Detailing & Why

[MoparWoman Jamie]

Okay, while I was working on a project thing evening. I got to thinking about why we all sometimes like to go that extra mile at times with a little more detail on some projects when we build our projects. So my question or ceriousty is this, why do some of us when detailing a project go that extra detail step for?

For me, when I do a build, it depends on what I'm building.. at times I like to push myself on my building skills and just go for it then after that home in the skill a little better. I also at times just like to see what I can do on detailing is all. But the thing that I like to do or try to do is make the project be realistic as I possibly can LOL.

[Harry P.]

For me it's very simple. I build a model to look as much like the real thing as possible.

[Longbox55]

I'm somewhat the same way, it depends on what the build is. Sometimes, I just want to do a quick easy build, no frills at all. Other time, especially if it's a build of a specific subject or even simply a subject I realy like, I'll go all out.

[Foxer]

I've always been a fanatic for realism to the point that it causes me to rarely finish a project. But, that doesn't make me sad because I care more about working out how I can make a part more realistic than finishing the project as a whole. This is just me as the same dedication to realism affected me when I was creating 3D scenes and had the same trouble finishing those!

[JunkPile]

Trying new techniques keeps the boredom at bay.

[Shardik]

I'm with Harry on this one. What I enjoy about modeling is creating a convincing representation of a real object, or making an imagined object seem real. Thus, like Mike, I often take forever to finish a project. But, as each part becomes a model in itself, this doesn't diminish my enjoyment at all; the contrary in fact. As an example, I just spent three hours making a winch for a project I've been working on since March...but the winch is finished, and up close it looks like the real deal (if I may say so myself). This is immensely satisfying.

[Scott Colmer]

I like making things.

[Guest]

I'm with Harry. I just do not have time anymore, if I want to get ANY builds done to add all the wiring and detail I would like to add.

[Danno]

I'm with Harry on this one. What I enjoy about modeling is creating a convincing representation of a real object, or making an imagined object seem real. Thus, like Mike, I often take forever to finish a project. But, as each part becomes a model in itself, this doesn't diminish my enjoyment at all; the contrary in fact. As an example, I just spent three hours making a winch for a project I've been working on since March...but the winch is finished, and up close it looks like the real deal (if I may say so myself). This is immensely satisfying.

Johann,

My position parallels yours and Harry's. I couldn't express it any better than you have.

Hope you're staying safe and dry.

[Lunajammer]

It just happens. I start every build telling myself to make it quick and not get so caught up in details. While building, that little voice says, "Heck, it won't take that much more time or effort to go that extra step on this one part..." then that part, then another part and before you know it, it gets put away because it's gotten too involved. I can't help it. It's not for some higher aspiration or self improvement, it just happens.

Edited September 17, 2013 by Lunajammer

[Ramfins59]

It just happens. I start every build telling myself to make it quick and not get so caught up in details. While building, that little voice says, "Heck, it won't take that much more time or effort to go that extra step on this one part..." then that part, then another part and before you know it, it gets put away because it's gotten too involved. I can't help it. It's not for some higher aspiration or self improvement, it just happens.

That's how I find it to be also. I'll add that little extra detail to one part or portion of a model and then it just mushrooms! Like eating potato chips... you're not satisfied with just one.

[my80malibu]

Adding extra details is a good way to challenge yourself during your build

[Tom Geiger]

It just happens. I start every build telling myself to make it quick and not get so caught up in details. While building, that little voice says, "Heck, it won't take that much more time or effort to go that extra step on this one part..."

Yes! I start out with noble intentions of doing a quick easy build for the shelf. Next thing you know, I'm creating details that nobody but me will notice. Yea, I could just plow on with the simple thing, but every time I looked at the finished model, I'd see the missing details. So that's why I'm making seven tiny seat belts for my Dodge Caravan build!

[blunc]

I like to have detailed models, mainly because I'm in the same group as Harry and the other "realistic" model builders (though surrealistic modeling is a great outlet and many levels of detail can be added to fanciful models...much respects to Ira and his out-of-this-world creations) and I like to have functional details where possible given the particular scale of the subject. However, I'm picky with regard to all aspects of the detailing need to be in proper "realistic" proportion to the rest of the build.

regarding other builders detailing.... if I take the time to mention that a detail that has been performed on a build is incorrect or incomplete, it's not that I'm trying to disparage(or cut down) a build...I'm making an attempt to educate just in case the builder doesn't know what has been missed. Like a few other builders here, I have real-world experience with cars, but I'm not expert on everything so I tip my hat to the ones that have more experience than I and will gladly receive education from those that know more than I do.

Edited September 18, 2013 by blunc

[Ace-Garageguy]

I like to have detailed models, mainly because I'm in the same group as Harry and the other "realistic" model builders (though surrealistic modeling is a great outlet and many levels of detail can be added to fanciful models...much respects to Ira and his out-of-this-world creations) and I like to have functional details where possible given the particular scale of the subject. However, I'm picky with regard to all aspects of the detailing need to be in proper "realistic" proportion to the rest of the build.

regarding other builders detailing.... if I take the time to mention that a detail that has been performed on a build is incorrect or incomplete, it's not that I'm trying to disparage(or cut down) a build...I'm making an attempt to educate just in case the builder doesn't know what has been missed. Like a few other builders here, I have real-world experience with cars, but I'm not expert on everything so I tip my hat to the ones that have more experience than I and will gladly receive education from those that know more than I do.

X-actly.

