Its All About the Paint

[afx]

Can we admit that model building is all about the paint finish?  If you are at a show or even on the forum if the build doesn’t meet the paint standard we quickly move on.  Only if the paint meets the ideal do we delve any deeper into examining the other details of the build  – right?  

[Mark]

Paint is probably the thing that puts more projects into boxes and on the back burner more than anything else. 

[Bill J]

I have to agree. Seems like the paint is the real attention getter, no matter how much detail or modification is involved. Without that eye grabbing paint job it may well be overlooked.

[Snake45]

Well, kinda sorta.

I have several nice models with no body paint at all--I just polished the plastic. I'm particularly proud of some of these.

But yeah, the finish of a built model--whether it's show-car shiny or worn and weathered--is probably the first thing that catches my eye. That and overall "sit" and stance. And then wheels/tires. And only then do I start looking at details, if any.

[Snake45]

Paint is probably the thing that puts more projects into boxes and on the back burner more than anything else. 

In my case, it's more the dreading of a paint job, or putting it off as long as possible. Once I've got the paint ON and it's dry, the fun can begin.

I will avoid the airbrush corner of the Snakepit for months at a time, simply dreading the task. The funny thing is, once I start using it again, it becomes "no big deal" and I might be over there six or eight times a day airbrushing stuff, and this phase can go on for weeks until the next Hiatus of Dread begins.

[Snake45]

Half the work of a good finish happens before the paint goes on.

And I never count on getting a good finish straight from the can or airbrush (unless I'm doing something in primer), so the other half of a good finish happens after the paint dries.

[JTalmage]

I will admit, that painting is personally my most favorite part. I just like being able to nail a good finish. Especially with rattle cans... which is how I do all of mine. I painted a porsche tamiya yellow and tamiya clear... and it was at night... and I was in a hurry. Somehow even with rattle cans that paint came out soo smooth and glossy I didnt even have to wetsand a thing. Super happy about that. I'll sometimes wetsand them a little bit and polish them but I didn't have to touch that Porsche at all. One of the reasons I almost use Tamiya exclusively now.

[unclescott58]

Ah... paint. For years a major problem. Switching to Tamiya lacquer took care of 99% of my problems. Though I ran across a sickening problem just the day before yesterday. I've been working on Lindberg's '37 Cord. Shot the model in Tamiya's dark blue. It turned out very nice. But, then... has I'm gluing the steering column in I got a drop of glue in the middle of the driver's door. Ruining the finish! I didn't panic. The next day, yesterday, I went down stairs and shot out a little paint in a way I could drip a brush in it. I then went over the spot with a brush. In general it blended pretty well. But, only "pretty well." You can still tell where the damage was done. It just needs to be smooth down somehow to blend it in better. And there is the rub. How and what do I use to rub it out? It's very minor. But, I'm afraid of doing more damage by trying to smooth the blemish out. 

Scott

 

[Snake45]

Ah... paint. For years a major problem. Switching to Tamiya lacquer took care of 99% of my problems. Though I ran across a sickening problem just the day before yesterday. I've been working on Lindberg's '37 Cord. Shot the model in Tamiya's dark blue. It turned out very nice. But, then... has I'm gluing the steering column in I got a drop of glue in the middle of the driver's door. Ruining the finish! I didn't panic. The next day, yesterday, I went down stairs and shot out a little paint in a way I could drip a brush in it. I then went over the spot with a brush. In general it blended pretty well. But, only "pretty well." You can still tell where the damage was done. It just needs to be smooth down somehow to blend it in better. And there is the rub. How and what do I use to rub it out? It's very minor. But, I'm afraid of doing more damage by trying to smooth the blemish out. 

Scott

 

I think I'd sand the spot flush, mask off the door, and just reshoot the door. Might be your best bet at a fix at this point.

Either that, or leave it as it is and say it's a parking lot door ding.....

[Dann Tier]

Can we admit that model building is all about the paint finish?  If you are at a show or even on the forum if the build doesn’t meet the paint standard we quickly move on.  Only if the paint meets the ideal do we delve any deeper into examining the other details of the build  – right?  

 

 

I agree with you 1000%!!  People like "shiny" things, and apparently in the model building world, if its not blindingly shiny, it doesn't get attention. I've been to contests where the winners had finishes that look like they were spit-shined by  the U.S Honor Guard, but the detail, craftsmanship were as if someone else had done the assembly process entirely, and not that good in comparison to their polishing. some of these still win-out when they shouldn't. Example: i'm also a competitive bodybuilder. We judge on: size, definition, and symmetry. You have to have a BALANCE of all three to be the winner. At one of my shows in particular, it was down to the last three of us. The guy on my right was bigger than me, but was retaining water, so he didn't have as good definition as I had. The guy to the left of me had the same definition as me, but was considerably smaller than me. I won. Balance. If one guy has a build that shows great attention to detail, executes the work cleanly and believably, but his finish is not as "shiny" as the next guys, who has less detail and not as clean finishing, he should still win. Far too many people focus only on the "gloss" of a model. anybody can Buff a finish out.

Edited March 2, 2017 by Dann Tier

[iamsuperdan]

Totally agree. A poor paint job just makes a model fail in my mind.

How many times have we seen a completed kit, with awesome engine detailing, awesome weathering, great interior, and then a really bad paint finish. Totally loses.

 

Which is why I'm rarely happy with my finished builds! I'm still trying to master the art of the paintjob. 

