed to paint the figure's pieces then assemble the figure. I am going to use these models for gaming, and the ones I have painted up are a real joy.

Does it make it easier to just do it the old way? Anyone have any thoughts?

I find painting after really the best way to go. unless there is a very specific build reason (airbrushing lots of hovertank skirts a different color than the body, for instance) then it tends just to create extra work pairing parts no one will ever see..

and, if you're gluing plastic with plastic glue, it might not bond because the paint is in the way…

Mr. Harold-

On smaller scale figures I would just assemble and paint. The scale of these makes it more conducive to do the old paint and build- I might try just one and see how it comes out. I was thinking of leaving the areas where the joins were unpainted.

Very true…the larger figure does give you something to hold on to while painting, and you are more apt to be able to see the unarms and such when assembled…

Paint after assembly.

I always paint and then assemble my PSC 15mm items, even though the box says to assemble then paint (I think). A little touch up after assembly handles any assembly blemishes to the paint job.

Paint after assembly of course … then again, I don't do plastic kit soldiers.

Hadn't realised there was a 'supposed to do it way', nor that what is clearly a peculiar way to do it is 'the old way' (I suspect this might be a GW thing, which would explain it's questionable origins …)..

When I convert military vehicles I tend to part assemble, then paint to see whether I'm happy with what I'm getting … but I'm always painting the 'done' bit, never the parts.

I've seen quite a few 'paint before assembled' figures (and they look like that's how they were done …)..

Glue. Then paint.

Paint after assembling for me also.

The paint before assembly bit was pretty standard advice for modelers before all the modern masking materials became available. Makes a lot of sense on something with lots of little windows like the assorted "flying greenhouse" bombers of WWII, or something with a detailed interior like car models. It definitely has its down side – you have to touch up where the sprue connects, and paint shields plastic from glue.

Used to paint then glue, now glue then paint – major time saver

Depends on what I am painting, sometimes its easier to paint then glue and vice versa. It also depends on the amount of detail that will difficult to paint once glued together! For example the packs on the Victrix British and French napoleonics I paint and then glue them in place, its easier for me to do it that way!

Yes, it depends on what the exact situation is, and this is the same on plastic model kits as it is on plastic figures (or multipart metal ones, for that matter). For example, I'm currently working on some GW Space marines, as well as an Academy 1/35 M12 HMC simultaneously. Both are getting the same techniques. For the Space Marines, I assemble everything but the backpacks and the arms. This is because there is detail on the chests that would be hard to paint if I assembled everything. Similarly on the M12, I'm leaving the howitzer off temporarily to facilitate painting. I use latex rubber as a frisket on the glue join areas, to prevent them from being painted.

Very often I look at the project, and determine my build sequence around how I'm going to paint the model. For vehicles FREX, especially ones with interior parts, or very dissimilar exterior parts (like an SA-9 Gaskin, with natural metal launchboxes, as opposed to the Russian Green hull), I'll modify the build sequence to make the painting portion of things easier.

Damon.

There are a very few kits that I paint part of them before assembly but for the most part it is assemble then paint.

Paint after assembly.

To a certain extent, it depends on how difficult painting certain bits would be after assembly (the back sides of shields come to mind) on the figures in question.

I generally assemble and then paint. However, I ALWAYS paint and then assemble ships under sail. The rigging gets in the way otherwise.