At what level to STOP detailing.

[whale392]

I am at a crossroads of sorts; I have started a build that will be for the contest table, and have scratchbuilt many parts so far (with quite a few failed attempts). The failed attempts (quite a few in nature) and their location on the vehicle have me wondering; just how far do you go detail-wise for a contest? I know the underside of the vehicle will be looked at (and am building a display stand to do just that) as well as the topside/interior/engine bay. But in that, just how far should I go with the engine? The timing cover/crankshaft timing belt pully/counterbalance shaft plate/pully will barely be seen when down in the engine bay, yet I have 5 attempts in the above mentioned items and am still not happy with it (well, the pullies haven't been made yet, but everything else has been attempted). Am I just being THAT picky, or will the judges be looking at it? I know a lot of it comes down to product knowledge, and I know a lot of judges won't/don't know what the front of a Ford 2.3Turbo looks like without the belt guard.......but I do.

I just want to know where you guys take your detailing level too and if I am just being a little too picky with my work. Thanks for the thoughts/opinions.

[Railfreak78]

I am a new guy to the super detailing. So I still find it fun and challenging. I also feel like I don't want to do it every build. I have seen some crazy stuff at the shows. They win a lot but sometimes it does not have to be overboard. I find some basic details with a handfull of mods seems to work well. There will always be someone that blows the mind. It seems it does not mean every kit has to.

[DRG]

I am one that believes we build to please ourselves. Obviously the items you mentioned are bothering you therefore I would assume you are left with no other choice than to fix them.

Myself, my limit is set by two things.

1- My skill level at present

2- My wallet.

[Ben]

When you can turn the key and start it, stop, your good!

[Gregg]

And of course, the D word: Divorce......

I think once you loose that effect of the illusion of creating a real car, in scale, you have gone too far.

I have seen way too many models where the builder was just trying to stuff upon stuff upon stuff, and it looked so tacky.

I think the old adage, less is more, works well for models.

It's about creating a realistic illusion, to me.

I do love to build the super-detailed ones, but those are few are far between.

There is a 1/43 Superior Make Up Japan kit that would blow the minds of almost everyone here.

That is too much detail, and it's 1/43 scale, too boot.

That one may be the ONE that does it for me.

So, when is time to stop?

When you start adding stuff on that looks like it was added on.

okay, I pau...

[old-hermit]

It all depends on how anal you are about detail. No offence intended.

I borrowed this pic from a ship building forum to prove a point.

This is completly scratch built and is 1/96 scale.

[Lownslow]

i dont go past plug wires and occasionally swap the radiator hose for something that fits

[ChrisPflug]

Build for yourself- I enjoy adding as much mechanical detail as possible but do it because I enjoy it whether or not anyone ever sees it

Concentrate on a clean build as well as proper scale for the added items. See quite a few builds here with all kinds of details but glaring problems with finish or a major part of the build or items that just don't "fit in"- usually the individual item is out of scale or just added in a way that makes it unnatural appearing- if it "stands out" more than it would on the 1:1 it's no good

Legible printing on hoses or underhood decals at 1:25 is generally a sign you've got the scale wrong- just a "hint" is often more effective

[Dave Ambrose]

I'll preface these remarks by saying that it's been 45 years since my last judged model car contest.

We create illusions. Our little creations will never be real cars, but they will create that image in the mind of the viewer. I don't think there's any point in detailing something you can't see. That goes for location and size. If something is so tiny you need a 10X magnifying glass to see it, it's not needed.

In creating a believable illusion, things like proportions, colors, appropriate sheen, and a believable design are far more important than minute details in the engine compartment.

Once you have those lined up, it makes sense to add more visible details.

I think that if you're detailing parts that are barely visible, you've gone a little too far. Concentrate your efforts on things we'll see.

That said, I have no idea how contests get judged these days. Maybe they wander around with stereo microscopes?

[CrewDawg15]

I'm a firm believer of trying to get it right, and not giving up until your happy. I love to scratchbuild especially engines. As far as the turbo pinto mill, do as much as you'd like. But if a lot of it won't be seen, maybe build a separate motor for display out of the car if the contest allows. That way all of you could show off your handywork for all to see

Jimmy

[Pete J.]

I've always believed that you can't have too much detail. The question is why are you doing it. For me, it is the fun of doing the difficult. I have been known to do a bit of over the top stuff, but I did it because I love the challenge. Yes, it did get put on the contest table, but that wasn't really the original intent. It was to do best build I could pull off. I really like to see people look at one of my models and get drawn in. First glance is a "Hey, this is nice." followed by a "Oh, I didn't see that." to a "How the heck did he do that?". Here are a couple of examples of "probably a little too much". I know that most judges would just never see them, but I know they are there and it matter to me.

Now if you are building for the judges, that is difficult. Visible to the naked eye, comes to mind. If you can't see it without magnification, then you have gone to far. Also, keep in mind that detail doesn't mean squat, if the basics aren't there. I have seen too many models on the table with a ton of detail and a lousy paint job. Don't get killed by the elephants while you are trying to stomp out the ants.

[ian ashton]

I have a simple strategy: keep it fun. Once I get "stressed" or bored, I finish it up.

[Nitro Neil]

I have always followed one simple rule:

It's a Hobby.

If you aren't having fun, you're doing it wrong.

I have gone past the level of "fun" once, and now I know where that point is, for ME.

