When is a build complete in your eyes?

[Tom Geiger]

There's always one more detail! When I'm coming into the home stretch on a model that I'm enjoying building, I always find an excuse to extend the build.

On my Dodge A100 van, I never intended to put an interior in the back. It was always going to be dark windows and a curtain behind the front seats. Once I got going it was.... hmmm, I could easily add the interior. So I spent a week or so doing that. I am happy I did it but you can hardly see it through the windows.

On my current build, the Volare, the old MPC kit didn't have a lot of detail under the hood. To get it done (it's 20 years old!) I was going to glue the hood shut... and now I've spent a few weeks adding all sorts of plumbing under the hood.

I never learn! But I wouldn't be happy if I didn't follow the voices in my head. And it's almost a let down when I am finished.

Edited December 21, 2014 by Tom Geiger

[cobraman]

When I decide if it goes in a display cabinet or back in the box and in a closet.

[Snake45]

  On 12/21/2014 at 1:11 PM, bbowser said:

If there are any. Mirrors are a glaring omission in many kits.

Yeah, mirrors were almost never included in the kits I grew up on in the '60s. The reissues of those kits still don't have 'em. That, and I built a lot of drag stuff in those days, and drag cars don't usually have them, so I'm quite used to looking at models without them.

If I mirror is an integral part of the body's styling, as on some late-model cars, or the kit includes them with fairly secure mounting, I'll put 'em on. Otherwise, I don't bother, as I know they'll just get broken off and lost, leaving some sort of evidence of their absence.

You know what would be cool? If someone would offer a whole "tree" of various '60s-style mirrors in white metal at reasonable price. If that ever happened, I could be interested.

[sjordan2]

As Leonardo daVinci said, "A painting is never finished, only abandoned."

[bbowser]

  On 12/21/2014 at 3:47 PM, Snake45 said:

Yeah, mirrors were almost never included in the kits I grew up on in the '60s. The reissues of those kits still don't have 'em. That, and I built a lot of drag stuff in those days, and drag cars don't usually have them, so I'm quite used to looking at models without them.

If I mirror is an integral part of the body's styling, as on some late-model cars, or the kit includes them with fairly secure mounting, I'll put 'em on. Otherwise, I don't bother, as I know they'll just get broken off and lost, leaving some sort of evidence of their absence.

You know what would be cool? If someone would offer a whole "tree" of various '60s-style mirrors in white metal at reasonable price. If that ever happened, I could be interested.

That would be very cool. I'm surprised someone hasn't marketed something like that already.

[Tom Geiger]

Mirrors... small parts that benefit from being pinned onto the model. I drill out the kit mounts just enough to fit a small length of straight pin inside. Then I drill the corresponding holes in the model. Sometimes the fit is good enough that they stay in place without glue. Otherwise, I just add the dab of glue on the inside of the body. It does take some effort, but it's worth it since I've never lost a mirror!

I'm fairly sure that Norm Veber makes some nice exterior car mirrors.

Edited December 21, 2014 by Tom Geiger

[Ramfins59]

Modelhaus also sells chromed round and rectangular exterior mirrors. They are pricey because you only get 2 for $5.

[Snake45]

  On 12/21/2014 at 5:55 PM, Ramfins59 said:

Modelhaus also sells chromed round and rectangular exterior mirrors. They are pricey because you only get 2 for $5.

I can remember when I could get two whole kits for $5, and still have change left over for paint and glue.

[Lunajammer]

  On 12/21/2014 at 2:22 AM, Ace-Garageguy said:

That said, I've stopped in the middle of quite a few builds because either my skills weren't up to the vision I had quite yet, i changed the vision as the build progressed, or I found I needed to do a lot more research for one reason on another.

[my80malibu]

When there are no more parts left

[om617]

When i put decals on parts in the enginebay. I dont use numberplates if they arent car related,as in car name,year,engine size etc.

[Belugawrx]

When are there no parts left?

[ERIK88]

funny haha ! ]

When are there no parts left?

[Art Anderson]

  On 12/21/2014 at 2:24 AM, Harry P. said:

It's not complete until the mirrors are installed!

But only if mirrors were a part of the original car, either by factory spec or by government requirements!

Art

[martinfan5]

When its launched across the room at the wall , thats when its done

[Mike_G]

When it wins a trophy.

[jaydar]

When i am through fixing all my mistakes!!!

Joe.

Edited December 25, 2014 by jaydar

[gtx6970]

Once it goes in my case it's pretty much done . whether it's actually 'completely finished ' is another story .

I've had incomplete builds in the case for over 10 years before they came back out and were completely finished.

Actually I think I have 2 or 3 unfinished cars in the case now that were started in the 90's

This is one I started before my oldest daughter was born ( she'll be 18 in April )

Edited December 26, 2014 by gtx6970

[Tom Geiger]

  On 12/26/2014 at 4:52 PM, gtx6970 said:

This is one I started before my oldest daughter was born ( she'll be 18 in April )

I have unfinished models older than my kids too... and mine is 28!

[keyser]

On the upside, the green putty and enamel has a chance to dry!

[Tom Geiger]

  On 12/26/2014 at 5:47 PM, keyser said:

On the upside, the green putty and enamel has a chance to dry!

Even Testors silver and sticky yellow!

[Snake45]

  On 12/26/2014 at 4:54 PM, Tom Geiger said:

I have unfinished models older than my kids too... and mine is 28!

I have an unfinished MPC '69 Firebird I started in 1969. No Trans Am parts because the Trans Am didn't exist yet.

[Mike_G]

I have an AMT 40 Ford I haven't worked on since 1987