Are you a total POS modeller ??? 😵

[@richardgill-g2l]

I do what suits me...whatever is simpler...in fact l pretty much do what pleases me through the whole process. In further fact *shock / horror* l don't always follow the instructions for painting and decals ...I do what makes me happy :) Cheers Peter !

[@arrrgee]

I will paint some parts on the sprue occassionally, it depends on the model, mostly I build sub assemblies but some times small parts are easier to paint on the sprue and then touch up after taking off the sprue.

[@jexxajess6837]

Like others, I do what I want to do. Sometimes the pieces are so small, it makes more sense to paint whilst still attached. As you say Peter, a lot of the time any residue once removed from the sprue can be hidden..

[@HellfireModels]

The things that people get bent out of shape over in this hobby never cease to amaze me

[@j.4332]

I find that the "modern modeller" is often a little anal.Any modeller from my generation who was a boy in the 60s,your objective was to have it built and painted within 4 hours of purchase.Only at Christmas if you got something like the 1/24 Spitfire did you take special care.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Shameful bad practice! 😵 Tut-Tut How shocking...😞 (I am kidding, of course! 🤣)

[@davidhinkson8856]

I started this hobby in earnest around 1979/80 and I concur! Buy it, bring it home, and build it immediately!

[@blainefrenette3520]

I think the vast majority of model builders buy, build , paint and display for their own enjoyment. Not for someone else to see. How they create their model is there own decision. There is no right or wrong in how you build your model there is no right or wrong in how you paint your model. We don’t need or want model police to tell us how we do our hobby.

[@j.4332]

@@blainefrenette3520 Agreed.

[@kjaesp]

And older modellers aren't dogmatic? come on now. try mentioning how glossing with a floor wax before decals is not required if you paint your model correctly and see how many people will jump on that.

[@chrismayne1775]

My kit, my rules! I have several hobbies where people think we should do things a certain way. My view is THEY can do it their way and I will do my kit my way.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Well said. 👍🏻

[@martinmountford3281]

If I didn't paint some parts on the sprue I wouldn't be able to make models as I'm disabled and only have very limited use in my right arm.I refuse to be dictated to how I do my models as I do it for me and no one else matters

[@Adam_Boots]

I build mainly in 1/72 scale and tend to paint cockpit parts on the sprue with a brush. I do this as it is easy to touch up any missing paint once removed from the sprue. It also means that when I glue the parts together any areas that would be difficult to paint when assembled have already been taken care of. With larger kits you have more access to difficult areas making it easier to paint off the sprue and assembled.

[@neiloreilly7666]

Has your age rises , so does your scale. I’m at 1/4 scale at the mo! Another few years I’ll be looking for an empty factory, so I can continue my hobby in 1/1 scale.

[@WAYNEMODELBUILDER]

To be honest I would never paint on the spru, I also don't see the point as most of the times the parts still require clean up and paint touch up. BUT THAT SAID, I have no issue with those that do, I think modelling on you tube has got too serious. Everyone should just do it the way they want to and enjoy the hobby as that's what it should be... enjoyable. Good video 👍

[@Takao1078]

It's 100% incomprehensible....

[@Flamboyant-randomist]

*sprue.

[@WAYNEMODELBUILDER]

@@Flamboyant-randomist typo on this phone but mate get a life 🤣FFS how sad, but hey your welcome to tell me face to face

[@corvanha1]

Makes perfect sense. Both ways.

[@kennethjames9416]

Its my model and I paint it anyway I like. On the sprue or off the sprue. Its my choice.

[@michaelnaven213]

Absolutely!

