Just a good ol’ boy. Never meanin no harm

[Crapy Builder]

As a few of you know, I’m new here, so please don’t be too critical of me. I’ve recently retired and wanted to find something to kinda do to get me out of the honeydew list my wife has found for me. Then I remembered that back just after the stone age I used to have a great and relaxing time building model cars. Along with time on my hands and a little weed, I could get pretty creative. Now that being said, by typing, I found y’all, and I started reading and really have picked up on some great tips and people. So far, I think I’ve only managed to tick off one person, and you know who you are, and I am sorry. All that to get to this. I’m a modeler on a budget so like some of you I improvise with a lot of things. I’m currently working on a Dale Earnhardt model, and while I’m waiting for the paint to cure, I thought about something that I wanted to share and maybe get some feedback on. I remember back in the day, I used to get cars ready for paint by simply using a S.O.S. pad and water to get them ready for paint, never primered any of them, and they all worked well. Now my paint jobs sometimes turned out great, and sometimes they didn’t. But I think that was on me. I’ve started prep on a 1966 Chevelle Street Rat, and if I’m not too embarrassed by how it and my #3 turn out I’ll post pictures. Now me being technologically challenged, I’ll probably have to get my 7 year old granddaughter to show me how to do it, but after all this, I don’t want to do this for any show or anything, I just want to do this because I enjoy it and it brings me relaxation and joy, and do the best I can with them. And I really hope that’s why y’all do it. LOL! One more thing before I shut up. I’ve read a lot about y’all’s building in garages and basements, boy howdy, you can’t hide money! I’ve got an old shed out back and that’s where all my painting is done. Got a cardboard paint booth with an old bathroom fart fan to try to keep the dust down. Thank all y’all for the tips, education, and advise. 

 

[atomicholiday]

Sounds to me like you have the right attitude towards model building.   Do it because you enjoy it, and build for yourself, not others.   

As far as money,  hey,  I shoot paint outside!   You know,  you can learn a lot from the folks on this site,  but you still have to do what works for you.   Ask ten people how to paint and you'll get ten different answers. 

Keep on keeping on!   And post em when you got em.  

[Bills72sj]

Yes, do it for the fun of it. Do not get worked up about the results. Just practice your craft.  Never let it become a chore. Just walk away for a bit if needed.

[bobthehobbyguy]

Bottom line the hobby is suppose to be fun and enjoyable. 

There are lots of ways to do things and you will have to find what works for you.

Hopefully you will post your current build. When you do if you want constructive criticism ask for it(you really need to ask as many will be hesitant to comment otherwise) . 

It will help you improve the things you want to improve. It takes time to develop your skills. We get get better with practice and that happens with each build.

 

[Ulf]

It should be fun to build, I sometimes build with the same attitude as I had as a child and it is very fun, a few moments in adult life where I do not have responsibilities and duties.?
I also prep the bodies with kitchen pads, mold lines and especially sharp edges. Light pressure or nothing and letting the pad fly over the edges gives decent results. I start with the edges of the chassis if the kitchen pad is brand new and then it will be reasonably worn to the body.

[Rattlecan Dan]

Hey Ken. Never would have thought you could use a scouring pad on the surface of the plastic without leaving scratches. I close the door and hope no one is listening when I begin having my conversations with the kit or parts I am working on. I try to do my best when modeling and it doesn't always come easy. I paint on the back porch, also use a cardboard box for a spray booth but paint on top of the box not into it. No fan (might stir up dust or draw dust into the build). I use only Rattle cans for paint. Tamiya is my favorite. I may have a peculiar attitude about modeling but I'm only happy when things turn out right or at least the best I can do. Sorry for all too much gum-flapping. Want you to feel at home and at ease with a great bunch of fellow modelers.

[ea0863]

Welcome Ken! My story is very close to yours, and I've only been posting here for a year or so myself. Great group of folks and not a mean one in the bunch. Besides, if someone really gets too hornery, have your granddaughter show you how to block them!  I too paint however it moves me; sometimes indoors, sometimes out. Sometimes model enamel, other times automotive lacquer, and yet other times I'll just leave the model unpainted because it looks good to me as is. At the end of the day, all you're trying to do is relax, enjoy, and maybe get a little sense of accomplishment. 

The only thing I will say about primer vs. no primer is that when I shoot primer, my tired old eyes pick up a lot more of the details and imperfections in the part I'm working on - and thus it makes prep work easier for me. Just food for thought.