What's your favorite & least favorite steps when building a new kit?

[radioactivity]

It's been a long time since building a new kit but...

Favorites
Building the trans, drive train
Tweaking the suspension

Least favorites
Finding parts that don't fit correctly... e.g. tight hinge pins, screw holes that need to be tapped etc.
Deciding on the paint scheme
Getting it dirty after the build

Chuck

[juicedcoupe]

Bringing this back up.

I hate gluing tires. Like really bad hate it.

This is probably why most of my cars aren't runners.

[1911Colt]

Favorite- Anticipating the arrival is probably the best part. I like all of the building, even the portions people complain about often: shocks, turnbuckles, etc. I don't even mind Schumacher circlips, o-ring wing mounts, crashback setup, drive shafts.....

Least favorite- Masking. Painting isn't so bad; it is the masking I hate. I am terrible at it, and I never know if it worked well until it is too late. On the rare (extremely rare) occasion that I produce a good result, then pulling the film away as was stated earlier is a great moment.
Honorable mention- Tire gluing. I always get glue on my fingers and I always ruin the appearance of at least one tire in the set.

[juicedcoupe]

Honorable mention- Tire gluing. I always get glue on my fingers and I always ruin the appearance of at least one tire in the set.

I just finished gluing a set.

To limit the chances of screwing up, I have acetone, debonder, Goof Off super glue formula (weak acetone), Ronsonol lighter fluid, and 90% isopropyl alcohol.

While I can get decent results, I still hate doing it..

(PS, don't use acetone on Tamiya wheels).

[V12]

Favorites
adding the first parts to the chassis
watching the progress of the build

Least favorites
preparing graphite parts
solving production issues at that luxury kit
making body holes
masking and painting bodies

Well since a couple of years I actually think the current build will be the last build. Because I absolutely hate preparing graphite chassis and parts.
But after a build is before the next build ...
In a couple of weeks or maybe months a new project will arive ... with lots of graphite parts. And no instructions.

[SFC K]

Favorite: Opening the box open for the first time is like being a kid in a candy store!

Least favorite: Definitely painting and prepping the body. Lexan can be intimidating cutting out the body especially in those tight corners where the big scissors were not meant to be. I spend a lot of time on this step. Another aspect is the climate I live in where it’s cold 6 months out of the year.I Try to hold all my painting projects until it warms up. Hate to wait that long, but nothing worse than spending a ridiculous time prepping, only to ruin it when it is cold out.

[Diamond Dave]

I agree Jeff, it has come to the point where I will set something up inside to paint.

The fumes and such are not great indoors but I really don't care anymore.

Winter is the worst!!