[@fifteenbyfive]

I remember page one of the instructions on Testor's models would say "Most small parts can be painted on the sprue." One issue I can see would be if I'm mixing custom colors (which is almost always on WW2 aircraft) and I don't save a supply of that custom color (I've never done that before) I can't paint many things on the sprue for that reason. It also doesn't save time because I'm touching up everything with a brush. It also may cause overspray on nearby parts on the sprue if I'm airbrushing on the sprue. I'd have to not care enough to touch it up, and I care more than that, so for all these reasons I never paint on the sprues. My current build I opened the box and cut every part off the sprues straight away. I can get away with that on a 1:48 Tamiya kit because it's obvious what every single part is, and of course this would be a terrible idea if I was building a ship or any complicated build.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

@@fifteenbyfive You make an excellent point there. 👍🏻

[@Slycockney]

I mostly make 1/72 aircraft and paint on the sprue all the time. Especially smaller parts like pitot tubes as it makes them easier to handle and reduces the risk of them pinging off into the distance never to be seen again.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Good point! 🫣

[@Histilisk]

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of small modelling dramas that seem to crop up! I think its as broad as its long, unless you’ve mastered the art of psychic levitation, you’ll need to touch up the parts you’ve cut off anyway… I do cut them off the sprue because I commonly work with less than stellar kits that need a lot of touching up, so I see that as the path of least resistance. If you had a good kit with decent gate positions, I’m not sure what advantage cutting it off would give you. Great video as usual :)

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

👍🏻

[@Emdee5632]

I DENY I've ever experienced dramas of any sort during my long modelling career😆

[@1965GJS13]

Will the sprue-connection-point be seen on the final model after construction? If not, then why not PotS?

[@RichardMorris-f4o]

I’m like you Pete! Sometimes you can’t paint something proper once it’s assembled. If a part has multiple gates, I’ll clean it down to one gate so it only has one contact point of spruce left. This not only keeps touch up’s to a minimal but also leaves you with a handle for the real intricacies. No tweezers required or risk of having part falling off tweezers. Let dry and touch up lone contact point. Also a great time to scrape off paint from glue contact area’s (prior to cutting of last contact point). Don’t know of any way to achieve better results. Long as your kit comes out beautiful and properly assembled and glued. Will come out better if you use POS techniques and challenge any body that doesn’t. Carry on Mr. Oxley. You build a really nice model which speaks volumes for yourself. Let’s not question the build(unless someone else did it for you)but the finished product. Love you my brother of the spue and keep up the good work and videos. Lots of kits on the shelf and so little time for them. No time to question my methods(which I’m constantly modifying myself) but only the finished results. Rick from Florida.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

@@RichardMorris-f4o Thanks Rick! ☺️ Cheers Buddy 👍🏻

[@BrianSanders-tn7pi]

Hi Peter. I am a small scale armour man nowadays ( 76th-72nd ) and I tend to spray all the sprue in the desired primer colour from a rattle can. Then I part build into sub assemblies and paint with acrylics. Then when I have more or less completely built the kit I either mask it and spray it in its base colour or finish the wholle thing by hand. I also cut up parts of the sprue and glue them to the inside of parts to be sprayed. We all have our preferred way of doing things and when you have been making models for as long as we have you tend to stick to the way that works for you. I don,t really think about it really. I just go through the process that makes the build easier. Each to their own. Don,t lose to much sleep over it though. How did you like Telford ? What did you think ? I,ve watched some of the vids and I thought that there were some lovely models. It would be nice to have seen what some of the traders had to offer , especially the second hand kit traders. Would allow me to drool a bit. A good fun video mate. Cheers fella.

[@markIburgess]

Hell yes. Been doing it today. I try to remove some of the gates though so less touch up is required and these are smaller parts. My theory is you still have to hold it if it's been removed and may need to touch up where it's been held. Keep it quiet, If it's a kit with a small number of frames, I've been known to prime all the parts before removing any. That should put the cat(s) among the pigeons.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Disgraceful. 😞 ...One day you will have to answer for all this. (🤭🤣)

[@Lee0568]

I leave the part on the sprue when I paint it,BUT,BUT,I cut the part off the sprue where the part number is,so I know what the part is, especially when the part is handed,and it's easier to hold the part in the crocodile clips when you clean it up paint it and detail paint it

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Good idea. 👍🏻

[@johnorlitta]

When I started out in the hobby, I remember there were modeling hints at the beginning of the assembly instructions (Monogram maybe?) suggesting the painting of the part on the sprue. I always thought that it was the way to go.

[@davidhinkson8856]

I think Airfix had something similar in its instructions as well, saying small parts are best painted before assembly.

