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When gluing complex pieces together, you may need to use a Panavise, or an extra hand magnifier with alligator clips to hold your work while you apply the cement.  You will also need to use the Panavise to hold certain components together to ensure tight, and proper bonding.

The most important factor at this stage of the game is patience.  Kit building requires lots of it, and in due time, you will have achieved a level of patience which will be on par with that of Zen masters, providing you don't give up. The rewards are there to be had, and once you gaze upon your finished model, all will come clear.

It is also during this process that you will develop a good working method, and that alone should save you time in the future.

One area in which you will need lots of patience is when sanding down mold lines.  We assume that you have already filed down the barbs and overhanging edges after removing your pieces from the tree, so this should be an easy task...  What's this? A gap???  Yes, not all models are created equal, and sometimes, no matter how well you fit your segments together, there will be gaps.

As mentioned before, fill all gaps with contour putty, cyanoacrylate gel, or any other kind of hardening, non-porous putty.  Once this dries, usually about 12 hours later, use your sanding film to buff it down until you are certain no lines, bumps, or gaps remain.  Take great care not to scratch chrome finished pieces, or clear plastic parts such as windshields.

Metal files and other tools that get encrusted with residue from the putty should be cleaned using solvent or acetone.

Once you have built your model and made sure everything is perfect down to the last physical detail, it's time for the fun part...

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