r.m.s FAQ - part 1 of 14 (9230)
Don_S...@transarc.com
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Part 1
This message contains a table of contents for the rec.models.scale
frequently asked questions (FAQ) list. The actual FAQ is posted
to the newsgroup in subsequent multiple sections (to avoid overwhelming
mailers that don't like really long messages). See section 1 for
a more detailed introduction to this FAQ.
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part 2
Culture and Etiquette
This section is intended to give some background as to what
rec.models.scale is about and explain some of the mechanics
of newsgroups - it is aimed at the novice internet user.
[Q] What is an FAQ? Why does rec.models.scale need one?
[Q] Is the FAQ copy-righted?
[Q] How do I submit material to the FAQ?
[Q] How is the ship builders FAQ associated with this one?
[Q] What subjects are reasonable for rec.models.scale?
[Q] Why is it I see the response to a question before I see the
[Q] question itself?
[Q] Why do my messages take so long to appear or disappear so quickly?
[Q] What do all of the strange acronyms I see in posts mean?
[Q] Why do some posts have strange punctuation marks in them.
[Q] Can I advertise things for sale here in r.m.s?
[Q] Why don't we split r.m.s up into sub-groups to make it easier to read?
[Q] Wouldn't it be neat to post digitized pictures of my models to r.m.s?
[Q] What is "spamming"? What can we do about it?
[Q] What is a web site? Are there any web sites devoted to modeling?
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part 3
General Questions About Modeling
This section covers some of the frequently asked questions about the
general workings of the hobby/business of scale modeling. The questions
and answers here don't cover techniques - they are background information
for newcomers to the hobby.
[Q] Why doesn't someone make a kit of <my favorite subject> ?
[Q] Why are Japanese model kits "better" than US made kits?
[Q] What are "aftermarket" or "cottage industry" suppliers?
[Q] What is a "resin kit" ? Why are they so expensive?
[Q] Where can I buy models cheaply?
[Q] Where can I find a model of <my favorite car>?
[Q] Who are kit collectors/dealers?
[Q] Why aren't the swastika/beer company/tobacco company decals in
[Q] my new plane/tank/racing car kit?
[Q] Why are there so many different scales? Where did they all come from?
[Q] But what about ship scales? Where did they all come from?
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part 4
General how-to questions
This sections covers frequently asked questions regarding construction
techniques that can be answered in a few paragraphs. Questions with
longer answers have their own FAQ section. Most of these questions
are fairly general, although some very specific questions are asked so
frequently I've included them here too.
[Q] How do I remove "chrome" from plated parts?
[Q] How can I get a chrome finish onto a part?
[Q] How do I remove paint from a model?
[Q] How do I make my own dry transfers?
[Q] Why do my decals have ugly silvery borders?
[Q] What are the basic techniques of painting models?
[Q] I understand pastels can be used to achieve subtle colour variations
[Q] especially for weathering, what kind of pastel should I use?
[Q] How do I apply pastels
[Q] There are so many fillers today, and I hear about so many other things
[Q] and techniques people use for filler. What should I use?
[Q] What glue should I use to glue plastic together?
[Q] How do I used liquid cement?
[Q] Which cement should I use?
[Q] With the proliferation of vinyl figures by companies such as Horizon,
[Q] and small vinyl figures, what should I use to glue the parts?
[Q] Of what kind of plastic are soft drink bottles made?
[Q] Are their solvent type cements that can be used to join PETE plastic
[Q] like there are for styrene?
[Q] What can I use then to join PETE? Epoxy and tube model cement just
[Q] lift right off.
[Q] What do I use to glue together dissimilar materials?
[Q] What do I use to glue together to metal parts?
[Q] What should I use to glue wood to wood?
[Q] What should I use to glue wood to styrene?
[Q] It seems that the super glue that I am using glues my fingers together
[Q] better than the parts, why?
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part 5
More General how-to questions
This section is an extension of part 4, it covers frequently asked
questions regarding construction techniques that can be answered in a
few paragraphs. Questions with longer answers have their own FAQ
section.
[Q] My superglue never seems to set the same. Some times it is slow,
[Q] sometimes very fast, why?
[Q] Should I use an accelerator to speed up the setting time of CA?
[Q] What are some basic safety notes about using CA?
[Q] Any other opinons on glue?
[Q] What do I use to glue on clear parts?
[Q] What are the basics of masking?
[Q] What are the basic techniques for applying decals?
[Q] I would like to tint the windows of the model I am building, how can
[Q] this be done?
[Q] The F-117 that I am building has gold tinted windows. How can such a
[Q] metallic tint be produced?
[Q] How do I attach canopies to my model?
[Q] My model aircraft is tail heavy, what do I use for ballast to keep
[Q] the nose down, and where should I put it?
[Q] What tools do I need for modeling?
[Q] How do you transfer paint from the bottle when mixing, thinning, etc?
[Q] What are the basic techniques of painting?
[Q] I have heard of giving models a wash to bring out surface
[Q] details. How do you go about this?
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part 6
How to make your own photo-etched parts.
[Q] How do I make my own photoetch parts?
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part 7
How to obtain a really high gloss finish.
[Q] How do I get a really high gloss finish on my model cars?
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part 8
* How to get a realistic "bare metal" finish.
[Q] How do I get a polished metal finish on my fighter plane/sports car?
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part 9
This section contains assorted lists of information. Much of this
information was taken from previous versions of the FAQ, and so
may be dated - I welcome updates.
* A list of frequently asked questions that should be answered
in the FAQ, but that I don't have an answer to (hint hint).
* A list of addresses of mail order companies and aftermarket suppliers.
* A list of modeling clubs and special interest groups.
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part rms.faq.10
This section contains more lists - it was broken up to keep
mailers with 30Kb message limits happy.
* A list of magazines, newsletters, etc.
* A list of museums that provide sources of research [sure would be
nice to see some listings of car museums here - don]
* A list of major injection molded kit manufacturers and their
distributers [pretty sparse - how about some of you with the
1000+ kit collections typing in some of the addresses of the
box tops?]
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part rms.faq.11
* Various comments on individual link tank tracks (long).
[Q] What should I know about individual link tank tracs?
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part rms.faq.12
* What are the basics of building resin models?
[Q] Which glues work best for resin parts?
[Q] Which fillers work best for resin parts?
[Q] Which paints should be used for primer?
[Q] How should Silver/Aluminum finishes be applied?
[Q] What makes a good/bad resin model kit?
[Q] Are there any recommended books or periodicals with methods?
[Q] Any more basic techniques I should know about?
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part rms.faq.13
* How to make custom decals
(Thanks to Roberto Lionello <lio...@arcetri.astro.it> for
compliling this)
[Q] Could you give me some general information about making decals with
[Q] Can I make custom decals with a graphics program and laser/inkjet printer?
[Q] Where can I get clear decal sheets?
[Q] When I print my decal ink balls up on large areas! How can I avoid this?
[Q] Water smears ink on my home made decals! How can I avoid this?
Rec.models.scale FAQ, part rms.faq.14
* Painting tips for assorted (real and fictional) space craft
[Q] What paints/colors should I use on my (Star Trek) Enterprise ?
[Q] Who makes the best Saturn V kit?
[Q] What is the "correct" paint scheme for the Saturn V?
[Q] Are there any sources for parts to "accuratize" the
[Q] common Saturn V kits?