[@TerryGlover-c2m]

It depends what's being painted. On sprue, on grips, on model, etc.

[@chrisdoney8578]

I primer on the sprue but generally paint in place or using tweezers. From now on though I'm going to try painting on the sprue a lot more. EDIT: Starmer crime! Laughed at that one! Spot on Peter 😂

[@mikewoodman7700]

I do both - small parts by brush on sprue & airbrush for the big bits! I really don't care what other people think it's what's easier for me. If I've learnt anything from this video, what a great idea labelling the sprue with sticky tape - Brilliant!

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Cheers Mike! I only started doing this recently, & Ths kit has so many sprues it made sense.👍🏻

[@glennjarvis7286]

I clip off the part with its number attached, I can clean most of it and usually the attached bit is out of sight. Then it goes on a clip stick for painting

[@markward4867]

Painting on the sprue? Thats two years in chokey at the very least!😂 I myself have never POS but with my builds taking forever to complete I may consider adopting the technique just to speed up the process. Met you on Saturday at Telford. Thanks for the pleasant chat.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Thanks Mark, geat to meet you.😊

[@davidorr6627]

My main issue with painting on the sprue is that so many parts need al lot of cleanup before painting, removing seam lines, filling ejector pin marks etc. Perhaps this is not so much of a problem on modern kits, but most of what I have built in the last couple of years have been old kits that are 20-50 years old and need a lot of tidying up, even the Tamiya and Hasegawa kits. I've been building a lot of 50 year old Airfix and Revell kits that need an awful lot of work on them before painting, and doing that while the parts are on the sprue would be tricky, although it could be done. But I think a lot of parts would be knocked off the sprue while working on other parts. Again, probably not the case with new kits.

[@Blowinshiddup]

I have lost it and thrown models at the wall, and then gone, "F**K!!!!"... it's a project I'm working on for someone! I have since learned not to do it as much, because these kits are getting harder to replace.

[@cappyjack3070]

Depending on the project. I paint armor hulls and assembled turrets off sprue. Road wheels and small parts on sprue.

[@Zweispeer]

I remember a printed modelling guide from Revell Germany from the 80s that specifically recommended painting small parts on the sprue. Whether to paint on or off the sprue really depends on the model, though! For motorcycles, in particular, it’s often better to remove parts from the sprue first. I attach them to toothpicks with a bit of adhesive, then group and number them for airbrushing. This approach gives you more control over detail work and ensures you can reach every angle for a cleaner finish and not having to touch up some spots.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

@@Zweispeer A very professional approach...But for me DANGEROUS to lose the tiny parts! 😱

[@stuartquinn8408]

To me it doesn't matter a damn if you POS or not, the hobby should be FUN. Silly rules about not POS will only act as a deterrent to youngsters joining. Like Peter, I will POS where I consider it appropriate and sprue marks can be touched up afterwards. It may be because I am old school and still use enamels and brushes. Keep up the good work, Peter.

[@crackerbarrel6965]

I don’t like painting on the sprue for several reasons. The first being you get a much better bond of plastic to plastic than plastic to paint. I was kinda God smacked when I got back into the hobby after 40 years where it seemed the bast majority of builds were assembled before the paint process. Back in the day it was (at least mine) tendency to paint all the parts beforehand with that Testors lacquer based paints in the little bottles and if you were really fancy paint bomb the model with a rattle can of spray paint! Parts sometimes would slide because the gooey tube of cement didn’t like the paint. But I digress… The second any cut after the part is painted may lead to you having to go back in at the cut sprue gate residual material on the part itself and smooth the part and then go back in again and repaint where the material has been removed as it will be void of paint. Particularly true if you end up sanding the part after sprue removal. I try to plan ahead and see what parts going together require the same paint and do that as sub-assemblies but regardless, I never airbrush or hand paint on the sprue. DISCLAIMER: I have nothing “against” those who do. I think that’s stupid. It’s personal preference! You wanna stand on your head and paint parts three feet away with a yardstick…go for it! We build because we enjoy it - not to confirm to everyone else. Please chime in if I’m missing something though. I don’t want to come off sounding arrogant as I’ve only been back into the hobby for 3 years now.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Forgive me, for I have deeply SINNED! 😰

[@crackerbarrel6965]

@@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-LabOh no, no! Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against others doing it, just explaining why I don’t personally. I’m going to have to go back and retouch the area I cut off the sprue anyways so for me it’s double the work, not to mention any sanding that needs to be done to the part after sprue removal.

