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So, I have been looking at multiple model painting videos, and everone paints they're models with different amounts of stuff on it. Some people paint the model with it fully built, gun on the marine and all. Some people paint it without the gun but everything else put together. Some paint it with the arms off. Some with it still completely disassembled etc. What do ya'll think is best?

well i pretty much always paint when fully assembled, unless i am going to do a display model or importand character. but playing nids means that i have never really had this problem before. i guess when i do my GK that it will become the bane of my life

It's gonna depend on the model and if you can get to all the detail areas if it's assembled

whatever works.

If it makes areas that you can see hard to get too with a brush I dont stick it on.

Otherwise I paint fully assembled. In bits you make each one look very nice but they don't IMO cohere together aswell as It would assembled

For everyday run-of-the-mill squad based characters:

1. Fully assemble
2. Attach blank base
3. Undercoat
4. Paint
5. Add texture to base
6. Paint Base
7. Matte Varnish

For HQ, large creatures, Independent Characters, etc.

1. Partly assemble
2. Drill hole in foot and stick paper clip in it
3. Undercoat all parts
4. Paint all parts
5. Assemble model
6. Have a coke
7. Add texture to base
8. Paint Base
9. Glue base to model (sometimes pin)
10. Matte Varnish

I glue as I go.
It there's a chance I'll be drybrushing on bits that overlap, they get left apart. It's just easier to have lots of bits that are all one colour, than to work on not painting parts I've already finished.

On the other hand, repainting glue-splats is a pain, and only gets on the bits I spent the most time on :(
And, if you're filling in gaps that don't join properly when you've glued it, then assemble, fill then paint.

So, I've got lots to redo, but I do prefer easy over nicer.

I occasionally paint things in parts, but 99% of the time I'm painting fully glued together minis. I used to paint my Ork army half on the sprue and half assembled, but that army was a learning experience anyway.