Advanced modelers seem to have special recipes to build stunning starship models.
Not every of their tricks is easy to reproduce, and it is also the lack of time or patience that often prevents an average modeler from building a perfect model. Still, there are some useful hints I have compiled for the majority of average modelers like me. Use a knife or scissors to remove the parts from the trees, don't try to tear them off without a tool. Remove excess plastic edges with a sharp knife or a file. If you intend to paint the model anyway, you should use very fine emery paper to smoothen it.