Dr. Cranky

Tommy, I use the big photo albums (most of the time you can get them discounted or on sale at the craft stores) with the clear plastic photo slips. Those work the best. You want to keep the moisture and the light away from your decals so store them in a dry place.

Over the weekend I had lunch with Pat Covert and he reminded me of something that gave me the idea for this thread, and that is the use of different (really different techniques) builders have employed to create some highly original model cars that would be considered more art or craft than the standard plastic model. In the early 90s, Mr. Covert utilized a technique where you hold a car body under water, you then spray or drizzle different enamel paints on the surface and when you bring up the model body the paint sticks to it. You can never achieve the same "swirl" effect twice, but the results are very interesting. Also, I have seen model cars adorned with beads, etc . . . I would love to see examples of models done using different art techniques and products, and I hope that if you have them you will share them here.

The fogging and fading looks excellent. Thanks for sharing.

Outstanding progress, Adam. Loving every stage and step of it. Take your vitamins and keep it going.

Ira, I love the results and the look of this build. Love to see this one in person too. You really have inspired us with this build. Thank you.

George, you bring up a good point. My wife and I have been eating home cooked meals now for a number of years, and that has helped our budget. People think eating out is a better alternative, but it can run up quick and destroy your budged. The point is, like everything in life, you have to prioritize . . . simple as that.

I agree with all the same sentiment that calls for just keeping the stuff around for a couple of years to see if you pick it up again, if not you'll have to start from scratch all over. Take time off and cool off and see where that leads.

Luke, you can do simple two-tone masking and maybe even masked flames with rattle can, but anything in terms of layered graphics is going to be pretty difficult. My advice is to practice on scrap sheets of cardboard or styrene just to see if maybe you can use some cool fogging and fading effects, etc . . .

I guess I'm the only one who says "model" so far. Okay, I can live with that!

I love the color, Jim . . . nice model!

That looks very cool. Looking forward to seeing more progress.

I'd never seen that kit, looks fabulous.

Did anyone take pictures at the show? I'd like to see some.

I like the way this one is headed . . . keep it going.

I think kit prices will continue to rise, but most of us are addicted beyond repair, so most of the money goes towards kits, etc . . . Rob, Fujimi kits are expensive, sure, but they tend to be great kits too.

I have a few kits here that I can consider, but I might end up using the GMC Sonoma. I like that kit, but I have to find one and buy it.

That looks very cool in that camo patter, Harold. Thanks for sharing it. I copied several of the pictures for the next VIDEO UPDATE.

J, that's the right attitude. You keep thinking you are having fun with it. It's a wonderful tool and nothing to be afraid of. I carried mine everywhere I went for a while and held it and practiced on it every chance I got. Wait until you start trying templates and masking to get some super cool paint jobs.

Rich, all the things you mention give me nostalgia when I see them on vehicles now. I guess that's the point.

Steve, I saw them on face book. Very cool stuff.

I think the project will look very cool.

Erik, those are great sources, in particular for those of us (myself included) who live it smaller or out of the way places.

Rob, I like your logic and this list is a great place to start. The thing about shows is that they are laid out very similar to flea markets. Everyone has their booth. Lots of goodies everywhere, and the larger the shows and the well attended they are, the more it gets to be difficult to control the wallet or purse. For those of us who are always concerned about the well being of the hobby, it's great to see people coming through and spending their hard earned money on stuff they find irresistible. My attitude is NEVER to pass up on getting something I might regret later if I don't buy it now. After 10-15 years, you look around your bench an realize you are just one step away from being a hoarder. LOL!

I returned from a great show where for the first time I was part of the after market vendors, selling copies of my book, t-shirts, decals, etc . . . and I realized that for the first time I was paying close attention to how folks spend their money on the hobby, the things we buy, and the reasons we buy them. Of course, we all go to shows to look for those things we need, or things that we thought we'd never need, but suddenly we change our minds and get them. It's hard NOT to spend money at shows. There's always something. Most of us, though (and in particular in this economy) are watching our budgets. Suddenly we start making parts instead of getting them from the aftermarket. We fabricate, we improvise, we watch every penny. My point is that there are things that we NEED if we ever intend to get our modeling to the next level, and so we prioritize, we figure out what we can use and what we can live without for the time being. We don't all need to have a lathe and or a mill, but sometimes we have to bite the bullet and buy parts made by others . . . Anyway, I'm wondering where your priorities are in this huge and diverse after market world of kits, parts, and merchandise.

Thanks for the great comments so far, this is exactly the kind of discussion I had hoped to get started. Keep on sharing.