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 Summer
is here and upon us and you may be running out
of things to do. To help keep your parent (s)
sane, may I suggest a new hobby? Like assembling
plastic model kits, whether if you like cars,
boats, or military, it can be bring hours of fun
and help with your boredom. Assembling model
kits can not only kill some time, but can be
very helpful in building some skills. I am not
going to bore you with all the skills you will
learn, because the results may vary with each
person. I want to share with you some tips and
tricks to modeling that will make assembling
plastic model kits more enjoyable and a lot
easier to start modeling.
What should you buy?
When I started modeling, I made few mistakes
along the way and wasted some of my hard earned
money. Or should I say…Spent a lot of my
allowance only to not complete the model kit.
This where I help you save some money-I hope!
Oh, I began modeling with the easy ones; The
“Snap-fit” models or models that don’t require
any glue or paint to assemble. Starting these
models got me hooked into assembling more
models. Beginning with the easy ones may seem
really lame, but it will help you discover if
you like modeling and if you want to try
something harder. How do you know what is
harder? Well….Model kits all come with a skill
rating. Revell/Monogram skill rating, one of
the most popular to buy, their model kits come
with different skill ratings. Not only Revell,
but many other makers of plastic model kits have
same skill ratings:
1.
Skill Level 1: The easiest to
assemble. Does not require glue or paint for
assembly. For ages 8 years of age and up.
2.
Skill Level 2: Intermediate skill
level. Does require some previous experience in
modeling. Contains not only more parts for
assembly, but the parts may be smaller than
skill level 1. Does require glue or paint for
assembly. For ages 10 and up.
Skill Level 3: Advanced
skill level. May have many complex parts. Does
require glue, paint, complex directions, and a
lot of patience to assemble. For ages 12 and
up.
Skill rating may go as high as level 6. All
model kits come with a skill rating. Check and
make sure you don’t buy something that is too
hard. The allowance I wasted? I bought a
Tamiya Model kit when I was about ten. It had
rating of “expert”. I remember spending about
$35 dollars on the kit. I thought it was the
greatest. Went home opened the model kit and
tried to assemble it. Needless to say…I did not
finish the kit. I ended up putting the model
together wrong and the model was ruined.
Basically, buy a model kit that you feel
comfortable with. Remember….Model kits may
only take an hour to assemble and some may take
months to assemble.
Some Helpful Tips
Ø
When handling small parts that are hard to
handle, see if your Mom or Dad have some
tweezers to handle the parts. This will
definitely ease the frustration.
Ø
When gluing the plastic model parts together,
try using a toothpick to apply the model cement
onto the part. This way you control the amount
of glue. Not only can you use the toothpick to
apply, but you can use it to spread the glue
out-rather than your finger.
Ø
Use plastic modeling spray paint for painting
large sections of a model. Hand painting these
with a brush will take time and not look as
clean as spray paint. Like car bodies, tank
bodies, ships, and airplanes.
Ø
Use an X-acto™ Knife to cut parts off their
retainers. This way you have less chance of
breaking your part you need from the holder.
*Be very careful when handling the knife. The
knife pictured below is generally used in
modeling. It if reletively inexpensive for the
beginner and you can buy replacement blades.
Knife is very light and easy to handle.
X-Acto Knife $2.99
Ø
 1
Ø
Once the part is cut away, remove the extra
holding off the part. Or what I like to call the
“Booger”. This extra piece may not fit well the
other pieces you are assembling; so, you want to
make sure you remove the extra from the part.
Pictured is a car body from the Knight Rider TV
series. 1980’s TV show. I have highlighted
the extra that should be removed. Now, if
there is a indent or too much of the part was
left on the holder of the part, then you can use
some body filler to fill in the missing
plastic. This is more than a beginner topic,
but I let you know if you are interested in
filling the gaps in the parts. Most hobby
stores will have the plastic body filler for the
model you are working on.
Ø
Set up a place that can be used for modeling. A
place that can be left alone and does not have
to be moved. You will have parts recently glued
and you don’t want to move them because they
might fall apart.
Ø
Use a place mat for assembly and painting. You
can buy a place mat from the hobby store or you
can make your own. I used newspaper. It was
free and provided a large area to work with. Use
at least three layers or more of newspaper-So
model glue don’t soak through and stick to Mom
or Dad’s furniture. Lastly, the top newspaper
can be easily thrown away and you have new and
clean fresh sheet to work on underneath.
Ø
Read and follow the modeling directions that
came with the kit.
Ø
When handling the model kit parts, make sure
there is no glue on your fingers. Not that your
fingers will never let go of the part, this
keeps the parts you are working with clean. Many
a times I had my finger print on a clear plastic
part or somewhere on the model. Kind of hard to
get the glue off.
Ø
Work in a area with a lot of light. This helps
to see what you’re doing.
Ø
If you are having trouble with your model kit,
then ask for help. Whether it is your Mom, Dad,
brother or sister, or just somebody older than
you, you might be surprised to find they like
helping you.
Ø
Use soft tip brushes when painting for detailing
your model.
Ø
The smaller the tip brush, the finer the detail.
Ø
The more model kits you build, the better you
will get.
Ø
Work in a well ventilated area if using glue or
paint. Basically means working where you can
get plenty of fresh air and you’re not smelling
paint and glue all the time. For instance:
Don’t lock yourself in your small closet to work
on your model with paint and glue, because your
Mom or Dad told you to go to bed and you did not
want to wake them up.
Ø
Be patient, patient, and more patient. If the
directions on the paint can say: Allow 4 hours
to dry, let the paint dry for four hours. If
after drying for two hours on your model, you
decide and test with your finger to see if the
model was dry, most likely will have a finger
print where you tested because the paint was not
dry.
Ø
Take your time and let the glue dry. I know it
is tempting to test and see, but don’t do it.
Ø
Lastly, Modeling is supposed to be fun. It is OK
to get frustrated from time to time. If you get
frustrated, take some time off or ask for help.
Check out what the possibilities are for
modeling. Granted, this guy, Roy Wells from
the United Kingdom, may have years of
experience, but with a lot of practice you may
building you next show winning diorama.
These are actual pictures of models-Not the Real
Thing! Great Work Roy!
To see more of Roy Wells work:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rs_wells/Frame.htm
Thanks Roy for sharing your work
2
You got some great tips and some inspiration.
What are you waiting for? Get your model!
Remember: You are not just building models…You
are building great memories while building
models.
About the Author:
Bradley Blanski Owner of
Odin Art & Collectables, webmaster, and also
selling collectable
Car,
Armor,
Air Plane, and
Ship plastic model kits. One time modeler
for years. Any additional questions, I can be
reached at
Odin Art Feedback
References:___________________________________________________________________
1.
X-Acto Knives at X-acto.com is
copyrighted material with express permission of
X-Acto. Knife pictured is a X3201 No. 1
Precision Knife.
2.
Pictures were supplied by Roy Wells with
the express permission for informational
purposes only. All pictures supplied in this
article are copyright material.
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