"I thought that I would let you paint them and put them together for me..."

[DynoMight]

  On 7/19/2014 at 5:37 PM, Lownslow said:

I built a FC rx7 model for my brother for his Bday i went out of my way opened trunk, tons of ACCs, one off wheels. when he got the car my relatives saw it and thought if i could build them one for 20$, I started laughing and told them i had about 150$ into it, Their reply, im a rip off and they can get it at walmart for less.i have yet to see them present me a car thats better than my little brothers.

Do you happen to have any pictures of that car? It sounds awesome.

I have only built a kit for my grandmother, which was a replica of her convert 66 Covair, in bright yellow. I think she still had until she died (the kit that is, she got rid on the Covair after my other uncle wrecked it and re-painted it with house paint ), then I think my uncle tossed in when cleaning the house out, not sure. It was a pretty good kit on my end.. I built it when I was 7 or 8 and it came out really good. I think my dad painted the car, probably because I was too young to spray paint it, haha.. Wish I still had it...

Edited July 19, 2014 by DynoMight

[DrGlueblob]

Years back, I got into building aircraft models for museums. RARELY would the curators even offer to cover my build expenses, let alone the cost of the kit or my time. Once, I was talked into "donating" a huge architectural model scratched in 1/144th scale. I did, nievely.. An architect friend valued it at over $10,000.00..

Yeah, seeing your stuff in a museum is neat, but work the details out beforehand.

[Ace-Garageguy]

It's a simple fact that people who don't make things, and make things WELL, have zero understanding of what it takes to do highly-skilled and intricate work (like model building, for instance).

If you have the patience, try to enlighten the un-initiated into some of what we do. If you don't, just smile and walk away when someone "offers to let you build something for them".

Edited July 19, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[Deathgoblin]

I've only built one model for someone. I built up a '71 Charger base model for my brother to look like the one he had. Since it was a surprise, I didn't have to worry about matching anything too exactly and did everything from memory. He was tickled to death when he saw it and it has a place of honor in his house. But generally, I don't do anything but just for my own happiness. I have replicated two of my own cars, however.

[Lunajammer]

Maybe just thank him for letting you build his models for him. Then maybe offer a trade of services where you will let him shovel your driveway, sidewalks and mow your lawn.

[Ramfins59]

I've built several models for people but only charged someone for building one of them.

I built a '67 Vette convertible for my son-in-law as a birthday present.

" " " '65 Rambler American as a replica of an old High School friend's 1:1 car -- no charge, but he supplied the model and the paint.

" " " '57 Ford Station Wagon from a diecast Sedan Delivery for another good, old friend's first car -- no charge, but he paid for the model, assorted parts and postage.

" " " '67 Caddy as a surprise gift for my younger brother to replicate the car that he once owned.

" " " '56 Ford Fairlane as a dead nuts replica of a guy's car who I knew from Cruise Nights. I replicated his car right down to the pine tree air freshener hanging from the radio knob. He paid me $200 for it.

[Longbox55]

  On 7/19/2014 at 7:18 PM, Ace-Garageguy said:

It's a simple fact that people who don't make things, and make things WELL, have zero understanding of what it takes to do highly-skilled and intricate work (like model building, for instance).

Same applies to the repair business, folks not in the business simply do not realize what is involved not only skillwise, but the costs of materials and equipment to do the job, and as you say, do it well.

[Pete J.]

  On 7/19/2014 at 4:01 PM, plowboy said:

If he mentions it again, just say, "I get $10 per hour for building a model and I usually spend 30-40 hours on a build. More if there's detail involved. Just let me know when you want to do it." I doubt if he will want to "let" you build them for him then.

$10 and hour?? Man are you cheap. That is barely minimum wage for a skilled job. When I do a custom job I consider two things. First is do I want to build it? That is a big factor. I don't keep a lot of my builds and don't have a display case. For me the fun is in the build. If I decide it is something I could enjoy, then I figure cost. Some times it costs a lot, some times not so much but $10 an hour? Never, that is just way to cheap!

[Joe Handley]

  On 7/19/2014 at 7:18 PM, Ace-Garageguy said:

It's a simple fact that people who don't make things, and make things WELL, have zero understanding of what it takes to do highly-skilled and intricate work (like model building, for instance).

If you have the patience, try to enlighten the un-initiated into some of what we do. If you don't, just smile and walk away when someone "offers to let you build something for them".

Sadly, that even dead on for something like Lexan R/C car bodies.