[@leonarddecant8566]

It depends on part size, sprue attachment location and detail. Small parts with the tab in an innocuous location or detail painting is easier on the spruce. Interior painting is also good on sprue. I also mass paint OFF of sprue.

[@KaptingK]

Personal preference is NOT a shameful crime!!! 😂😂😂😂

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

😨 For you: THE GULAG! 🤨

[@generalgrevous2458]

Do I paint on the sprue? Damn rights I do! Hell, I even add old sprues and glue them on new ones.

[@davidsalvini7495]

I would think that a lot depends on the fit of the assembled pieces and therefore how much filling and sanding might subsequently be required. If not a lot, then I believe that this is a good technique to use.

[@memkiii]

No serious modeller gives a toss what other people think about how he enjoys his hobby. I've been ignoring the opinions of others since I started making models in approximately 1969, with bottles of Airfix paint, tube of tasty plastic cement/glue, and Airfix bagged kits from Woolies. That said, I'll fight any man who tells me I can't paint things on the sprue! It's a matter of honour.

[@stephenrose1343]

I certainly paint on the sprue for parts that are difficult to hold in a clamp or require double sided tape and a support, especially where the sprue gates are on a mating surface. For instance, a WW1 rudder, where you have to paint both sides of a flat object and the gates are on the mating surface. I often cut the part out,retaining a length of sprue for handling. Great provocative post Peter.

[@jeffreyross-zb8cz]

Another Great Show Limey, Love The Channel Here In "Detroit" 😂

[@durkpederson9797]

Being a bit of a mould seam remover, mould shift corrector, I generally don't paint on the sprue. Would there be an occasional advantage to do paint on the sprue, I could/would do it. And on POS in general, let everyone build as it pleases themselves and enjoy modelling without silly comments on do's/don'ts.

[@dariosmodelbuilds]

I rarely POS but, if all the sprue-part contact points will all be concealed when building the model, then I have taken advantage of that fact and then sometimes do POS.

[@travis_thompson]

If the sprue attachments aren't in going to be seen I'll cut the runner either side and paint the part holding the runner. It's not a common thing and is mostly on internal parts or prop blades.

[@Jason_L10]

I will paint on the sprue especially smaller parts where you wont see the sprue gate or it can be touched up after fitting.

[@brucek3217]

I usually cut the sprue tree up, separating parts in groups or singularly based on what color they need to be painted. I only keep the sprue attachments that I need to support the part - one or two usually if I am lucky. Then I paint the cut sprues all the same needed color as a group (using a clamp to hold in my hand - that's attached to the sprue ). How do people paint parts that are off the sprue? It's not like they float in the air without something touching them (just like the sprue would ! ). I don't think there is a right or wrong way - do whichever way works best for your own enjoyment. 👍

[@gimp6019]

I think it depends on the subject and the kit breakdown. Some things need to be painted, like interiors, and it is much easier to paint on the sprue.

[@SMAZVidoes]

Sometimes painting on the Sprue is very efficient and I do it all the time. You have demonstrated this quite clearly in this video.

[@Flamboyant-randomist]

I'm a pos & proud! Some people just need to stop gatekeeping. I occaionally do militaria, scifi but mostly I love these Japanese robots/mechs called Gundams & it's such a relaxing acitvity.

[@stephenlovelock5563]

Hi peter i do modelling the way I want to,I have been modelling since the last days of the 1950’s/early 1960’s and hopefully my skills have improved and I don’t see why some people have a problem with the way i paint my parts weather on or off the sprue i find working on the sprues so much easier than of the sprue and i don’t think that will change .

