Tips I wish I had known when I started!

When I look back on my time in the hobby, I can define it by two separate periods (spaced 25 years apart), with the  first being briefly in my mid to late teens, and the second in my 40’s, up to current date.  Each could be characterized completely differently in terms of how I approached it and how serious I was about it.

In the first period, I had almost no money, and I knew almost nothing about the hobby.  The internet, as we know it today, didn’t exist and resources for model makers was very limited.  My paint references came from a paused image on a standard definition 13” TV or a page from a book, and I had a very limited selection of models, tools, and paints.  No one else I knew was into model making, so I had no one to give me guidance, and to be honest, I probably wouldn’t have listened if I did.

That first stint could be characterized as a quick start and and even quicker ending, with me getting frustrated at gluing my fingers together, or smearing paint all over the tiny 1/700 scale planes that I melted onto the deck of the carrier I was making with a tube of Testors plastic cement.  Picture me throwing my hands up in frustration as I tore decals when I didn’t allow them to soften for long enough or because I was too rough when handling them.

I wish I could say that my second “renaissance” in my 40’s was smoother, but it wasn’t. The big difference is that I melted much more expensive models together, but I had the money to get more if I wanted!

I made a ton of rookie mistakes both times, and I truly wish that I could go back and tell younger (and older) me a few helpful tips to make my transition into the hobby a little less frustrating.

But then I thought – surely I can’t be the only one who wishes that they could go back and give themselves some useful tips – so I reached out through some forums I frequent and wow, what a response! So I present to you : “Tips I wish I had known when I started”.

1- Learn patience!

This seemed to be the predominant theme that most people posted.

Whether it was about allowing paints to fully cure before proceeding to the next step, or allowing glue to cure before handling a model, patience was the one thing lacking by all new model makers.    

One of the most best pieces of advice I saw was so simple –

“Let paint dry for a day before glueing. Let glue dry a day before painting.”

2- SLOW DOWN!

This was the second most frequent theme and is directly linked to patience.  Slow down and read the instructions first before you start cutting parts.  Dry fit parts a couple of times before you slather glue down. Slow down and make sure your masks are stuck down or are in the proper place before you throw down paint.

This is very sage advice and even in my 40’s I have found myself very carefully prying parts apart before glue sets because I didn’t take the 30 seconds to dry fit or read the next step, or repainting an entire model because I didn’t take the 10 seconds to make sure the tape was sealed down and my colors bled!

3 – Less is more!

This has so many applications to the new model maker!  For example:

Painting (airbrush or brush) – fewer light coats to build up color than one heavy, uneven coat.

Glue – start with small section with a bit of glue vs covering the entire model in glue and rushing to get it stuck down.

Weathering – most airplanes and tanks (unless in the field for long periods of time) are not as dirty as we imagine them.  Pull back just a bit and get some realism.

Decals – you don’t need to apply every decal just because it’s on the sheet.

I could go on, but those were some of the best of the group.

4 – Don’t buy every tool you see

I am the most guilty of this!  Do you know how many scriber’s I have? 3!  You know how many I have used? 1! For all of 30 seconds, thrown down in frustration after I failed to properly place a guide to help me (did I already mention patience and to slow down?!?)

5 – Buy quality tools (but see #4)

The old saying, “buy cheap, buy twice” is very appropriate here.  I have purchased 3 sets of nippers since I started the hobby. The first was a super cheap pair from the Dollar Store. The second was a set from Amazon, and the third was a set of Tamiya ones. If I add up what I paid for all 3 sets I could have bought a set of Godhand, or bought that 4th scriber!

I also realize that starting model makers can’t afford a pair of $30 nippers right off, but that’s when you make the decision – so I buy 2 models, or these nippers and 1 model? Protip- get the good nippers – they will last you for many models if you treat them properly.  Which leads me directly into my next tip!

6 – Take care of your stuff!!!

I can’t believe that people buy so many expensive things and then get them covered in paint and glue and then have the gall to complain that their tool broke or is isn’t working right.

“Wait a second – tools are meant to be used! And I don’t have time to clean them each time I use them!”

I totally agree – tools are meant to be used, but if you pay $300 for an airbrush because you want “the best”, take the 5 minutes to strip it down after a spray session to make sure it lasts forever.

7 – Try to challenge yourself each model

Whether that is to try a different technique or paint, or to try and improve one thing on your next build, never stop learning or improving.

My last build was a significant step up for me in terms of quality.  I took the extra time to fill every seam properly and after I applied primer and found errors, I went back and fixed them.

Sure – it took me an extra 2 weeks to complete that model – but the end product was so much better than any of my previous models and I didn’t have one moment where I rushed through a step and messed up something so badly I had to redo it.

My next build will be Warhammer 40k mini’s. I have never done a mini, or played 40k, but I am going to have a ball researching colors for the minis and painting (and probably stripping them and repainting them)!

8 – Get a mentor

This could be someone else you know who is into the hobby, or in my case, I follow YouTube channels. I don’t just stick to one genre though. My current favorite channel is all about mini painting. I haven’t painted a single mini (but I have some now to try!) but I love his attitude towards the hobby and his techniques can be ported directly to my builds, just in slightly different ways.

If you are lucky enough to have an in person club, join that. Chances are they cater to military models – but even if that is not your genre, you will learn a lot and you will have that sense of camaraderie.

9 – Know when to walk away!

I don’t mean from the hobby, but sometimes you need to take a break.  Dropped that small piece for the 3rd time? Take a break or work on something else.

Mess up your paint job or your masking? Take a deep breath and walk away and come back when you are focused.

This hobby can be so frustrating. I remember messing up a very intricate paint job that took me hours to mask.  I was so frustrated I threw a $100 model into the bin and stormed away cursing and swearing.  Eventually I took it out of the bin, stripped it down and restarted and got it to work.  The model wasn’t as perfect as I had hoped, but it wasn’t bin worthy for sure.

10 – Lastly, build for yourself and have fun!

When I got back into the hobby, I found that I had a knack for building Sci Fi models and that I could sell them and make money.  I quickly found myself stuck, building models for other people, and not having any fun.

It almost caused me to quit once again for good, but after a small hiatus, I came back and am having more fun than ever!

I now build what I want, for me and I don’t care if others don’t like my selection because I like it.

This is a hobby! It should be fun and it should relieve stress, not add to it. If you find yourself not having fun, you need to take a hard look and make the decision of this is for you.