I painted this body up to sell after I found it wasn't really going to work like I wanted for something else. I had a customer who does plastic models say he wanted to try the now defunct Pactra R/C Candy Purple over their 2 Stage Galactic Purple on a customized car or show rod model at some point, so I gave it a shot with that '49-'53 Chevy Truck body. I bought everything with my employee discount which amounted to around $45 or so and was asking $60 for it, which was a out what the body and paint cost at full retail plus a few bucks. I actually had several people tell me I was asking too much and that they could do it for less, even though they had never shot a body before and didn't have the tools made for cutting those bodys out either.

[mikemodeler]

I have built a few models for friends as an exercise to hone my skills and do something nice for them but would never want to build a kit for money as I think that would take the fun out of it.

It's funny that people who are not involved in a hobby or industry think those of us who are should be happy to do something for free or next to nothing. I work in the auto parts business and many times get asked about cars and what could be wrong with them. I also get the "can you use your discount" to buy the parts cheaper question and my answer is "No, they only allow me to buy parts for my own cars and they have that information on file".

The best was about 12 years ago when I was able to buy parts for others at a discount. My wife's cousin not only thought she could pay me when she had the money, she thought my price included installation! LOL! Imagine her surprise when I asked for the money upfront and her reply was "We're family, don't you trust me?" That was the last time I did anyone any favors, told them all they shut the service down due to abuse and yet none of them thought they might be the cause of it!

[uncle potts]

I had a co-worker ask me to build a replica of a car he once had. He'd buy the kit and paint, and give me $20.00 to build it. I told him that I don't have enough time for my own builds, and that it would take more than $20 bucks to cover my time. He suddenly was no longer interested, and thought I took too long to build a model. He could do one in a weekend, why couldn't I?

[Tom Geiger]

  On 7/19/2014 at 8:52 PM, Longbox55 said:

Same applies to the repair business, folks not in the business simply do not realize what is involved not only skillwise, but the costs of materials and equipment to do the job, and as you say, do it well.

Yup, back when my family owned the service station, relatives actually thought they could get their cars repaired for free... parts and all!

[Rob Hall]

  On 7/20/2014 at 2:58 AM, Tom Geiger said:

Yup, back when my family owned the service station, relatives actually thought they could get their cars repaired for free... parts and all!

I've had relatives and non-techie friends ask me if I could set up a PC for them, install software (without paying for licenses, of course), provide general tech support, etc...when I tell them my 'friends and family' bill rate is $75/hr that shuts them up..

[slusher]

  On 7/19/2014 at 3:04 PM, Harry P. said:

It's completely understandable that someone not familiar with building models wouldn't realize the time and effort that goes into it. Just like any of us who are unfamiliar with what someone else does, either as a job or as a hobby. I'm sure most people would look at a piece of furniture that a woodworker designed and built in his shop and have no clue as to how much time, effort, skill, and money were invested in that piece of furniture. If they've never built a piece of furniture, how could they know?

All you have to do is tell your buddy that you're flattered, but you can't possibly take the time to build ten of them... let alone for free, given that it takes X amount of $$$ and X amount of hours of work per kit.

I'm sure that once you point out what it takes to build a model, both time and $$$ wise, he'd understand.

Good way to look at it. I am sure they thinks its fairly simple..

[Jeff Johnston]

I've built many models for my friends and family for free. I finish maybe 4-5 models per year and at least one I give away. I have also built a few for commission for people who ask, and who I do not not know. I'd never charge a good friend or family member. I might ask them to buy the kit, assuming I don't already have it.

Edited July 20, 2014 by Jeff Johnston

[Shardik]

My daughter, being an artist, gets a lot of offers for opportunities to "gain experience" by doing artwork for free. She tells them that since she's been doing this since she was five years old (and I can attest to that), she feels she has enough experience and would prefer money.

[Pete J.]

One story about building a model for a friend. He owned a 69 GTO judge Ram Air IV when he was young. I built him a model and really put my best effort into it. He thought it was very impressive, but about every couple of years or so he would bring it over and ask me to fix it because some how it got broken. After the third time, it was apparent that he didn't really think as much of it as I did. It has now been sitting on my bench for 10 years waiting for repair. "Yea, I'll get to it one of these days"

[Guest]

  On 7/19/2014 at 8:59 PM, Pete J. said:

$10 and hour?? Man are you cheap. That is barely minimum wage for a skilled job. When I do a custom job I consider two things. First is do I want to build it? That is a big factor. I don't keep a lot of my builds and don't have a display case. For me the fun is in the build. If I decide it is something I could enjoy, then I figure cost. Some times it costs a lot, some times not so much but $10 an hour? Never, that is just way to cheap!

True. But, I would build one for that for someone I knew. Even then, it would add up quickly. Still, there are people that if you charged them a dollar an hour would think you were ripping them off.

