How to Make a Model Airplane Look Good

Planning, assembling and decorating model airplanes is a fun and rewarding hobby. If you live by the old motto, "If you do something, take the time to do it right," then you want to avoid throwing together a model airplane. Try to make the finished product look good by following some simple rules.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Buy quality materials with which to decorate your model airplane. You definitely get what you pay for. If you purchase cheap paint, stickers and glue, then the finished product probably won't materialize as you envisioned it. Other important quality materials to buy are fast-drying hobby cement, a sharp hobby knife and a mat to place under the airplane so glue, cement, stain and paint do not seep through to the surface underneath.
2. Decide if you want your model airplane to look factory new or as if it flew for many years (an antique). Each approach can lead to a beautifully finished airplane, but be careful to pick a style and stick with it. You don't want old-looking wings on a new-looking body.
3. Take your time. Common sense dictates that if you rush through building a model airplane, the results may not be of a high standard. Carefully sand rough edges and bumps on wooden models, and avoid purchasing kits that have imperfections. Use tape to create precise lines when painting pinstripes, or purchase pinstripe stickers. Use small brushes for greater precision.
4. Allow adequate drying time between assembly and decoration for the airplane to look good. If you attempt to handle a model airplane before the hobby cement or glue dries, the pieces could shift and become misaligned.