Building Models: Are they Good for you?
As someone who enjoys building models, I get questions on why I do it. Are building models good for us? For me, as an introvert, it is a great way to have some time alone to think and to enjoy building something I’m proud of. But what are all the reasons why people make models? I know that there are numerous reasons people build a model, so I decided to write this blog post to give you some insights into why we build models.
Building Models are good for you because it helps build your creativity by learning how to plan, paint, detail, and take photos. Furthermore, it is a great way to spend some time alone and cope up with stress. Lastly, it is a great way to give you a sense of pride and accomplishment after finishing the model you’re building.
Here, we are going to learn some of the benefits you’ll get from building models. If you’re a parent, you will also find that these benefits could help your children build specific skill sets. Rather than allowing them to be on their mobile phones for a whole day continuously, you can also give them some models to build.
Are Building Models Good For You?
Building model cars is a fantastic hobby that many people are very enthusiastic about.
Look no further than building your model if you’re looking for a fun hobby that will help you grow in various ways.
1. Building Model Helps in Developing Skills
Concentration, research, and attention to detail are required at all stages of building a scale model car.
Thus, through time, you’re going to build these skills through practice.
Some model kits come with detailed instructions you need to follow thoroughly to build your model.
No matter what size or type of model you select, there are several stages that you must finish to complete the project or model.
These include researching the history and appearance of your model, building it, painting it, and, in some cases, weathering or applying decals.
As it is apparent, each of these stages necessitates a different level of discipline and skill.
The skills you develop range from researching and planning to cutting, drilling, sculpting, sanding, gluing, painting, detailing, and photography.
I made a guide on how to do model photography on my other blog post. If you want to show your finished model to your friends or diecast groups, you can use my guide to help you take good photos, plus a simple editing guide to making your photos look cinematic. You may find the article here: How to take pictures of your model car.
However, the joy of making scale models is that you can become multi-skilled as you build and learn from each project.
2. Building Model Helps in Stress Management
Because of the concentration required to build a model car, it is an excellent hobby for stress management.
For the majority of us, stress is an inevitable part of our daily lives.
Our hobbies and interests, such as watching our favorite sports or movies, meeting up with friends for a drink or dinner, or going for a walk in the early hours of the morning, provide an outlet for that stress.
If you’re an introvert like me or prefer a quieter environment or some me-time, scale modeling is the perfect hobby for you.
A few hours spent piecing together or painting your model can clear your mind of the world’s problems and leave you calmer than when you started.
3. Building Models Gives a Sense of Accomplishment
Part builds allow you to break down a potentially large and long-term project into bite-sized pieces.
The advantage of building models is that you can make rapid progress in a short time without becoming bogged down or overwhelmed by the enormous scope of your build.
As you complete your model, you will feel a strong sense of personal accomplishment, and with each new scale model, you will see a gradual improvement in all areas.
4. Building Models Can Make You Feel Proud of Your Work
Personal trophies always come to you with a sense of accomplishment and something to brag about your achievements.
A well-built and aptly finished scale model offers the same level of self-esteem and achievement, and the number of trophies you can reward yourself with is only limited by your time, money, and commitment.
5. Building Models Gives Us An Opportunity To Be Artistic
You may not be a talented illustrator, painter, writer, or musician, yet scale models allow you to create your form of art.
Sure, there is an engineered, by-the-numbers component to the entire construction process, but there is plenty of room for personal flair at every step.
Instructions are only there to serve as a guide, and once you’ve mastered how to put together a model, you can add your personal touch in any way you see fit.
What would be the best reason to build a model?
But, what is the best reason to build a model?
The best reason to build a model is that building models offer a good way to build our patience and creative skills. In our world where everything seems to offer us instant rewards, model building helps us build patience which is important to build our discipline and character.
In an age when technology appears to be taking over, scale modeling provides a hands-on way to spend quality time with your kids or by yourself while working on a common interest.
As previously stated, developing multi-skills is an integral part of model building, increasing self-esteem, patience, concentration, and perseverance.
By collaborating with your children throughout the construction process, you instill the value of teamwork while also strengthening your relationship.
Besides, if you’re looking for the best hobby for your children, look no further.
This also applies if you just want to build your model or try a new hobby.
Here are the best reasons to build a model:
1. Building Models Encourages creativity
Kids can be super innovative, but they sometimes need something specific to focus on to let their imagination fly.
Scale models allow them to express their personalities in various ways, such as how they assemble it, paint it, or add extra details to the finished model to make it unique.
You can encourage them to express their creativity and flair by guiding them through the construction process.
2. Model Building Develops Fine Motor and Problem-solving Skill.
Your children can learn countless assembly techniques while building a scale model, whether it’s a WWII warplane, a 17th-century ship, an RC car, or the Millennium Falcon.
Each new technique aids in the development of their hand-eye coordination and agility, which is essential for other early learning areas such as handwriting.
Moreover, there are so many different pieces and stages in a given construction project. There are ongoing opportunities for you and them to problem solve.
What piece should go here? What colors should I use to match the originals?