[@makoajohnson2341]

My favorite is in Facebook groups when someone posts something with invasion stripes. The amount of arguments I've seen about invasion stripes is crazy

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Yes! Another serious subject that causes WW3! 😂

[@alastairmonk6439]

@@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab Interesting related note. I recently re-watched Band of Brothers, and shortly before the paratroops were to be boarding their Dakotas it was clear that the invasion stripes on the real C-47 being used were decidedly ragged! Good authenticity! That said, most modellers would use masking tape if for the sole reason that there would be the inevitable comments that the "authentic" (ragged) stripes hadn't been painted well! In a "no-win" choice you might as well do what you want!

[@DarrellThompson47]

I don’t paint on the sprue as I prefer things cleaned up fully before I paint them, and I also like to assemble as much as possible before applying paint. A few times I have kept a small bit of a runner attached to hold the bit for painting, if that gate is attached where it won't be seen once assembled. Of course, there are no rules in model building, so like you say whatever works for you.

[@simonrichards6739]

Certain parts need doing on the sprue, imagine trying to paint a pilot in the cockpit! 😂

[@davidjones1588]

I try and find and assemble all sub assemblies if I can then prime and paint after that never on the sprue as it will require touch up if it's painted on the spru

[@johnkelly2098]

Oh dear! Just when I'd reconciled myself to being a savage for drinking my tea milk-in-first I now have to worry about something else of equal (or more) gravitas. No wonder I've got grey hair.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

I am a milk-first too! 😂

[@davidpowell6098]

Milk in first, you devil, you.

[@BillyWiggins-g9z]

I don't hate on folks that pos what ever makes it easier for you. I said it a lot, it's your model you can do it how you want. HAPPY SCALING from BENCH LIFE in Florida. 👋

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

👍🏻

[@iannicholls7476]

I do a bit of everything- whatever is appropriate. But like you Peter, I hate cleaning the airbrush so anything that can streamline the painting process is to be welcomed.

[@ricmadden5445]

Great subject. I am torn between the two options. At the end of the day the simple answer should be, which is the most efficient way of painting the part in question. Both from a quality & ease perspective. I am not into speed paintig so I am not factoring that into my reasoning.

[@MartinSparks-ef9gr]

I clean seams on the sprue but cut off , clean up , add any details and then paint or build sub assemblies if pos . Do what works for you. M

[@bollomator]

Depending on model I primed spruce plenty of times... what's the problem?

[@way2sh0rt07grad]

Painting breakable parts is easier on the sprue. Saves glue and stress. Especially hoses with clamps. At the end of the day, it's not like a house where the process matters as much as the final product.

[@stephenkell7314]

Yes I am guilty of said crime as half the time it makes some parts so much easier to paint and especially for the last minute parts to go on rather than snapping the parts off or trying to mask them in place

[@richardstout6364]

Depends on the part, what it attaches to and how easy it would be to hold with a paint clip or on a taped lollipop stick. Stuff I do paint on the spru, I will cut off all but one attachment point and hopefully the one that’s left is on a glue surface or somewhere where a minor touch up isn’t seen. Also it depends how ravenous your carpet monster is!!!!!

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Mine is very hungry, and lots of things for the part to vanish under...🫣

[@richardstout6364]

@ mine has the audacity to wait till I’ve scratch built a replacement before regurgitating it before my very eyes ……….

[@ronaldbyrne3320]

REAL modellers don’t use an airbrush either, Peter. They use a thimble and a drinking straw! 😜🤪 Hahaha, I do whatever works for me in a given situation. There is no right or wrong way, only one’s own way. 😊

[@markwalthew3374]

Yes I paint parts on the sprue. Especially small ones because I find it easier on the sprue than to figure out a way to hold them. Also I am less likely to lose them if they stay on the sprue.

[@mrd4335]

I believe it's what ever works for you, in some case it's adventurous....... I often do it with very small parts as it holds them in place really well. I do alot of 1:144 and the parts are to small for clips and if l blue tak to a cocktail stick I'm limited it how much l can paint. Also parts can fall of during paint if very small. Sometimes l cut a part out and leave a section of sprue to attached to hold while painting. The proof is in the pudding and it's the end result that should be judged not the process. Great channel.... always enjoy.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

@@mrd4335 Thanks! ☺️ And agree 100% 👍🏻

[@martinoconnor4314]

I absolutely never paint anything on the sprue but that's just how I do it, it doesn't concern me how others do it. If I'm painting something then i'm painting it all in one go and not faffing around trying to touch stuff up. Then again, I only build 1/35 armour and figures, no cockpits or anything fancy going off on my bench.

