Water-based Spray Chrome System.

[E St. Kruiser50]

I thought I'd post this as a bit of a challange. Not so much about the chrome, but about stepping out of "THE PROVERBIAL BOX" - .

I realize that this is just a hobby, so why go to all the expense and effort of chroming or using urethane paints, or anything else difficult. Making roll-up windows like Bill does? ?

Because we love a challange that is difficult, that is hard, maybe even impossible. At that point it's not so much about model building, as it is about doing something new and the "CHALLANGE". Maybe no one has done it before.

It's easy to sometimes be a bit lazy about my hobby and even my life. Taking the "Easy Way", so to speak. But there's no adventure there. No adrenalin or passion. I know, I can hear some of you sayin, WHOA Dave - slow down. This is just plastic - just a hobby.

But you could say that about life too, and where's the fun in that???

So why post this. I guess to share an "attitude". Where would Harry P. be if he hadn't struggled to get as good as he is. Or Jairus, and his incredible air-brush art. I know Jairus and have seen his work personally - incredible work. But it took him years. It didn't happen over night.

Believe me, I'm not comparing myself to these two "Artist's".

There are so many way's to enjoy this hobby and make friends, and challange yourself to make life and this hobby more fun personally. By pushing myself to learn more, I can share more, and help others to enjoy this interest we share, and at the same time challange myself at something new and difficult, but fun . Keeps me PUMPED!!

[MrObsessive]

Well said Mark!...............And no, I didn't mind being the "guinea pig"!

Yes, it's very true that I've rather "plateaued" in my pushing the envelope. I'm more focused now on getting details correct be it body shapes/contours, interiors, etc.

It's also true that if I tried to outdo subsequent builds with ever more working features, burnout was sure to set in. I actually began to notice this when I was building the '64 GTO.......you remember the one with roll up windows AND a working folding top??

I was running into frustration the deeper I got into the model to the point where burnout was setting in...........not to mention I was in the process of a big move, new position/responsibility at work, along with some other hassles going on at the time.

After the move to the new house.........I decided to shelve the GTO and kinda "get back to basics" with a string of simpler yet clean builds. Witness the '61 Cadillac curbside, '59 Buick curbside, box stock (basically) '05 Mustang and 'Vette, and the '06 Magnum.

Now that I've sorta gotten back in the swing of things and gotten into the '55 Ford, I'll tone it back a bit again when I'm done with it with a couple more somewhat simpler builds before I get back into something crazier.

This is what's been working for me........and with my life being a little more complicated now------Mortgage & car payments, yet another new position at work, I want this hobby to be more about relaxation, and not so much outdoing myself with each build anymore.

[JAFFA]

Whatever that guy said.

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[E St. Kruiser50]

Hey Bluesman and Bill

I agree with both of you . I think we're saying the same thing, just in different ways.

I'm a very driven "Type A" personality, that "THRIVES" on complexity and intensity and challange. Burnout is never an option for people like me, because we live in our passions, and love the "Endorfins" and the "Highs" we get from enjoying life. May be a bit of an adrenalin "Junkie", but it's what "Floats my boat" - LOL . I guess maybe this is some of ths 'Darker side of Dave", but boy does it work in all of my life, not just my model building.

And yes 'Bill", those "Plateus" in life are very nice when we are just invoved in the every-dayness of model building or other area's of life, or using our building as a survival tool to get through a myriad of changes taking place in life.

For me, I'm retired, so life is pretty stable now, and the "Career and relational Challanges" of life are pretty much behind me - THANK GOODNESS!!!

A few years ago, I started becoming aware of a culture problem we as men have. Society has done a goood job of "Dumbing us down" as Masculine men, and trying to tame us and make us "Soft and Tender", or just plain look stupid on a lot of sitcome's, and we bought it. They have taken away permission for us to be adventureous, a little dangerous, a little egotisticle and arrogant and to regale in enjoying "Real Inspiring Challanges", even in model building. Like King Arthur's Court and the Knight's of the Roundtable. This may sound a bit over the top for just model building, but it affects every walk of life in a man's world today. The culture has tried to steal a man's heart and what used to make him a man.