By teaching basic problem-solving skills at a young age, you prepare them to be excellent critical thinkers in the future.
3. Model Building makes a Fun Educational Experience
The best part of scale models is that they are exact replicas of real objects or vehicles with rich histories to tell.
When you build scale models with your child, you can teach them about what makes their favorite car or ship unique, as well as introduce them to fascinating stories and facts they might not have known otherwise.
And the more they learn about the model and where it came from, the more encouraged they will be to create their version that is as authentic and detailed as possible.
Building models is one of the best hobbies, with widespread appeal and accessibility for adults and children.
By building models with your children at a young age, you not only help them learn skills and attributes that will benefit them later in life, but you also get to spend meaningful time with them, creating memories for a lifetime.
Remember that these benefits do not only apply to children but also collectors or aspiring collectors.
What’s next? If you’re an aspiring collector, it is essential to understand that some models increase their price over time due to demand. For example, one of the rarest Hot Wheels has a book value of $175,000. Here is a guide on what to look for when buying: What should I look for when buying Hot Wheels
“Only the things I love”
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So, here are the things I love when taking care of my Diecast Models.
Cleaning the Models
The first we are going to talk about is cleaning the models.
Removing Dust
- Air Brush – For me, this is the best since it not just removes dust but you can use it in painting/clear coating.
- Air Duster – This is a good alternative to Airbrush
- Normal Brush – If you are short on budget, you can use a normal brush. However, make sure that the brush has soft bristles because there are some hard brushes than can cause scratches. That’s why I recommended a good brush that can do the job properly.
Cleaning and Shining Hacks
Well, here are some of my cleaning hacks for removing scratches, oxidation, and so much more.
- Removing Decal Adhesive – Use Goo Gone on those hard-to-remove decal adhesives. It works fast and works like charm!
- Waxing and Polishing – Here is something a lot of people don’t know. Waxing protects the clear coat and paint while polishing shines the model. Instead of buying it separately, use a 2 in 1 to save money. Get this instead.
- Beginner Wax – The wax I recommended earlier is good and provides the best results based on my experience. But a beginner might have a problem especially if they’re not good at applying wax. Solid wax reaching hard to reach surface can be hard to remove. You have two choices here. One is to use a qtips to reach those surfaces, another is to use a liquid wax I recommended.
- Cleaning Wheels, Rubber, Plastic – Do not forget that rubber and plastic surface are quite different, especially in the cleaning process. Just wiping it down won’t do the job. That’s why I use Meguiar’s Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner and Conditioner. Works like charm!
- Make the Wheels Shine! – Making our models look good won’t be complete without tiny details such as shiny wheels! Do not forget this because however small this is, the difference can be as big as night and day.
- Remove Scratches Easily – Tiny scratches are not the end for your model. Here is a simple trick I’ve been using to make my models look scratch-free even without repainting. Use T-Cut.
Painting the Models
Painting Tools
Make sure when you paint models, have these ready.
- Tape – A tape is important if you are painting a straight line. Furthermore, it will prevent your paint to scatter on other parts. I recommend Tamiya Tape since it is really made for models. Furthermore, they stick really well preventing paint splatters.
- Brush (Beginner) – Find a good set of brushes to paint your models. Of course, you can opt for an airbrush but it’s quite expensive.
- Airbrush (Intermediate/Expert) – This will yield a significantly better result than an ordinary brush because you can easily spray the paint evenly. I recommend this if you know what you’re doing.
- Stand(Optional) – Stands are good because it can be hard to manually hold the models while painting. It is optional but in my opinion, the price is well worth it for the comfort it gives.
- Drop Cloths – Drop Cloths will protect your surroundings from the paint.
- Primer – The most common beginner mistake I see is painting models without any Primer. A primer will prevent imperfections such as bubbles or paint not sticking to your models. It is a small price to pay for quality results.
- Clear Coat – A clear coat will protect the paint of your models. This will make the paint last longer. Also, it is the one responsible for making your models shine.
Paints
Of course, you can’t do painting properly without paint. So here are the ones I recommend.
- Acrylic Paint – Good for beginners because it dries quickly. However, it doesn’t produce results as good as enamel paint.
- Enamel Paint – Provides a good quality finish and longer-lasting paint. However, it takes longer to dry and requires expertise to use.
Model Maintenance
Model Storage
- Simple Wood Cabinet – While it doesn’t let you display your models, wooden cabinets are good storage for these models. For one, they are not heat conductors which means that the temperature inside will remain constant and remain cool. Furthermore, they prevent light from reaching the models which can cause oxidation.
- Clear Cabinet with Lock – If you want to display your models, then I recommend this. It closes so dust won’t easily get to your models. I also recommend you don’t put more than 1 model in each compartment since metals are good conductors of heat.
Model Photography
So you want to show off your models to others? Well, I got you covered.
Here is my beginner-friendly model photography tutorial that teaches everything from taking pictures to the editing process.
You will also see me doing hands-on photography in that tutorial.
Here is the link: How to Take Pictures of a Diecast Model or Model Kit | Helpful Illustrated and Video Guide
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