| So, you got a brand new plastic model kit ship with a | | | | surface smooth. If it is deep enough, fill it with putty or |
| gazillion pieces and you want this one to come out | | | | body filler, and then sand smooth once the filler is dry. |
| good enough to display on the mantle. Now where do | | | | Sink marks: most are depressions in the plastic flat |
| you start. | | | | surfaces like decking caused by plastic shrinking while |
| You'll be a lot happier if you deal with the | | | | it's cooling. They can be any shape or form. These |
| manufacturing imperfections before you begin your | | | | should be filled and carefully block-sanded before |
| creative work. When you open the box you will | | | | spraying primer. Flash Its the most common defect on |
| undoubtedly find the plastic parts large and small | | | | plastic parts (especially those produced on old tools), |
| molded onto trees and in plastic bags. | | | | but it is easily fixed. Just cut off the flash with sharp |
| 1. Inventory your kit with two objectives in mind; making | | | | hobby knife, and sand the rest with sandpaper, sanding |
| sure all parts are present and observing the overall | | | | stick, or needle files. |
| condition: note all the flaws the parts have - mold lines, | | | | Warpage: this occurs when hot plastic parts are |
| pin holes, sink and swirl marks, warpage, and flash. | | | | dropped into a box and deformed under their own |
| 2. Deal with any issues from the first step. If you need | | | | weight or weight of other parts. Basically, it's a part |
| parts, contact the manufacturer and expect a delay | | | | that has wrong shape or is twisted. If the warpage is |
| for delivery. Most manufacturers will help you deal with | | | | minimal, you can try to fix it with hot air from the hair |
| missing part issues. If you need to correct flaws, do it | | | | dryer. Warm the part by blowing hot air on it, and |
| now before doing any painting or removal from the | | | | carefully and slowly bend it into correct shape, then |
| trees. | | | | wait till plastic cools off. It should hold new shape. |
| Mold lines: these are very small raised lines on hull | | | | When the body is seriously warped, you can try the |
| pieces, running along sides of a mast or over raised | | | | following (and this is not recommended for children |
| portions. Some are more pronounced than others. The | | | | under 14 or should be supervised by adults) method: |
| more recent plastic kits have been improved and, you | | | | boil some water, take it off the fire, and let it sit for |
| will have hard time finding mold lines. They are easily | | | | few minutes. Then briefly dip warped part in the water, |
| removed with fine sandpaper or sanding sticks. | | | | and quickly remove it. Then bend it to shape, and hold |
| Pinholes: you will find these small round holes in the | | | | until plastic cools off. |
| plastic, caused by the pins that push the part from the | | | | Safety Note: Keep in mind that after you pull the part |
| mold. In newer kits these marks have been eliminated | | | | out of the (almost) boiling water, it will be extremely |
| or are in concealed spots. Try test fitting the parts to | | | | hot. Please wear gloves or other hand protection while |
| see if the pinhole(s) can be hidden. If so, sand the | | | | handling the part. |