| As a hobbyist it can be an enjoyable pastime to build | | | | or at joints between the wings and the fuselage. Just |
| your own model plane. Here are some tips for creating | | | | fill these gaps with putty or super glue and finish the |
| a better-looking plastic model plane. These tips will help | | | | surface with sandpaper once the filler dries out. |
| you to build plastic model planes. | | | | 6. (a) If you are brush painting your model plane make |
| 1. When you get your model plane kit make sure that | | | | sure that you have at least three brush sizes, wide |
| you wash all the parts properly with soap and water | | | | medium and fine with you before you start painting. |
| as plastic parts are made by injection molding and are | | | | Never overlap brush strokes or try repainting any area |
| covered with a chemical that is used to release the | | | | that is still wet. If another coat is necessary, wait until |
| parts from the injection mold. If not removed by | | | | the first coat dries out before applying the next one. |
| washing, this chemical will prevent proper paint | | | | When you finish painting clean your brushes with |
| adhesion to the model. Dry the parts using a hair dryer | | | | thinner and stack them upright in some old tin or cup. |
| after you wash them. | | | | (b) When painting with spray cans you may find that |
| 2. The first thing to assemble and paint should be the | | | | the flow slows down after some time. This is because |
| cockpit as this would be enclosed permanently in the | | | | the can cools down. The remedy is to place the can in |
| fuselage halves and it will be practically impossible to | | | | warm water for about ten minutes before using it |
| paint it later. | | | | again. |
| 3. Use only a minimum amount of glue. You should try | | | | (c) Though a bit costly, if you have an airbrush it is best |
| using only a thin line of glue around the fuselage and on | | | | as it will let you control the paint volume and air |
| the sides of the wings. If you find it difficult to control | | | | pressure letting you paint fine lines as desired. |
| the amount of glue, try using a pin for applying it. If not | | | | 7. The clear plastic canopy of your model plane has a |
| controlled during application excess glue will form lumps | | | | frame that needs to be painted. A good way is to |
| on the external surface that will require finishing with | | | | cover the whole canopy with masking tape and use a |
| sandpaper. | | | | sharp blade to cut and remove the tape only from the |
| 4. Alignment is of paramount importance during | | | | frame, which can then be painted and left to dry. After |
| assembly. All your efforts will be in vain if the result is a | | | | the paint dries, remove the rest of the tape from the |
| crooked airplane. The wings and tail should be | | | | canopy. |
| perfectly aligned with the fuselage. The best way | | | | 8. Apply a coat of clear gloss overcoat over the paint |
| would be to use tape for holding the big pieces | | | | to give your plane a shiny look. Once the gloss coat |
| together to check their alignment before glue is applied. | | | | dries, you can apply the decals, which will now look |
| 5. Many times you can observe gaps between the | | | | much better on the glossy surface. It the plane has a |
| pieces that have been glued together. More often | | | | naturally flat surface you can apply a clear flat coat |
| such gaps will be found between the fuselage halves | | | | after you apply the decals. |