How to Build a Plastic Model Plane Starting from a Kit

Make sure all parts are clean. Dust and oil could prevent the adhesion of paints and glues, as well as diminish the authenticity and "appearance" of the model.You can remove dust and oil with warm water and a small amount of detergent.Immerse the parts, still on their pins, in a shallow tub for a few minutes, shaking them occasionally.Then rinse them thoroughly before drying them with clean paper towels.Once assembled, the parts can no longer be washed with water and detergent.

Use a small pair of scissors or shears to remove the parts from their pins. Using a knife to peel them off is difficult, dangerous and could damage the material.Only once the various elements have been detached can you use a thin knife to remove any residue of the pin still attached.

Before gluing the parts, make sure the contact points are clean and that the components fit together correctly. Apply the plastic cement only on one of the parts.Too much plastic cement will not only prolong the bond time or prevent components from adhering properly, but may also melt and warp the parts.Plastic cement should be used sparingly.When gluing light parts, such as windows or roofs, try to avoid using it, as it may "fog" the light plastic even in areas where it is not applied directly.For this type of component, use white glue.

• Gaps between parts may become evident after assembly.To remove a gap that is too large to ignore, you may need to separate the parts, fix the problem, and re-glue them.Another option would be to fill the space with modeling putty or another substance that hardens as it dries and can be smoothed and painted.Only a very small amount of stucco will be needed;too much will be difficult to remove later, and in the case of clear parts, it may be completely impossible to remove without damaging the underlying material.Follow the instructions on the package and use a plastic tool to apply the putty, so as not to scratch the model.
• If an assembled part does not fit properly in some places, it may not be necessary to separate the parts and re-glue them.You could try using plastic cement.By applying a small amount of liquid glue to the outside, it will slide into the slot by capillary action.It is important not to use too much glue for the reasons described above, and also because too much glue could remain outside the crack and harden, forming unwanted bumps.Typically less than a drop will be enough.Once you have applied the glue, hold the parts together firmly until you have ensured the necessary level of adhesion.

After gluing two parts, you may need to hold them together until the glue sets. You can do this by holding them tightly with your hands, but there are also several tools that will allow you to do the same job.Rubber bands, plastic clothespins and cords are all suitable for this purpose.When applying the clips, make sure that the pressure exerted on the parts is enough to keep them together, but not enough to deform or break them.Make sure the clothespin you choose to use doesn't scratch the plastic.

Choose a suitable place to paint. It is not advisable to paint in places where dust and other particles could stick to your work.Choose a clean, dry place, between 5 and 30°C, to apply and let the paint dry.

Before painting a part, make sure it is clean and dry. Painting over other particles will not take them off or remove them, but will lock them under the paint.

Make sure the paint you plan to use is mixed until it reaches the right consistency. Start by hitting the closed paint container hard and repeatedly using the heel of your hand.After about 20 strokes, open the container and mix the paint thoroughly with a toothpick.A shortened piece of pin will make an excellent and practical stirring stick.

You may need to cover the parts adjacent to the one you need to paint, so as not to paint them by mistake. You can cover them with tape or masking liquid.Using the tape, you will need to cut out a piece the size of the area you want to cover.Before attaching it, it is advisable to remove some of its "adhesiveness" by applying it to another material and then removing it.This will make it easier to peel off the tape once the process is finished.When applying tape to the components, make sure not to leave gaps between the edges.For smaller or complex-shaped parts, however, it may be advisable to use masking liquid.To apply masking liquid, use an old, clean brush and wait for the substance to dry.Once you have painted the necessary piece, give the paint time to dry partially, but not completely, and then remove the liquid.Dry paint would risk “tearing” by removing the liquid, while areas with paint that is still too wet could allow drops to fall onto other components once the mask is removed.

If you paint with a brush, make sure it is the appropriate size and that there are no crooked or loose bristles. Brush painting should be reserved for smaller, more isolated areas, or parts that require a certain finish.Applying paint with a brush will leave streaks in the direction of the brush stroke:this technique should not be used for external parts or large surfaces.

Always follow the instructions included with your airbrush, but remember to keep it perpendicular and at a fixed distance from the model and to only paint in one direction (unless you are painting a camouflage pattern). Using an airbrush will allow you to apply an even layer of paint and, although it is suitable for larger surfaces, it can also be used on smaller components - the adjacent parts of which have been correctly covered.

Dry painting is a technique that requires only a small amount of paint, and is typically used to achieve the effect of being exposed to the elements. To dry paint, take a dry paint brush and apply only a small amount of paint.Remove the excess paint by passing the brush over a piece of paper, until only a very thin layer of paint remains which will allow you to obtain the worn effect you are looking for.You may need to re-apply paint and remove excess paint several times before achieving the desired level of effect.

After painting, you may decide that some parts need to be removed, in case they contain dust, have stained an adjacent part, or are simply the wrong color. To remove the paint, simply scrape it off or use a solvent.Removing paint by scraping it off is appropriate for small, flat parts and can be done easily with a small, sharp knife.Solvents vary from products designed specifically for removing paint to brake fluids, but the method of application usually remains the same.Using a brush, apply a small amount of remover to the area you want to remove the paint from.After waiting a certain amount of time, carefully remove it with a clean paper towel.Not only will the solvent come off, but also a small part of the paint.Repeat the process until you have removed everything.For larger parts it may be practical to immerse the entire piece in the solvent, in order to effectively remove the paint.

Make sure that all paint and glue applied to the model are perfectly dry. It is advisable to start applying decals the day after assembly and paint application.Make sure the model is free of contaminants and dust, so they don't get trapped under the decals.

Cut out any decals you want to apply with a sharp knife. It is not necessary to cut the decals to perfection, rather it is preferable to leave a few millimeters around each to avoid accidentally cutting them.

Fill a bowl or shallow bowl with hot water. The water should be at least warm, so as to remove the decal from the paper it has been applied to, but not too hot – never use boiling water.

Hold the paper where the decals have been applied with a pair of pliers. Make sure not to staple any part of the decals.

Soak the decal in warm water for about 20 seconds. It will lose most of its adhesive strength and will be ready to be applied to the model.

Hold the paper the decal is printed on near the part you are applying it to. The edge of the paper should be on the edge of the component, so that the decal transfers immediately from the paper to the model.Using a clean, damp paintbrush, move the decal over the component and position it appropriately.Make sure all air bubbles and creases are removed by smoothing them out with the brush.