[@williamault2490]

It depends on the build, how many parts are the same colour, do I really need to get out the airbrush for the tiny bits, how will the parts be attached to the kit? I enjoy hand painting detail parts. For me it’s cathartic. At the end of the day it’s your kit. Build it for you and don’t mind about the amateur rivet counters. More often than not the ones crying loudest are the ones who are armchair managers. The sports at model railway clubs, for instance, who nitpick the other fellows work to death but never bring their own creations to be given the same judgement. And then you find out they have stacks of books of references but no railway modeling going on at all. Thank you as always Peter for another wonderful video. Cheers from across the pond mate!!

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Thanks Buddy! ☺️

[@TD-ni9vk]

My dad taught me to paint on the sprues when I was a kid. For years I've done it while assembling structure kits for my model railroads. It just makes sense in some cases. For example if you're doing a building with 50 windows and you don't want to hand paint them all after they're installed. Haven't really used the technique since I recently got back to building armor and planes but I'm sure I'll be incorporating it into my builds where it makes sense. Also doing some Gundams and I think there's potential there for the use of this "controversial" practice. 😊

[@glencwilson]

Yes and no for me. For some parts it is safer to remove any unneeded sprue supports leaving where it be fixed to another part. Often with priming I will just do the whole sprue - just saves time.

[@jamesbartley1424]

Thank you for tackling this topic, i used to feel slightly guilty or not proud of painting on the sprue, but thats what i found to get the best results and easy for me , now after reading the comments i dont care its my model its my hobby its my time ,do it how you like enjoy your hobby.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

@@jamesbartley1424 Well said. 👍🏻

[@neiloreilly7666]

I never paint on the sprue, even though some manufacturers advise it in the instructions. any parts that require painting the same colour I stick the parts on a length of masking tape to stop the airbrush blowing them away then off I go , turning them over when dry.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Great tip! But I would no doubt lose parts if I tried that.

[@neiloreilly7666]

@@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab I’ve blasted many parts into oblivion.

[@Emdee5632]

Do I POS? If it suits me. Very small parts that are difficult to handle with clips and are not in the same colour as the rest of the place where it is glued, are best painted while still attached. A basic primer coat - yes most of the time on the sprue. But when you dry fit pre-painted parts or subassemblies you are always going to discover you painted too much of a certain area where glue is applied. So it gets messy because you then have to scrape away the excess paint. Or you find you didn't pre-paint enough of a part, and it still needs paint. And almost always you still need to paint or need putty etc. where parts are glued together. So POS has both positive and negative sides. It saves me time and effort here or there, but it costs me in other areas. Btw who claims you have to follow the instructions right from page one, drawing one?

[@dunnp12]

Yes. Small parts and primer for scribing panel lines.

[@AubreyStJohn3000]

Thanks Peter. Both on and off have their own pros and cons I guess.Personally I would paint on the sprue if it made life easier but for the most part I don't. I think that's more habit than anything else. It would come down to how much clean up and surface preparation is required I suppose. I might even give it a go just because Ive not thought about it much before. Cheers

[@bradwolfgang1037]

I have never painted on the sprue, even when I was a youngster, and hand painting all my parts, and to be honest, I’ve never really ever thought of ever painting on the sprue. In my mind you’d have to clean up all the sprue-gate spots anyway, so it seems to me to be more work and “interrupted” paint scraped off, with sanding or scraping marks at all the gates. It seems illogical to me. Anyway to each his own if you like to great, as far I am concerned I’ll stick to my “mini-alligator-clips”. Good luck however you paint and have fun. 😊

[@mstt937]

