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Apologies for the noobie question but what is the best way to go about undercoating/priming?
It would seem that the easiest/fastest method would be to just spray the sprues and then assemble the models but will this cause problems in the assembly and gluing process, not to mention removal of any mould lines?

Or should it be done when the models are fully assembled? Only problem here is that I may not want to fully assemble a model so that I have better acess to detailed areas for painting.

What do you recommend? Assemble parts/sections, prime them, paint them and then assemble?

Do whatever suits the model, either full or partial assembly. For Space Marines I always leave the shoulder pads off, most foot figures I fully build before spraying though. Some larger kits I make in several sections to fit together at the end.

As said, very much model specific, I tend to remove all the mould lines then spray before assembly for normal foot troops.

Not sure if this is goin to help, but I always sprayed mine while on the spure (yes i left mold lines on >.> only because I didnt plan on gaming with them) but for my Tau army I will try a different approach. Ill half build the model e.g just legs and torso onto the base, prime the parts, paint the parts then assemble.

Trick I may use: If ur want to fully spray them in pieces try add some blue tack (poster putty) to the bits that will have glue on them so that the plastic remains bare and would glue together just like an unprimed model

EDIT: But yea its pretty much model dependant, better to assemble vehicles and such before priming I think. However you could dry assemble them and see what bits are actually exposed and just prime/paint those areas. Just an idea mind you.

My general rule this: if it could have come right off the sprue assembled, then prime it assembled. If the assembled model would have been impossible to cast in a 2 part mold, then it will have hard enough to reach areas that will need to be painted separately from the rest.

A great example of this is a heavy bolter marine. The marine and backpack can be assembled and primed together, but the gun and arms would block too much of the chest to make for a decent paint job, so they are left off and painted before being glued on.

On the other hand, an empire swordsmen has next to nothing hidden by its arms, and therefore can be assembled completely before being painted(minus the shield).

I tend to do either full or partial assembly on the models before undercoating. It's pretty much personal preference though - I've found that full assemblies don't affect the outcome of a 'standard' mini all too much. Some would say if you can't see an area then you can't see if it's painted or not - unless the part covering it falls off of course! However by default I'd say partial assembly is the way to go - only greater care has to be taken when gluing, esp. with Suprglue as it can leave white drying marks on painted areas if not applied carefully.

Vehicels I fully assemble before priming, troops I assemble the Legs, Torse and head, then prime, paint and finish assembling.

In most cases, I leave weapons and heads off to paint separately. This makes it a lot easier to clean, pose, base, and prime.

90% of the time you are better off painting a fully assembled models. For rank and file, the only things I might leave off are shields. For characters and centerpiece models you will have to play it by ear.