Forgive me for I have sinned

[BandOGuy]

In that I'm way late to the party, I have the following ridiculous question, but please bear with me. (TiA)
First step in kit assembly is, after the obligatory photos, apply a coat of AI to the walls, both sides.
How do I prevent warping? Kit is tab and slot construction. Interior brace prior to A&I even though there's no interior bracing in the kit instructions?
All suggestions appreciated after you're through snickering/guffawing at my ignorance.

[rpdylan]

my method is that I use my wire brush to put some grain, then Hunterline stains to both sides of the walls, then I put the walls under this 12 x 12 heavy marble tile that I bought at Home Depot for a couple of bucks. I usually do this the day before I start my build so the stain has really dried out. I like doing the wall prep (nail holes, ect) flat on the bench without any bracing on.
    As an aside, I long time ago I stopped putting the corner bracing on the flat walls, I wait until I get the walls together and then put the corner bracing on. I picked this method up at one of the structure shows years ago....

[jerryrbeach]

Chip,

My first step is to brace the walls.  I have seen some modelers have success by staining both sides of the walls and allowing them to dry.  If I add nail holes I slip a few extra pieces of bracing loosely under the walls so they are supported when I add the nail holes.

Here's a link to a video that might help.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0Od4e8Uz9A  The guys at HO Customs have recently started an entire series on building a craftsman kit step by step.

You could also check out any of Reading Bob's or Tom's builds.  Both do an excellent job of documenting each step in the construction process. 

[ACL1504]

Chip,

I also apply A&I to both sides to prevent warping. Often, I brace and then add the A&I and if I do brace first, I only add A&I to the side I plan on painting. I've also used weights but found that the bracing straightens the walls if warped.

This is just what works for me.

Tom

[Opa George]

I tend to add wood grain, distressing and nail holes first, followed by bracing. To minimize warping, I will usually spray paint the reverse of each wall with flat black primer and allow it to dry completely before adding A & I to the front.  Placing the stained walls on a flat surface underneath even weight (large books work for me) is one of my "best practices," even though I sometimes neglect that step.

Sometimes you get warping no matter how much advance prep and care you put in, but as Tom mentions, additional bracing can come to the rescue.
--George