[johnbuzzed]

A "guy I know"? I would politely inform that guy that he would have to supply the kits and paints, interior and exterior, and charge him a flat fee for a basic, box-stock build. Anything extra would be... extra $$$. Personally, I don't offer my building services to anyone for $$$. This is a hobby and not an occupation; I don't want it to turn into "work" with obligations to anyone but myself to enter a contest. If I decide to give a model as a gift, then it's a gift to a good friend or relative for a good reason.

[disabled modeler]

I have built a few before for friends on the one special car or truck in their life that meant a lot to them...they supplied the kit and supplies...I just did it to help out best I could but normally just build for myself its easier to make myself happy than others at times even though they were very happy with the ones I did.

[Steven Zimmerman]

Some 40 years ago, when I was doing airbrush work, I had a collection of paintings on display at a local charter school. One lady told me since my talent was a God given gift, I had no business charging ANYTHING, and should just give them away. ....My reply was short, and was profane.......'Z'

[Brizio]

For what I saw, mostly of the people that want a replica of their car, they look to have a model that has the same paint of their car, but could be little off in some details, like different wheels etc. I remember a guy show me his 1/1 cars and in the garage there was some model cars too, so I ask him about. He told me that he collect only model cars that represent replica of his 1/1 cars. He had a few die cast too. He picked up a model ( I think a Chevy from the 50's) and told me that this was his first 1/1 car, but his 1/1 car was white and blue, and had blue interior, the model was white and yellow, with yellow interior.

If he is your friend, you can build them for free, the only things you can ask is to pay for paint, primer, and tell him that up front.

I personally built a few models (for free) for friends, relatives, of their "dream" car, or replica of their 1/1 car, and I was very happy to build them a model. Few years ago I built a copy of my Hemster for a "special kid", and his uncle enter it to a model club meeting, where he belong and where you vote for the model of the month. He enter it with his name. Since then I stop build model for friend.

Here the Hemster (right) and the Copy (left).

The big difference is that the Hemster has written on the side Hemster, the Copy HEMI, the Hemster has custom license plate, the Copy the one that came with the kit, the Hemster has antenna, the Copy not. The Hemster has more details also under the hood, that the Copy doesn't have.

[johnbuzzed]

I think that part of the problem is that most of the general, non-model-building public don't, can't or won't understand the amount of time, effort, research, etc, that many of us put into even the most basic box-stock build, just to get it to meet our personal standards when it sits on the shelf. I remember going to a 1:1 car show and watching some bozo pick up my '37 Ford ( he owned one, so he felt privileged...) and ask if the cost was about $5.00. Funny thing is, none of the models that any one of us had on display was offered for sale in any way. I wanted to snap off his arm and beat him with it, but I remained quite calm and explained my version of the meaning of life, as it regards model cars, to him, and what value I might assign that model. I got a low-key, stunned "Oh", and he walked away. Probably thought the silly man and his toys model cars was crazy. I might be, but while I might not know the dollar value of what an artist puts into his or her work, I can understand and respect the value of the completed work in the artist's mind.

Edited July 21, 2014 by johnbuzzed

[chepp]

You guys all make valid points and I agree with most of them. However, I think that there is a vast difference between a model that is acceptable to us and what is acceptable to the person who offers to buy a kit, a can of paint and pays you $20. If you want to do it for them and the car was available as a '60s style AMT annual, here's what you do:

Body: Snip the sprue off. Glue the hood on. Wash it in soapy water and set it aside to dry. Later, spray it with one coat of color. No primer, no removal of mold defects, no BMF, no decals, no detail painting, no nothing.

Interior: Snip the sprues off. Don't waste time washing it. Spray the dash, steering wheel, front seats and the bucket with whatever paint you already have that is vaguely close to the desired color. Or flat black, the recipient won't care. Glue them together. Again, no detail painting. Don't even bother glueing in the chrome stick shift.

Chassis and wheels: Snip the sprues off. Don't wash it. Spray the chassis and wheel inners flat black. Press the chrome wheels into the tires and wheels then onto the steel axles. No engine.

Final assembly: Snip the sprues off the chrome bumpers. Put the windows and interior into the body. Place the bumpers in position and screw on the chassis. If the kit came with clear red taillights and you're feeling generous, put some white glue on them and press them in place.

Really, it's a weekend of spare time. The recipient will be thrilled and won't notice what we notice. It will look good from ten feet away sitting on a shelf or perched on the dashboard of their car at a cruise night.

[johnbuzzed]

Better yet, pass those build instructions along to that person who wants the model built. Let him or her build a "replica" of their own vehicle; they can have all the more pride in their ride.