Model Preparations, habits or rituals?

[Pantherman]

I'd say that's the biggest part for me. Airbrushes get a complete tear down, supplies are checked and replenishments ordered, dust is wiped down in preparation for the new build. I usually take a few days between builds to just reset the space and get my head into the new project.

I like it. Pantherman

 

[locomotive]

My ritual is AFTER a build.

Try to remove the paint splashes from the dining table before the missus sees them...!

 

[RocketRanger]

Not intending to start a tangent discussion here about washing sprues before assembly but...
I always wash my sprues before starting work on a kit. I think this habit started back in the '70s when a few Scale Modeler magazine articles mentioned doing it and I've been washing ever since. This habit was reinforced when one of our club members recently visited the Eduard factory in Czechia and gave a presentation of what he saw on his personal tour. And you know what? One of his photos was of a 20-something young lady using a spray can of mold release lubricant to coat the inside of the mold between shots. So I continue to wash my sprues by soaking them for a few hours in Dawn dishsoap and rinsing in a small-ish plastic storage container of tap water. I add warm water to the rectangular container holding the sprues using the corner to form a spout and pour it through a kitchen strainer to catch any parts that may have come off the sprues - especially small or clear parts. This is repeated until the water doesn't foam indicating that the sprues are rinsed.

The other part of my starting ritual is to place a new white leak-proof paper on my bench as a new clean work space. Many years ago, I was shopping at Costco and noticed that they sold grease-proof sandwich wrapping paper for restaurants to wrap their sandwiches in. I thought that might be useful to put on top of my bench to form a new clean workspace for each new kit. This works great for aiding in seeing parts clearly and making small parts visible so they are easier to find and don't get lost. These "deli sandwich wrap" sheets are getting harder to find as they seem to be replaced by foil sheets, but you can check your local restaurant supply companies or online for them. Amazon offers a pack of 100 for $6.98. Highly recommended!

https://www.amazon.com/Unbleached-Parchment-Resistant-Wrappering-Neyimqr/dp/B0CXJ4VZ5X/ref=sr_1_14?crid=1BCRACSHYQ2CA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qOBjZVQQaO4fQ58fbSQFRBW-E6Ln7PcseqIDB9_KdpCLI2kz9St89W_IAt3DgW60rR0rOwVafsBWw1vbZqj1JnPJh6qyPk9R6J-KeA51disuexdWDVAfNFunoe-mYoswhZGtnZLQHLEYKedIuUwoLMTPYl7tVhzIXgPlJFoe4pijY9fMHW2E9DHJnnvqoONUUjNLvU8jDWlcMZ2B96VI99btGByUJPgya6RJ0aYRjjI2yruDgTJQxBFYm9dRTukDWENEt_D8x3g5D8u1ngMF5r0mfH0yKlPW_02al5xTLZ4.2SC-JiVWRTZkpyDxC8T-w3YDV4qNVqomI6tDDbkWfTg&dib_tag=se&keywords=deli+sandwich+wax+paper&qid=1771439451&s=home-garden&sprefix=deli+sandwitch+was+pape,garden,176&sr=1-14&th=1

 

[WtShark]

"I thought that might be useful to put on top of my bench to form a new clean workspace for each new kit. This works great for aiding in seeing parts clearly and making small parts visible so they are easier to find and don't get lost."

It's funny you bring this up, I've always had a silicone mat to work on, I work on my office desk, so I prefer to use something that protects it and up until recently, I would usually put a paper towel down, but I was gifted a new package surplus diaper pads, with the suggestion of using them on the bench, as we have no need for baby changing supplies, LOL.

Being white, waterproof and large enough to cover my silicone pad, I've been using them to work on, it protects my silicone pad and being white makes seeing parts a lot easier, (well, provided they're not white). It makes clean up so much easier, shavings, sanding dust, paint etc. all get folded into the pad and tossed. If it's not a messy day, I can simply fold up the pad, and reuse it the next day. I have quite a few and considered purchasing a new pack once these were gone, as they are pretty cheap, but your idea of the sandwich wraps is also a great idea- Thanks!
The pads are 50 for 9.99 on Amazon if interested in a larger mat, or if the sandwich liners become too hard to find.

https://www.amazon.com/Absorbency-Disposable-Underpads-Leakproof-Changing/dp/B0CPPM2C2H/ref=sr_1_5?crid=230WMC6XPYL1I&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fhQCAJHazOXwn-onf_rd0xIC-BER7N5niBZCiLiqJjcOxIw2Txip5pXJ116q4SCbavXSyfO3nU3j9_UzkS2nlqbLIL2apgaqo5QCEhu0Q-G673OAd-Wpbcy_VEuk943Fm_HnqLB_Xr5rEyljf7qZCOP-aOT6f_f_CcYnoybSfa598BVSJ8i50GqgV9IkIBvi32dIGv2lc2fk7GAQcJ9gUOaoGBFIVWwaHXPUJq4AHfXRI7a8eg1vhQdS0Vi3ApWkXx1ii-bBAkbeUFR_QV3U8nmKK1-IgIGz2b-GsHiJYEM.pC--CkvXDEyoBWAKjWF3XuN5J-su_qdiAYKz0slYDRo&dib_tag=se&keywords=bed+liners&qid=1771508328&s=home-garden&sprefix=bed+liners,garden,179&sr=1-5

 

[urumomo]

Parchment paper would probably work for you two , also .
... and most likely far cheaper ,, in rolls and pre-cut sheets of all sizes in natural and white

 

[49thStateRT]

I was washing sprues based on old school advice in FSM books, stopped after reading it isn't necessary, but started again because I like to. I always open the box when I get it, usually I already looked for aftermarket stuff online. I take blue tape and make a quick label on each sprue with the letter on both sides in big sharpie letters. I hand them from nails on my workbench upper cabinets, A-Z. I put all the special and clear parts out of the way. I read the instructions and use highlighters of four colors to mark special instructions, where random decals or photo etch is called for, which option I am doing, and paint callouts. If the kits says or shows which parts are not used, I may cut those off and make a pile of them off to the side (just in case I need them).
It works for me and my OCD.

 

[49thStateRT]

I use a 4 x 2 sheet of black melamine covered pressboard from Lowe's, nailed to my workbench with roofing nails at the corner. This gets thrashed after maybe four to six models and replaced. They are pretty cheap. And the melamine doesn't get eaten into by solvent cement or rubbing alcohol.

 

[Ron2]

I was washing sprues based on old school advice in FSM books, stopped after reading it isn't necessary, but started again because I like to. I always open the box when I get it, usually I already looked for aftermarket stuff online. I take blue tape and make a quick label on each sprue with the letter on both sides in big sharpie letters. I hand them from nails on my workbench upper cabinets, A-Z. I put all the special and clear parts out of the way. I read the instructions and use highlighters of four colors to mark special instructions, where random decals or photo etch is called for, which option I am doing, and paint callouts. If the kits says or shows which parts are not used, I may cut those off and make a pile of them off to the side (just in case I need them).
It works for me and my OCD.

Sound organized! I like the idea of labeling the sprues and using the highlighter - but that involves reading the directions BEFORE assembling!

 

[BarleyBop]

labeling the sprues

...clearly visible BIG labels!

 

[Ron2]

...clearly visible BIG labels!

Yes, none of that 1/72 font!

 

[Littlemarten]

Sound organized! I like the idea of labeling the sprues and using the highlighter - but that involves reading the directions BEFORE assembling!

You read instructions?!?! (Just kidding!) I not only read them, I annotate.