 

 

[afx]

That is my underlying point – who decided that only models with layers of highly polished clear are worthy of notice?  I have been contemplating lately leaving my builds in primer to force people to look beyond the paint finish. 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2017 by afx

[Dann Tier]

That is my underlying point – who decided that only models with layers of highly polished clear are worth of notice?  I have been contemplating lately leaving my builds in primer to force people to look beyond the paint finish. 

 

 

I think that you have the proper SCALE gloss on your finishes. I remember telling you that there is something about your builds that I like ALOT. its your REALISTIC balance. Tons of modelers get overlooked when they shouldn't. I'm still a firm believer that the Shine, gloss, finish, ...whatever you call it, MUST be subject to being scaled-down, if everything else is.

Edited March 2, 2017 by Dann Tier

[DrKerry]

Overall look in finish and fitment catches the eye first. Like you said if that isn't there you tend to look past and onto something else... When I judge cars the finish stands out first and does pull you in for a better look!!!!

[afx]

I appreciate that Dann and agree that the sheen of the finish should be more to scale but it’s not just about me.  A lot of builders stop showing their projects or worst quit building because we have all been conditioned that unless the paint is miles deep it’s an inferior build.   Modeling magazines have helped drive this narrative. What makes the cover or what wins the awards - the glossiest build.

[Reeves Racing]

I agree JC. You seem to build a lot of race cars and when you see a race car in person it is not the shiniest. Mostly because it's a used car not a brand new car or a show car.

I just attended the Carl Casper car show last Saturday. I like seeing the great looking cars but I know that said car never sees the road. It gets pushed out of the garage into the hauler and pushed to its spot at the car show. 

That's the only way to keep the paint on the engine and exhaust... no less, looking brand new.

It all depends on what your goal is. The shiniest paint, or the most accurate representation of the car you are modeling. If that car is a show car then the shinier the better, if its a driver or a race car then over shiny doesn't look right.

 

[Dann Tier]

I appreciate that Dann and agree that the sheen of the finish should be more to scale but it’s not just about me.  A lot of builders stop showing their projects or worst quit building because we have all been conditioned that unless the paint is miles deep it’s an inferior build.   Modeling magazines have helped drive this narrative. What makes the cover or what wins the awards - the glossiest build.

I agree, it goes even deeper than that, you know, society is constantly told that if you are not perfect, you are nothing special. NOTHING is perfect. I,ve taken a lot of first place trophies home for my builds, and even then, judges would say, "now if we can only get you to polish your cars....."  -I tell Everybody that I REFUSE to polish. I will NEVER win best paint, but I honestly don't care. infact, I'm not a trophy person either, both my model car and bodybuilding trophies have NEVER been displayed -they lay in a box somewhere.

 

 

Edited March 2, 2017 by Dann Tier

[Zoom Zoom]

I agree about the paint finish being the biggest thing that can draw you in or drive you away, but I disagree with the sentiment it has to be full gloss. There are more and more fantastic weathered builds at shows; model car guys are learning and sharing techniques of weathering for realistic in-scale patina. 

I have a Ferrari from the '50's on the bench and my plan is for a modern basecoat metallic w/clear, but I'm going to modify the clearcoat so it's not the usual "clearcoat, level, polish to high shine" routine, as I want a more subtle authentic appearing in-scale finish.

In the past 25-30 years the level of professional-looking finishes displayed by model car builders has gone through the roof. That's a good thing! But does the model have the more subtle details done to add depth of interest to the entire model, not just depth of sheen of the clearcoat?

[afx]

I disagree that's a good thing for the hobby.  When the contest or magazine standard becomes 1:1 automotive finishes applied through $800-$1000 spray rigs I think it has gone too far.

[tedd60]

I know this is slightly off topic, but there are 2 paint jobs on a model:  1.  The exterior finish, and 2. The detail work, and either one can be the death of an otherwise well built model.  I've seen a number of models that had the exterior done very nicely, but the detail work on the engine and chassis look like they were done by a six year old with a crayon.

As a builder, I am light years behind most all y'all and can't paint worth a hoot, but I do know that a painted-on hose clamp that was poorly done just ruins an otherwise nicely done engine bay. 

Edited March 2, 2017 by tedd60

[tedd60]

 

 

Edited March 6, 2017 by tedd60

[Xingu]

I disagree that's a good thing for the hobby.  When the contest or magazine standard becomes 1:1 automotive finishes applied through $800-$1000 spray rigs I think it has gone too far.

Agree with this 100%.

What are model judging standards? I have only been to one show, so have no real reference for this.

Paint/finish should only be a percentage of the overall score, just like in 1:1 car show judging. 1:1 show judging has a group of judges that score every car (or every car in a group). I don't think that happens at model shows.

I am OK with a shiny car, lacking in detail, winning "Fan Favorite" or something similar.

[bbowser]

It's the same things that attract your attention to a real car.  A well done coat of paint makes your car (or house for that matter) more appealing.

[Snake45]

Two of the absolute best finishes I've ever seen here (or anywhere else) were done by a Russian modeler--the cars were a '70s Corvette and I think a '55 Chevy. They didn't shine at all but the finishes and overall effect were breathtaking and I returned to both threads several times just to admire them. Anyone remember the models I'm talking about?

[Zoom Zoom]

I disagree that's a good thing for the hobby.  When the contest or magazine standard becomes 1:1 automotive finishes applied through $800-$1000 spray rigs I think it has gone too far.

You have totally lost me with that sentiment.