Washing full sprues of parts

[Deleted]

OK, guys. I'm still fiddling with painting techniques that will work for me. One of the things I think I'm going to have to do is spray primer on all parts, large and small. This will include spraying full sprues of small parts.

I'd like to wash them really well before I prime them. Does anybody have an easy way to do a good wash on them? I've been using a toothbrush, but that's kind of tedious and time-consuming. If that's the best way I'll continue doing it. Just trying to find out if anybody has a better way.

[68383]

Honestly, the only parts I wash when I take a kit out of the box are the body parts.

[Deleted]

Jul 4, 2019 18:28:29 GMT -5 68383 said:

Honestly, the only parts I wash when I take a kit out of the box are the body parts.

I know that some guys do, and some guys don't wash the smaller parts and pieces. If I decide to NOT wash the full sprues of smaller pieces, will I have any trouble getting a good bond with my primer? I've got 3 different types of Tamiya I'm using now.

[goofy62]

You have to understand that this hobby requires many operations that might be considered tedious, but if you are interested in producing a quality finished product, time should never be a consideration at all.

If you're just looking to get something done fast, don't bother.

Just save yourself a lot of headaches and collect diecasts.

With a hobby like model building, you should delight in the little things.

It's all part of the craft.

I never wash my parts on the tree.

In my opinion, every part will likely need some sort of attention that will require removing it from the sprue.

Usually, at a minimum, mold lines will need to be removed.

When I'm ready to prime and paint them, just a dip in soapy water, a light scrub with a tooth brush and a rinse will suffice.

Steve

[Deleted]

OK. So you tackle each piece, one at a time. I can see that. I was just thinking of getting the primer on all the small pieces at once. I never thought about possible mold lines on small parts. Very good point, Steve.

So I'll stick with my toothbrush, except on individual, separated parts. Thanks.

[goofy62]

You don't really need to worry much about the tooth brush for very small parts.

For these parts, I usually just give them a quick rinse to be certain that there is no dust on the surface.

For the most part, you should not have much for paint adhesion problems with the little stuff.


Steve

[Deleted]

OK. Gotcha. I'm finding that I'm much better off priming even the smallest of parts before I attempt brushing acrylic on. Not sure if other guys have to do this, but it seems I do. It's more than likely something I do when I try to apply the acrylic, but priming greatly reduces my problem. I can live with the extra step since I get a lot better finish that way. It has to be the way I load the brush, the quality of my brush, the brush stroke I use, or a combination of those that is giving me fits. I'm going to play around on a few more scrap parts to see if I can't finally get a little more proficient at brushing the small parts.

[BUCKY]

I take the parts off the sprue. There is always an attachment point on these parts, and I file them down to remove them before painting. Sometimes, I put the parts on double sided tape, and mount them on a board for spraying primer. It they need paint all around, when the first side is dry, I turn them over and prime them, again. The smallest of parts are usually brush painted in my hobby room.

[Deleted]

Double sided tape? Well, duh on me. I was trying to figure out how to prevent some of the really small pieces from blowing around when I aimed a rattle can at them. That's one thing I don't have right now. My wife goes shopping tomorrow so I'll add that to her list. Thanks!

[goofy62]

I use the tape method as well, but I just use a doubled over piece of regular masking tape stuck to an old paint jar or rattle can.

As a rule, I do that for larger parts that only need paint on one side, ie, wheel backs, etc.

If a part needs paint all around, I use a small alligator clip mounted on a wooden skewer.

This can be used to grab the part at the attachment pin or tab.

If there is no tab or pin, I make one by drilling a small hole at the attachment point and either inserting a tooth pick into the hole, or gluing in a small rod or piece of stretched sprue to be used as not only a holding point for painting, but an attachment pin for later assembly.

A piece of old styrofoam works nicely to keep the parts together for painting.

Steve

[tubbs]

Jul 4, 2019 23:40:59 GMT -5 BUCKY said:

I take the parts off the sprue. There is always an attachment point on these parts, and I file them down to remove them before painting. Sometimes, I put the parts on double sided tape, and mount them on a board for spraying primer. It they need paint all around, when the first side is dry, I turn them over and prime them, again. The smallest of parts are usually brush painted in my hobby room.

this is what I do also.. I have a bin full of alligator clips stuck to 4" nails. all types of clips too, not just alligator ones. I have used double sided tape, that gets expensive though. I usually buy it after Christmas when its on sale. I also use that stuff you hang posters with to stick parts to paint stirrers that you get from your favorite paint shop.

[BUCKY]

I use Steve and Al's methods, too. Think it out, and you may come up with even more ways to get the job done.

[tubbs]

I need to get more like Steve, its not so much patience, but when I am building (which seems like a distant dream right now, almost 3 months since I touched styrene) I buzz thru the process. a wise old builder once told me, "look at each part as an assembly, not just a piece of plastic."

[Deleted]

OK. I'm getting some great ideas from you guys. I'm also being reminded of info I'd already gotten from Steve (Sorry I'm thickheaded and forgetful, Steve)

I do have a couple of long blocks of Styrofoam that I'm going to cut in 6" lengths. I picked up both round & square toothpicks and some coffee stirrers. I don't have any alligator clips, but I might just resolve that shortage in a little while.

Who knows? Maybe I'll eventually get my painting problems solved. I do appreciate all the feedback guys.

[mrmike]

I usually wash just the body parts since they will take the greatest amoung of primer, paint and clearcoat. The smaller parts will get the once over with a hobby knife to remove any moldlines.