My suggestion is for you to find that point for yourself.

I will also add that the point where it is no longer "fun" will probably move. As I have gotten more experience, I have found that some things that used to be difficult are now much easier, and so that has allowed me to move on to the next difficult thing and still have it be fun.

And also remember that everyone has their own definition of fun. Don't take someone else's definition of fun as your own. Don't do something in this hobby just because you think your are "supposed" to.

[Jon Cole]

It strikes me odd as I look through my stash of detail and super detail sets that I have collected through the years... as time goes by, my desire to use them wanes.

Right now, I am in one of my worse funks ever. The most I can do at the hobby bench is shuffle stuff around. I am a “middle of the road†detailer… I do OK, but never so good that it will make a contest judge drop his jaw. And I seem to be caring less. I cannot build right now. I hope to try again someday.

[Len Geisler]

For me personally, it is quite simple. I do what I can and when I am pleased I stop. For example, I like the idea of hoses and wires under the hood of a model, but not if it makes it look too busy or congested, make sense? Another thing I have noticed over the past couple years, everything I have started that was to have lots and lots of detail, plug wires, hoses, electrial connections, etc, are still sitting on the bench or in boxes no yet completed. However, the "quick" or "shelf" builds have been done and on display. I do one show a year, NNL East, and it is peoples choice, so if I do decide to show something, I dont worry about judges. All the other times, friends, family see what I have built. My greatest reward, has been as of late, building with my four year old, and hearing him tell me how cool it is to build a model with dad.

Long and short of it, build to you are happy...

[Curtis v.]

i might be repeating a lot of what people are saying on here but, for a contest, do as much detailing as you can see fairly easily. for the small stuff if you detail it, it can start to look tacky really easily. and i agree with everyone on this, if you arent having fun with it, your doing too much detail

[DanielG]

It all depends on how anal you are about detail. No offence intended.

I borrowed this pic from a ship building forum to prove a point.

This is completly scratch built and is 1/96 scale.

As someone said, detailing for its own sake will fail: the detail in the picture is over scale to start with, the tackle is loose, hence a loose cannon, one deck ring is out of place, the breeching rope is not fastened to the cascabel so won't do its job and so on. Nit picking? Yes, but a little correct detail I think goes further than a whole bunch which is wrong. Just my two Lincolns worth.

[Chuck Most]

As someone said, detailing for its own sake will fail: the detail in the picture is over scale to start with, the tackle is loose, hence a loose cannon, one deck ring is out of place, the breeching rope is not fastened to the cascabel so won't do its job and so on. Nit picking? Yes, but a little correct detail I think goes further than a whole bunch which is wrong. Just my two Lincolns worth.

Gee- I'd have never even noticed that! I was thinking 'well, a war ship's decks would look naked without cannons- what's so bad about that?" I never even noticed it was overscale, and the cannons weren't even secured properly!

[DanielG]

I know, I can be even more anal than the next guy!

[Chuck Most]

all of that is a problem for you but the oversized nailhead details on the decking boards are okay?

They're Twentypence nails, which were... um... oversized.

(And yes, I did notice the oversized nail heads. AFTER Dave pointed it out. Good thing I don't judge at contests for ship models...)

[Dr. Cranky]

Just like you build to your tastes and skill level, detail the same. Forget judges, magazines, forums, etc . . . detail and build to your liking, always thinking outside of the box.

[DanielG]

all of that is a problem for you but the oversized nailhead details on the decking boards are okay?

That would be covered under "and so on" but I don't have a "problem" with any of it, it would only be a problem for me if I was the one doing it! I only pointed it out to illustrate the ants and elephants analogy.

[2002p51]

We create illusions. Our little creations will never be real cars, but they will create that image in the mind of the viewer. I don't think there's any point in detailing something you can't see. That goes for location and size. If something is so tiny you need a 10X magnifying glass to see it, it's not needed.

In creating a believable illusion, things like proportions, colors, appropriate sheen, and a believable design are far more important than minute details in the engine compartment.

This really is the essence of it.

An artist doesn't paint each individual leaf on a tree, or the veins on the leaves. He or she just makes some dabs of paint and from a normal viewing distance we see them as leaves.

The same goes for a model car. Unless you're a really intense contest judge, the normal viewing distance from our models is from about 15 scale feet on out. What can you see on a 1:1 scale car from fifteen feet away?

I'm a firm believer in the adage if you can't see it, the model doesn't need it. For example, there are no pedals of any kind in 90% of my models. (I can hear all the purists gasping in horror right now) But looking at a typical closed car, coupe or sedan, you can't see down in there, so if the model has separate pedals they stay on the sprue. I spend my time on more important things like what Dave said above; proportions, colors, appropriate finish (This is mostly missed on race cars), stance, and believability.

[whale392]

To those who responded, I really do appreciate your honesty and perspective. As what I do for a living calls for a high level of attention to detail, so goes my hobbies. I do obsess terribly over the small stuff, even for my 'hobby', and I believe that is what is my major downfall. I will have to learn to dial that back some. Thank you all for your thoughts.

Mike; you know me too well my friend. I have some snappers that are curbside and I even obsess over the little things on those! I just need to FINISH something without thinking about it too deeply!

[Greg Cullinan]

The old adage applies to me.. Don't sweat the details,get it done .

Then again I don't have the experience that would justify doing much else.