The Ship Model Forum

Hi All

I need advice in how to attach the superstruture to the deck please, is it best to attach before painting and then mask and paint or as M Ashey fill the structure with resin and attach or use plastic strips inside the structure as a glueing base? I am about to fix the superstruture to the deck and do not know which route would be the best, would masking be a major job with all the odd shapes ect??

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all the way from sunny cardiff in wales

Personally, I build the superstructure as a seperate part and only attach it to the deck once everything is painted - I find this much easier than painting and masking. I then add any PE inclined ladders.

John

Thank you John

How do you then glue the structure to the deck without marking/spoiling the paint?

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all the way from sunny cardiff in wales

HI Bob
I usually assemble the superstructure to the decks before painting. My take on it is that I would rather do any filling and then paint than vice versa. I use an airbrush and spray the base colour then hand paint the decks and touch up any marks on deck fittings by brush. If you just use a brush, I might do the opposite, paint decks then superstructures and fittings finally touching up the deck by brush, but I'm not really sure if there is much difference. Others I know prefer to assemble and paint separately, my suggestion would be that if you do lots of dry fittings to ensure there is as little gap as possible between deck and superstructure and you are happy there will be no filling to be done, then that is also a good method.

SO... Depends on the kit, how much seam / gap there may be, and most of all, what works for you. You will only find out what works for you by trying!

Mike

Hi Mike

Many thanks for your advice, do you use superglue to attach the structures because it can be used as a gap filler or something else. I know i am being a pain but i am building my first kit for over 30 years and I am going at a very slow pace with lots of stops and brain drain moments!!!!

regards Bob

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all the way from sunny cardiff in wales

Firstly, I always make sure that the superstructure fits tightly to the deck. The I use little drops of superglue so none of it oozes out on the deck.

This pic (of my under construction Fletcher) gives you an idea - it gives a nice crisp delineation between the deck and the superstructure:



HTH

John

HI Bob
NO problem, ask away. Yes I think superglue or CA as it also called is the best. Just use a thin line as John says so you don't get too much coming out of the seam but also it will act as a filler as well. Just be aware that you only get a couple of seconds to position so make sure you do lots of test fits so you know exactly where you want the part to go.

Mike

John

Many thanks for attaching the photo, i can see what you mean, very impressive! I can only hope to produce similar results, must get either the pray mat out or practice like a loony!!

regards Bob

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all the way from sunny cardiff in wales