Painting models is best left to the individual modeller. I personally paint armoured fighting vehicles at the end of construction, unless they have an interior which will have to be painted part by part during the construction phase. It is much easier to paint individual parts before gluing them to the model, especially when making the interior for a tank or personnel carrier. If construction happens before painting it is impossible to paint an interior due to physically being able to use a brush in the hard to reach places (simply impossible to get accurate finish with an airbrush). When constructing an aircraft model in 1/48 or 1/32 I find better results are achieved by painting parts on the sprue before gluing them in position. Find me a modeller who can paint an aircraft cockpit after the fuselage has enclosed it. It’s not workable. To enhance a cockpit I often use the Eduard pre-painted instruments panels as I believe they actually enhance a model even when they are difficult to view. Would that be classed as cheating? This use of pre-painted photo etched parts is a subject Peter could have a discussion about in the future. All modellers have the prerogative to paint the way they feel comfortable and happy with. If this methodology of painting works; then it is best kept to, especially when the final results speak for themselves. Thanks for the video presentation Peter. I believe this subject could be discussed again in a year or two.

[@davidhinkson8856]

Depending on the model, i paint some of the smaller parts on the sprue, because these days it takes me months, sometimes close to a year, to complete some builds. To each his own, and when a model is finished and on display, who's going to know the difference?

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Oh you sound like me these days...😂

[@Scarebus_Driver]

To me its all about efficiency and making life easy...pre painting etc, painting on the sprue whatever is easiest..

[@stephenbutler3333]

I paint, airbrush and rattlecan on the sprue, ive even part assembled on the sprue if its particularly fiddly!

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

@@stephenbutler3333 @Stephen The thought-Police will want to put you away for a LONG time! 🤣

[@stephenbutler3333]

@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab they put me away a long time ago Peter ! Keep up the good work 👍

[@NickAndrewsFaulkner]

I'm sure back in the 70s POS was recommended, returning to the hobby after 40 years quite a few things had changed! Funny, as I'm sure the idea is simply building and painting a kit to whatever standard you want. It's not life and death.....

[@memkiii]

If it was recommender or otherwise, most of us didn't care, since there was no such thing as an internet keyboard warrior to point out how we should (in their opinion) be doing things. And most of the time the thing we made just got set fire to and thrown out of a window..

[@NickAndrewsFaulkner]

@@memkiii You are so right!

[@edfleming74]

Surely what matters most is the result? If your chosen techniques result in visible seam lines or flash, then that is indeed a sin. If nobody can tell how you did it in the end it really should not matter. Do I? Yes, especially if the part needs minimal cleanup!

[@AlanToon-fy4hg]

Well, I never paint on the sprue, and airbrush everything I can. I once knew someone who built several Tamiya auto kits who did not paint the bodies! He got them to fit together as well as possible, then sanded and polished them out. Looked great...

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

@@AlanToon-fy4hg Hi Alan…AHEM! I did that on my Tamiya 1990 Ferrari F1! 😁

[@glenchapman3899]

I build mostly ships - So in that case building into the sub assemblies, then painting tends to be my path of least resistance

[@Lv-sl3rm]

For sprue painting, yes for some small parts like control sticks and maybe control panels. Otherwise no, just prefer to take off, clean up, and then paint. Figured that with small parts their fragile enough, small enough, and in hidden enough areas that the ease of painting outweighs the "proper" way of doing it. After all if people won't see it why worry about it?

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Agree 100% there! 😊

[@dcanmore]

I had an old Airfix annual/magazine from the 1970s that showed a model being painted on the sprue. Anyway I've done both on sprue and off sprue, no biggie, whatever you enjoy.

[@mikehanson7328]

Hi Peter, as a figure Modeller my subjects don't usually have sprues. I do however paint sub assemblies mea culpa, mea maxima culpa!

[@viking1236]

Non modeller, so would you paint on spru or in situ depending on the circumstances or just on habit, for me it would be on the circumstances not habit?

[@baanibarnes9711]

As with all thing modeller - 'each to their own'. I personally will paint tiddley little bits on the sprue, makes sense to me. Larger stuff usually belongs to a sub-assembly anyway. What you have to consider is that when you cut off said part, you then have to hold it somehow to paint it, why not leave it on said sprue? Well, the mark made when you cut the part off for one, no great shakes, clean it up and paint over the offending cut-off area - simples! One issue I would say causes issues is with the mold line around the part which will need cleaning up before painting and it will often come off the sprue if you are cleaning it whilst attached, again, no worries, you'll just have to blu-tac or crocodile clip it to hold it for painting. Useful for the neophyte modeller though, cheers!

