by mark9976 » Fri Oct 23, 2026 5:40 am
Hi all,
I've been modeling for a while now and wanted to take on a large ship, so I've chosen the USS Arizona (BB-39) in 1/72 scale. I've been designing it in 3D and the model is now at the point where I'm ready to start printing the hull and setting up for the build.
Since this is my first project with serious finish work, I'd appreciate some advice from those of you who have done big builds:
1. Seams: What's your process for closing the seams between printed hull sections (filler, sanding, primer) so they disappear under paint?
2. Paint order: Do you paint sub-assemblies as you go, or assemble most of the ship first and paint at the end?
3. Paint and tools: Do you airbrush? If so, which paints do you prefer (acrylic vs. lacquer, brands) and what primer works well over resin/PLA prints?
Any tips on things you wish you'd known before your first big ship would be welcome too.
Here's a render of where the model stands:
Thanks in advance,
Mark
Hi all,
I've been modeling for a while now and wanted to take on a large ship, so I've chosen the USS Arizona (BB-39) in 1/72 scale. I've been designing it in 3D and the model is now at the point where I'm ready to start printing the hull and setting up for the build.
Since this is my first project with serious finish work, I'd appreciate some advice from those of you who have done big builds:
1. Seams: What's your process for closing the seams between printed hull sections (filler, sanding, primer) so they disappear under paint?
2. Paint order: Do you paint sub-assemblies as you go, or assemble most of the ship first and paint at the end?
3. Paint and tools: Do you airbrush? If so, which paints do you prefer (acrylic vs. lacquer, brands) and what primer works well over resin/PLA prints?
Any tips on things you wish you'd known before your first big ship would be welcome too.
Here's a render of where the model stands:
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/hPy6bX6D/Arizona-80-done.png[/img]
Thanks in advance,
Mark