FineScale Modeler: How to sand your plastic scale model kit with sanding sticks and sanding pads

It's inevitable: You're building a plastic model and you'll have a rough area from the where a part connected to the parts tree or maybe two parts don't match evenly. In this FineScale Modeler Scale Model Basics video, learn how to use sanding sticks and sanding pads to remove and even out unwanted blemishes on your plastic model kits. Knowing how to properly sand will improve your enjoyment assembling scale models, and, ultimately, the end result.

Want to learn how to remove plastic model parts from the parts tree? Click the link below:

If you need sanding sticks or sanding pads, click the links below:

[animalyze]

Flex-I-File actually makes a sanding kit specifically for round edges, comes with the aluminum frame and sanding tapes. Makes filler/sanding jobs a breeze on Wings, fuselages and other rounded surfaces. It's a bit of an up front expenditure but the refills are cheap enough and they last a good while.

[guidor.]

Sprue attachment points are best initially carefully removed with a medium sharp blade and then sanded to reduce damage to the surface.

[cobusprinsloo]

For larger surfaces, should one change the direction of sanding for each consecutive grit type, or does it remain consistent?

[RDPproject]

Aaron....ya bugga! Im so conflicted right now...both an Eagle...and the I dont know which to like *Hmm* I think the Eagle wins out due to the scale. Great sanding sticks and sanding pads....12, 000grit...wow! Rob

[StevenPaulDesign]

Sanding tools are my kryptonite, for some reason every time I leave the hobby shop I have new sanding equipment of different types. There's no such thing as too many sanding tools.

[louwvandermerwe]

What make and where can I get those sanding sticks?

[deeazz]

The fuselage in the oven part, how does that work? What temp and for how long? Thanks.

[Antidragon-nlby]

Is that an Eduard Fokker D.VII in the top left corner? Good taste!

[handlechar]

1500 grit is coarse? I thought that was fine. I thought coarse was around 600 or lower. Are there different scales used or something?

[travisroe]

I ended up using a sanding sponge that confroms to the surface much better than a stick could. Espeacilly with curved wings and such

[markboyles]

Thanks. Now, replacing panel lines after sanding out steps because I end up with a step every time I put two halves of ANYTHING together. Wings, fuselage halves, bombs, drop tanks, you name it, I'll step it. I've thrown more models than I've built because of steps.

[warrenchinn]

Does anyone use wet and dry carborundum anymore? I do, and the finish is like glass- especially on puttied joins etc. Yea its messy (water runs etc) but there's no dust either! :)

[JckCrw]

How to sand a plastic scale model kit: use diamond files or dremel only. If you want to destroy it use a sanding pad.