Advice Needed On Painting Brass Structure

I have just received the 1884 B&O Railroad, Oakland, MD Depot photo etched brass kit. http://www.micronart.com/2091_Oakland_Depot.html

I plan on building it using a resistance soldering unit and paint using an airbrush.

Should I complete the structure and then wash, etch, prime, bake and then mask and paint?

Or - should I complete and paint the building before painting and adding the roof and turret?

Or - is it best to paint parts before construction?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Tom

 

Hello Tom,
I did the first station they came out by painting them first and assembling with epoxy and
S G. Came out great, next time I'll solder it up, (main structure) then paint, then paint the subassemblies, then paint again.
R

 

Just got back from visiting my daughter in Chicago.

Thanks for the responses - I now have a plan.

 

These are the steps I give to people who have purchased my etched brass kits:

**** If using CA glues, do not bake paint ****

1) Build Model First
2) Spray/Brush model with lacquer thinner to remove all dirt, oils and contaminents.
3) Air dry with hair dryer
4) Dip cleaned model in vinegar to "etch"
5) Rinse with water
6) Air dry with hair dryer
7) Paint within 6 hours of etch