- 1). Remove the parts and the plastic trees, or "sprues," to which they are attached from the plastic bags they came in. Inventory the parts according to the instructions to determine if any are missing, and inspect the parts for any flaws such as pin-holes or warping. Do not free the parts from the sprues. Wash the sprues with a solution of water and dish detergent, then rinse them by submerging them in water and let them dry on some paper towels before continuing. This will allow the glue and paint to stick far better.
- 2). Using the colors indicated by the instructions and/or the side of the box, paint the smaller parts like fittings, deck-gun components and anchors as well as parts that will be difficult to reach once the model has been assembled (the surface of a deck that will be below the surface of the top of the conning tower, for instance).
- 3). Begin to put together the sub-assemblies which will make up the model. For submarine kits, these are usually things like the conning tower, hull and (depending on what type of submarine) deck gun. Remove plastic parts from the sprues by carefully cutting them free with the hobby knife. Remove any excess plastic, or "flashing," with the hobby knife and use sandpaper to smooth out any mold lines or other imperfections. Small components that were painted in the first step should have any bare spots touched up when removed from the sprues.
- 4). Very lightly sand the surfaces of the completed sub-assemblies and paint them in the pattern indicated by the instructions. Allow the paint to fully dry before continuing.
- 5). Perform the final assembly in the manner indicated in the instructions, making sure to use glue sparingly.
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