That's why mentioning the Challange !

We all as men, need some sort of venue to prove our worth, even if it's just model building. That's why we men compete in contests and go on line here to show that we either have it or are in pursuit of having it. That's why we "Swagger when we win or receive accolades. But we're afraid to admit it, because - OH MY GOSH - What if the secret get's out that I want to be a "Real Man" and be arrogant. No one has given poor little me permission, and so I'll just buy into it and put everyone down thats arrogant or egotistacle and swaggers and who's proud of himself and what he's accomplished - HEAVEN FORBID we be proud of ourselves and act like men.!!!!

My buddies and I are High-fivers and chest bumpers. We're street-Rodders and bikers, even in our 60's. Not trying to prove anything, just enjoying life. My best friend Jack, is 60 and rides a crotch-rocket that'll do 180 and he loves to lay it down in the curves and "Screw it on" for the RUSH> Now that's livin' it guy's .

We've all got something to prove - our masculinity- so might as well admit it and enjoy it

The worst thing we can do is live in DENIAL !!!

Edited August 8, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[cruz]

Sweet and simple, make this pastime fun!

[george 53]

Welp, since I can't live in DE-Nile, I'll jus live in Deeee-Troit! (and I agree with ALL of ya'll!)

[Zoom Zoom]

Sweet and simple, make this pastime fun!

That's my mantra! As soon as it gets too complicated or too much like "work", back in the box it goes

[CAL]

That's my mantra! As soon as it gets too complicated or too much like "work", back in the box it goes

I guess I kind have to agree.

All my started but unfinished projects, probably 15-20 have been overly complicated, lacking tools, experience, or ability, or have gotten long in the tooth.

I still try to push on every model, I just don't try and to it ALL on every kit I touch. Rather, try a little at a time. Eventually I will get to those mamoth projects.

[Zoom Zoom]

I still try to push on every model, I just don't try and to it ALL on every kit I touch. Rather, try a little at a time. Eventually I will get to those mamoth projects.

I'm the same way; I do push myself to improve my skills on just about every build I do, but that's different than the "overcomplicateditis" that can doom a project from having far too vivid an imagination and not a level head about how difficult a project might be until it gets to that point that it goes back in the box. A lot of my "improvements" are simple things that save time and give a better result with a minimum of effort.

[E St. Kruiser50]

I hate to do this, but I have to be honest, I'm 180 degrees the opposite way. I have nothing to prove to anybody, least of all myself. I am quite content & secure in my manhood/masculinity to not need such silly adolescent displays of "machismo". I think that "high fives" & "chest bumping" is just about the most ridiculous affectation one can have, & I have to be brutally honest here, I do feel I have evolved beyond doing or needing to do that, (I really couldn't find any other way of expressing that, & believe me I tried!). What's next, grunting, belching & scratching our crotches in public? Please. I have no need for such childish posturing, & have never needed it. The next "high five" I do will be the first one I've ever done, & that just ain't gonna happen!

If someone has such an insecure opinion of their manhood, perhaps asking their doctor about Viagra or Cialis is the next logical step?

As for driving fast; yes I do that, yes I enjoy the adrenaline rush of it, but I don't do it or need the adrenaline rush to "feel alive" or "manly". I am beyond such immature emotions.

Bottom line is this: I am a man, I know I am a man, & I don't need to prove that I am to myself or anyone else.

No denial here, I know wha & who I am, & I don't have to make a damned fool of myself to prove it.

Now that's what I like - Some attitude

Edited August 8, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[Zoom Zoom]

No denial here, I know wha & who I am, & I don't have to make a damned fool of myself to prove it.

I hear you loud and clear. I'm man enough to admit I look at the instruction manual while building my models. A LOT

[Harry P.]

Popeye said it best: "I yam what I yam"...

[george 53]

Yeah,But Harry HE ATE SPINACH right out da can!!!! Thats one TUFF MoFo!