[johnbuzzed]

I'll go nuts adding detail to a model which I intend to enter in contests. I'll start with a kit and an idea, make basic notes that turn into copious notes and it goes from there. I counted over 160 parts that I added to my '67 Charger; some fabricated, some from my parts box and some aftermarket. Then, there's foil, flock and decals. I am very happy with the end product but I can get this stupid "This model will be better than the last" thing in my head, so that just adds to the situation for the next build.

I am trying to keep the part counts for my '68 Road Runner and '34 Ford pickup projects to a minimum but it ain't easy. I need to remember to get back to my roots and build some models for my shelves, just for fun. It's amazing how much detail can be added to a box-stock kit with paints, Sharpies and pencils. Maybe a little flock and foil, too. It wouldn't be the first time, and though they were not built for contests, even some of those have done well at contests.

[raildogg]

I model by the motto, "don't detail what you can't see". When I was a active model railroader it was the club mantra. Too many rivet counters already!

[Tom Geiger]

I stopped building for contests a long time ago. I pretty much build for the voices in my head today, and for the few strange guys I call my friends. I add details to models basically for the sense of accomplishment (Can I do it?). Things do snowball and I often surprise myself.

I originally was working on this van camper as a quick project and intended on blacking out the windows. I wasn't going to do an interior at all. Then I decided to just do something basic.. and it got out of hand from there. Everything in the picture is scratch built. Each step of the way it was "Can I do that?" so I decided to see if I could. And I'm very pleased with the results. Is it contest quality? Well, it wound up in Model Cars Magazine coverage of NNL East. Overall I'm happy with the results, enjoyed building it and feel that the model improved my skills. And that's what it's all about.

[High octane]

Some models I detail, and some I don't. I build for fun and not as a career.

[Harry P.]

I build for fun and not as a career.

But to a lot of modelers, detailing IS the fun part. Everyone is different. Some people don't detail anything and if that's their thing, good for them. But to imply that people who do add a lot of detail are somehow doing it "wrong" doesn't work.

[johnbuzzed]

Some models I detail, and some I don't. I build for fun and not as a career.

Adding any additional details does not determine a career as a model builder. Perhaps you're referring to the extra time involved in adding details over a box stock build?

[Neil Bass]

I don't usually plan to do any extra detailing; I just find that things are missing or look toy-like in the kit and there I go, scrounging around for something to make it look better (I hope!). Also, I just get ideas about how old the car is, or how many miles it's been driven so I add weathering and decals to personalize it.

[Erik Smith]

I usually don't go crazy with detail - first and foremost for me is clean construction. I have no problem with levels of detail - to each his or her own.

I do like to add or change small, obscure items that modelers may notice (if they are familiar with the kit or real deal), but "outsiders" have no idea...

I also like the concept of looking more detailed - either with careful painting or just indicators of thing that may or may not be completely detailed, if that makes sense.

[blunc]

I think this dead horse has been beaten before, there will be a few responses that don't add detail, some that only build for fun (your version of "fun" may vary), some that build for contests and some that don't. Nothing will have changed with the exception that a new forum member may chime in or be scared off by the fractious nature of this topic.

I'm gonna go see what kennb has whipped up now...

[Art Anderson]

But to a lot of modelers, detailing IS the fun part. Everyone is different. Some people don't detail anything and if that's their thing, good for them. But to imply that people who do add a lot of detail are somehow doing it "wrong" doesn't work.

I don't always add details (so-called "superdetailing") to a build, but sometimes it's fun to do it "because it's there" on the real vehicle. Sometimes, it's a challenge to find that reference pic showing something that I've always thought of doing, perhaps something I've never seen anyone else do before.

One of the beauties of having been primarily a model car builder over these past 60-plus years is that in our area of model-building, there's always been room for just about any level of building/detailing, with no real animosity or denigration toward those who do or those who do not. In short, it's pretty much a matter of "different strokes for different folks"--almost like real democracy it seems to me.

A neat thing about this model car building hobby of ours is that over time, we've become pretty willing to allow, even acknowledge all levels of model buiolding. For example, back about 30 years ago or so, I was intrigued by the concept of "curbside" models--models of cars built to look like what we see going down the street, parked at the supermarket (after all, when one thinks about it, we don't often see cars on the street with their hoods raised, all doors and the trunk lid opened up). This one came about during the time that JoHan was repopping older models as "retro promo's", with no opening hoods, bare-minimum detailed undercarriages, and certainly no engines under the hood. That made the builder concentrate on paintwork, foiling the chrome, finishing and detailing the interior (bearing in mind that all that work could only be viewed by looking in through the windows).

The concept of models built "out of the box" seems to have come from IPMS/USA at about the same time as car modelers discovered "curbside". This seems to have been introduced by their modelers as a way of encouraging newer or younger builders to stretch such skills as they had without the pressure to add that last bit of rigging, brake lines, cockpit seatbelts/safety harnesses--the builds strictly limited to just the parts supplied in the box, the model built exactly according to the instruction sheet, with only paint, finishing and decal markings being allowed to come from other sources. This category spread very quickly to our rather independent-minded part of the hobby, and soon became one of the most competitive areas of model building with often seemingly "razor thin" margins separating the winner from 2nd place.

Hopefully, this model car building hobby of ours will keep on being as "accepting" as it has evolved over the past 50-plus years--room for all styles, space gladly made for all levels of model building (and that includes all levels of adding extra details). In the meantime, it seems to me that for the superdetailing fanatic, a real challenge could well be building that model curbside or "OOB"; experiencing the strict limitations of those types of builds. At the same time, I would hope that newer, less-experienced builders, and certainly those of us who've never quite gotten up the courage to try their hand at adding super-detailing to a build to give that a try as well. Each level of construction can be a challenge, and who knows? Somebody might just learn something new in the process (and that can't be all bad, can it?).

Art