Six of the Most Common Mistakes Made in the Plastic Model Hobby

Mistakes are always fun. Too much glue here, a run in the paint there. Usually they are fixable but it is seldom fun doing so especially after working hard on your project only to see a defect that was avoidable. What follows is a guide to avoiding a few of the most common mistakes made when starting out in the plastic model hobby!

Always work on newspaper, a couple of layers and any spills are easily cleaned up. Not really a mistake in itself, just a helpful hint.

1.) Using too much glue:
Always use the smallest amount possible, the end of a tooth pick works wonders at this. Use a ceramic tile to put a drop of plastic model cement on or super glue if you're an experienced modeler (super glue can be a bad thing for young modelers as it can instantly glue fingers together or worse). Then use a toothpick to transfer glue to the piece your working on. A single ceramic tile can be found at any home improvement store without rupturing your savings account. It's even possible to get one or two free if you know someone with leftover tile from a remodel.

2.) Losing parts:
Few things can spoil your plastic model faster than losing a side mirror or other small part. Keep the area you work in clean and keep small parts in an old pill bottle or small box. A wide assortment of clear plastic boxes with dividers are available that work very well for this.

3.) Breaking parts off plastic sprue trees:
What you end up with are broken parts or parts with holes in them, always use side cutters to separate the parts from the trees. Then trim them with a hobby knife or better yet clean them up with a modeler's file. The file is a much better choice for our younger hobbyists.

4.) Clean off any mold seams or flashing:
A seam shows as a fine line down the middle of your plastic part. A small plastic modeling file works best for these and they come in a variety of shapes to suit most every need. Flashing is the left over plastic that seeps from the mold and looks like thin sheets protruding off the seams.
Cut it away with a hobby knife and file it smooth.

5.) Clean the model before painting:
Vinegar and water for the metal parts, dish soap and water for the plastic. Use lukewarm water and an old toothbrush then rinse them well. When clean, dry them with a lint free cloth. Give the model plenty of time to air dry completely before painting.

6.) Spray paint in thin coats:
I can't stress this enough, one or two heavy coats will only get you a mess, while many light coats with ample drying time between will cure those runs in your award winning paint job.

Attach the model to a box that will allow you to hold the model without touching it, masking tape with the sticky side out formed in an "o" shape will hold it from an unpainted side to the small box. On a model car under the roof is best. If you need to tape to a painted surface let it dry for at least two days, more if possible or it may lift the paint when you separate the two.

Leave the plastic model taped to the box and place the painted model in an area where it can't be contaminated by dust or pet hair. Let it dry; do not touch it for another two days at least. Drying time is affected by temperature and humidity, if you have either where you live increase your drying time it will not hurt the model but fingerprints may.

Following these tips will help reduce mistakes, leaving more time to enjoy your hobby!