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that the parts are not upside down or mirrored. In most instances it will make no
difference, but in others it may be crucial to ensure a perfect product in the end.
PAINTING YOUR PRODUCT
We would strongly advise you to finish the product with paint or wood stain to make
them as appealing as possible. The parts should be primed (2 coats) and painted
before final assembly. Spray paint can also be used to get a very smooth finish. Oil
or water-based paint can be used and specialised paints like chalk paint can be used
to give unique finishes.
Generally, it is highly advisable to paint/spray before gluing. You may not be able to
get to the inside of the structure after it is glued together. Covering all the parts that
must not be painted or sprayed with the same colour can be a tedious process. Pre-
painting will avoid this process.
Please ensure that no paint clog a sleeve where a lug must fit in later. The
tolerances are often so tight that too thick a layer of paint may cause problems. It is
our experiences that a small foam roller instead of a brush, will produce a better
finish and far less clogging of sleeves.
Applying a base or undercoat normally makes life easier afterwards. Two coats of
primer are advisable because the MDF absorbs a lot of paint. Using a single colour
for the undercoat of all parts works quite well from personal experience. You can
choose the paint of your preference, whether it is oil or water based. Cleaning
brushes and rollers are just so much easier if you use a water base paint. A chalk
paste can give a unique finish to walls and give a weathered look if so desired. If you
prefer to protect the paint work of your structure you can always apply a clear spray
coat.
LET'S GET STARTED WITH THE ASSEMBLY
You can start by gluing the nubs at the bottom of the four walls (A), (B) and (C 1-2)
into the slots of the floor (D). Remember that the engraving must face outwards. All
that is needed for a proper sturdy assembly is some glue where any two parts touch
each other. The lugs that fit into the slots stop any movement, but the glue holds all
the parts together. The walls must therefore have glue at the bottom and the sides
where the walls touch each other (only a little bit of glue is required). Gently press
down on the walls to ensure a snug fit. Ensure that all the walls are plumb and
square before the glue fully sets. Allow the glue to set before you proceed.
Proceed to glue the slot of the shoe (H) to the nub at the top of the front wall (A).
Next the serving counter (G) can be glued to the top of the shoe. The roof (E) fits
over the front wall and can be glued to the side walls. The roof has a corrugated iron
engraving that must face upwards. Lastly there are two pieces (F 1-2) that must be
glued to the flag above the roof to give a chequered effect.
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