[@TheSargeNZ]

I always spray aircraft interiors on the sprue. It just makes sense!

[@vereferreus5262]

To be honest, I never painted on the sprue, but not for ethical reasons. Until now I always painted with ordinary brushes. Now I got me some spray guns. In similar one could say the same about using a big brush for large surfaces. What I found unpractical about painting on the sprue, is that the part where the connection with the sprue is, the paint might not equal (bit I know, thats an idea in my head...). And you have to paint the same part again. Bit ethical or so? No. Everyone should build as he gets the best result. I think that counts, nothing else.

[@charles6232]

Really? I never realised this was a “major modelling issue “! Well, not often unless the situation requires to do so. Generally I remove the parts first and using blue tack I will mount the parts for painting. Also use clips etc.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

I am always terrifyed of losing small parts to the 'carpet monster' especially with big kits with hundreds of small parts...I tend to cut these off the sprue at the last possible moment before cementing to avoid them flying off somewhere! 👍🏻

[@hermanhandbrush4402]

I frequently paint on the sprue. I don't see why not. I also paint exclusively with a hand brush. I think there's a bit of a stigma with that, but I don't care.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

It's funny how these stigmas seem to become established...😮

[@paulmoore6345]

I don’t have any fast or hard rules, but quite often I do paint on the sprue on the small parts, so I don’t have to hold them and risk dropping them!

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Good strategy! 👍🏻

[@paulmoore6345]

@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab it's due to the parts I have lost on the way!

[@Tiger2-n3f]

Having dexterity problems, I do what is easier for me. The crime is not making models at all. Both have their advantages. What ever works best for the individual. Long live modelling. It is the end result that counts.

[@garyvictory3513]

Bottom line Peter and same for all of us. It’s your model and what works for you. Personally… I’m guilty…. Depending on the part.. I probably have done it on all my builds. I have no problem doing it. I’ve seen in the How to Build Tamiya books with Brett Green / Marcus Nichols have painted on the sprue. I remember Phil Flory’s RANT very well, he ended up binning the kit because of it and the guy who brought it up also got a lot of backlash…. End of the day have we got better things to gripe about in this world..!!!

[@BradleyHatchen-vv3fd]

I do the same thing paint it paint it on the spruce I read of cutting it off the mold it will act like another arm to hold parts to paint

[@NOSHER]

I hand paint and usually paint small parts on the spru..

[@leeford6398]

Hi Peter, I've been back in to the hobby 10 months and I believe that you should do whatever better for you, painting multiple parts on sprue is def smart time saving, im into armour and soft skins so until my painting skills improv😢e I paint tools on sprue knowing that I will have to touch them up and im happy with that, it works for me know, im part of a super friendly space online and having experienced rivet counting elsewhere I think there are questions to be asked of people with such a narrow opinion of others, we all have to start somewhere dont we Peter? Thanks for your great content, loved my 1st telford but could only do sat, 7 hrs driving and 6 hours at the show was a long but mindblowing day 👌👍

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

@@leeford6398 Thanks Lee! Happy modelling! 😄

[@Mors_Inimicis]

I do paint on the sprue ,not religiously but as the situation/kit demands . I agree with the mass production painting technique (catching a load of parts while a certain colour is loaded in the gun) I’m just relieved the videos subject matter didn’t match my expectations after me applying the US meaning to ‘POS’ to the videos title 😅

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Ooops! 🤣

[@BradleyHatchen-vv3fd]

Yes you can paint a few parts like seat or engine parts the small part like instrument parts

[@benmanning4340]

I used to paint on the sprue when I was younger because I found it easier. However, now I prefer to build and then mask and paint! Nice one Peter 👋

[@Jonathan_55018]

i have done both its what you feel happy with

[@rubbishmodeller]

When I saw the title, I was trying to guess what POS meant - piece of shi...?! And I thought yup, that's me! Glad I watched it to find the real meaning...

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

@@rubbishmodeller Gotcha! 🤣