StevenGuthmiller

Okay guys. I was pretty sure that it was not a factory thing, but it's really not necessary for this build anyway. I'm assuming that this is what I was thinking of. I thought it might be nice to add a little extra flash to the engine. Steve

Nope, not yet. I haven't gotten to the glass on my current build yet. But it shouldn't be much longer. I had assumed that they were just a dry transfer that you cut around, peel off of the backing and apply to the inside of the glass. But there's every possibility that they could be a water slide decal. At least the pictures on the back of the package don't show anything about dipping in water first. I haven't even opened the package yet. Steve

Hey guys. Was I seeing things, or have I seen pictures somewhere of a coil on a Mopar engine that was tan colored with a yellow cap? I was getting ready to paint one that color, but now I can't find pictures of one anywhere. Or was it yellow with a tan cap? Help! Steve

I have not used the enamel, but the lacquer is fantastic! The only insight that I can give to you about the enamel is that a highly respected fellow modeler offered to "GIVE" me all of his Scale Finishes enamels at a show this past spring. He said he hated the stuff. His statement was, "it never dries". It was enough for me to stay away from it. But then again, I never use enamel for painting bodies any more anyway. Hopefully someone else here can give you a little better insight into the product, but this is all that I can offer. Steve

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the nice comments! I have decided that I'm going to change the coil. I never noticed until seeing the close up pictures, but something went haywire with the finish, so I think I'll just throw together a new one quick rather than monkey with trying to refinish this one. Steve

Thanks Keith. I would never be able to do that. I would just sit there and stare at it and wonder when I was going to finish it! Steve

A considerable amount of finicky "magnifier" work went into the intake on the 426, but it's finished! Moving on to wiring the rest of the engine next. Steve

This might be a good application for some Alclad paint. They offer several different shades of aluminum alone. I've seen some pretty amazing affects done with Alclad. Steve

I will agree with that. I suppose you could use the bottled metal paints and use a wash for a more weathered look. I use a lot of the different Alclad metal paints when I can spray parts. They have a more realistic metal appearance. Steve

Absolutely! Done that many times. That's why I love critique on "On the Bench" threads. Sometimes those items can be addressed on a current build before it's finished. Steve

I can concede that point. Steve

I agree 100%. Option one is a ridiculous and counterproductive statement! But occasionally, even option 2 causes some individuals to get their panties in a bunch. It's hard to gauge how a person will take criticism, but sometimes I feel like it is warranted for the benefit of the other members. As far as the member with the "sugar coating" statement goes, that's where the "tact" remark that I made comes into play. I can guarantee you that that member would undoubtedly be offended if he was on the receiving end of "option 2". The fight would undeniably be on! By the way, it was crazing that I was worried about rather than warping. Steve

The discussion has also gone in the direction of "criticism". That's where my comments apply. Rivet counting in my opinion is just a derogatory term for a style of building. Someone who values very high detail and accuracy. Nothing wrong with that, and nothing wrong with a more simplified, free form approach. It only becomes an issue when one camp begins to "criticize" the other for their style, which as far as I'm concerned, has no place on the board. There is no right or wrong in this aspect of the hobby. I haven't seen much as far as negative comments so far in this thread. Just a discussion with different views on various facets of the subject. As far as an answer to your original question goes, yes, I tone down the intensity on my projects all of the time. It doesn't need to be all one way or the other. A person can build a highly detailed model, and then do a simple curbside with the next. Steve

This is why I feel that a civilized critique is so valuable. I would want to know. Apparently not everyone feels this way. This circumstance may not be a perfect parallel to offering criticism to a builders work outright, but it has some merit on the subject. Recently, on another thread, an individual offered the fact that he had recently sprayed Duplicolor automotive touch up paint directly over a plastic kit body with no adverse affect. Should we just ignore it because of the possibility that the individual might feel that he is being attacked, or should we warn that this was obviously an exception and not the rule. I think that any of us that have tried this will attest that it's not the best idea and it might be a good service to warn other members who might not be as advanced in their knowledge of painting techniques and unaware of the possible consequences. Should we just mind our own business and shut up for fear of starting an argument, or should we try to offer our experience in the event that another individual thinks that this is normal practice and ruins his brand new $35.00 kit body? This type of scenario is why I feel that more information is always better than none. Just my opinion. Steve

Every thread has the tendency to morph into other subjects. It's just the nature of the beast. Steve

Maybe I'm just weird, but I consider all criticisms welcome, regardless of whether they are offered in the midst of a build, or after it's finished. I don't always heed advice taken, but it is still welcome. I have never learned a thing in my life by closing my mind. I like to think that we are all here to not only display our skills and techniques, but to advance them. I couldn't begin to tell you how much I have learned, (much of it through critique) since I became a member here, and I feel I am much richer for it. I agree with a lot of the comments here that the way that a critique is offered can be a night or day difference, but I also feel that if a person has any tact at all, he should be able to offer an evaluation without being offensive. Steve

Also true. Steve

I don't know. I suppose that might be an issue. I guess it has just been my perception that if you're not here to possibly advance your building skills, I'm not sure why you would be here at all. A forum is designed as a place to exchange ideas, and that's how I regard it. Otherwise I suppose that a person might be here just to offer their knowledge and not to learn anything? Seems useless to me. But, I guess if that's a person's thing, so be it. I generally will only offer a tip without prompting if it is someone whom I consider a "friend" on the board. Steve

Likewise. I mix a jar of engine colors on occasion and keep them around for the next project, but any little detail colors I mix as I need them. Steve

I remember a similar circumstance that I had at a show when an individual commented after looking at a 1961 Buick Invicta model that I had displayed, that "it looked great, but that the tail light lenses were supposed to be all red without the chrome "ribs" that the Electra had that year". It really didn't bother me. I just said, "oh, okay, I didn't know that", and chalked it up as a learning experience. The funny part of the story is that sometime later, the same individual approached me and apologized because he realized that he was wrong. "The Invicta did indeed have the chrome bands, and it was the LeSabre that did not", he stated. This experience cemented in my mind that not all criticisms are necessarily designed to wound, and I try not to take them as such. Steve

I agree that the way that a criticism is presented can be a little coarse sometimes, but I actually welcome critique on my builds. It helps me to learn things that I might not have known. That is part of the reason that I love remarks on my "on the bench" threads. I have been "directed" many times for things that I had wrong, and I am grateful for it. I just try to take criticism in the context that the commentator is trying to help me, not bash me. Steve

Forget the tip and just load up a brush with the ink. You'll get better control than with those clunky tips. Steve

I think it's a good idea. You can still cut them small enough to fit inside of the bezel. Or better yet, you could cut out the molded in lens and use some of this reflective tape on the inside of the body. Steve

Just don't be one of those guys that thinks he's sitting on a gold mine and lists for way more than it will ever bring. There are vintage kits on ebay that I have been seeing for several years because the guy thinks he has something really special........and doesn't! Steve

I'm not much for customs, but that's nice! Steve