How many of you guys have experienced this, I am at the “fear” point of my current model. I am working on a 1/144 jetBlue Airbus A320. Everything is done and complete except the windows and the blue paint job on the bottom of the aircraft. Up until now the model is nearly flawless and probably good enough for the next model show. But this last paint of the bottom of the aircraft has me building “scared” there is so much that can go wrong with this finals step to hurt the model. I basically have to paint a perfectly symmetric oval shape of gloss blue on the underside of the plane, I need a perfect tape job that hopefully wont bleed, and wont lift up the white paint that is already there.
I know whereof you speak. It seems that at any point in building, something can go wrong to ruin all one’s previous efforts–and that includes during the very final step.
It is anxiety-provoking.
Have gone through this many times. My solution is to take a break, get a cup of coffee (decaf), study the model and then take a deep breath and work through it slowly. Had one go wrong a few weeks ago. Painted the camo on a Spitfire then had to add the landing gear and it was done. Mounted the gear and set it aside to cure. Came back a few hours later and the top seam from the pit to the tail had opened up. Can’t figure why. It looked so good too.
Jim [cptn]
All projects have a moment of truth,nothing to to but prepare,research,understand the procedure,and plunge in and get it done or mess it up.
Nothing scary to me. Just a hobby that relaxes me and takes any worries or concerns away. Sometimes things don’t come out as you planned and one needs to step back, take a break or just come back fresh the next day,
Yes, that happens, especially if you have a lot of time invested in a model. On the other hand, “we have nothing to fear but fear itself”, so just go ahead and try to finish that model!
It happened to me the first time I tried a big technique like salt weathering. I was worried I was going to spoil the whole finish and held my breath through the whole experience. Fortunately, it worked out the first time…but…I botched my second attempt. Yup, I know what youre saying...sometimes its a worry to take on something radical or new, but, as plasticjunkie said, take your time, take a break and get on with it.
I bought a lot of 9 models for cheap on Ebay for the express purpose of trying new techniques I read about. Some techniques worked, and others did,nt. The ones i ruined went into the spares box . I only lost some hours, and very little $ but gained a ton of experience to use on the “good” models I’m intending to build. So my modeling with fear is greatly lessend when it comes to my showcase stuff.
Modeling with fear? Naw, she pretty much leaves me alone.
Lol, lol, lol. Didn’t know you knew my wife.
Jim [cptn]
Jim, we have to stick together! My wife is really a great supporter of me having this hobby and rarely, if ever, complains at what I buy. I could not resist that one though.
Same here. Mine is great too. One year she got me a mini lathe for Xmas. Didn’t know that one was coming. She only complains (a little) when I buy more than I build. I’ve been lucky at the contest raffles over the past few years and haven’t had to buy any, but the stash keeps growing. I’m good for about the next 200 years, give or take a few. [;)]
Jim [cptn]
I’m glad we have wives that support our hobby. My son is moving out in June and my wife suggested for me to move my mancave to his bigger bedroom. 
That means more display space!! 
Congratulations! That’s how I got my “Hobby Room”. When the last son moved out to college, my wife gave me the OK to move from the cold, damp basement to his room. Been there ever since.
Jim [cptn]
Sometimes, I just avoid the “fear points” by improvising. For example, I built a DC-10 United airliner that came out beautify, but l could not figure out how to neatly paint the underside of the fuselage silver, separating the area from the white above, below the curved thin red decal stripe. So I just didn’t, I left the area white, and it looks great, and no one knows the difference!
I don’t worry about the model kit or the paint. Both of those can be replaced if I mess something up, and all the parts that go on after the decals and gloss coats can still be useful in the spares box.
I do get just a bit nervous about the first few decals, though. Should I have coated the decal sheet, instead of deciding that the decals were new enough? Will the coating that I put on that old sheet really be okay, or will it still shatter? Heck, for some sheets, it is a question if the decals will come off the backing paper or not. Plastic I can replace, paint I can get more of,but, decals can be very hard to find and replace. I still have a small list of decals that would make things easier for me, but, they were in kits that went OOP a long time ago, so I probably won’t find them. If I do, I know I will only get one good chance to use them, without any chance of finding a second set.
But, there is nothing to do for it except to charge ahead and see what comes out of the effort. I am not building in numerical order anyway, and probably won’t finish the set in my lifetime.
Rex
Tip: Make a scan of the decal sheet before you use any. That way, if something goes wrong, you can always print a new sheet on decal paper.
Have you ever tried making a copy of decals as you get the kits so you could make your own in case of accidents (or get someone else to make them for you)? I’ve had other club members make copies of decals they had and print them up for me. Could save you a lot of time and trouble. If you use the barter system, could save you a little money too.
Jim [cptn]
Yeah, nowadays there are more and more decal printing companies. Two months ago I was decalling an aircraft and I messed up like three markings - the rest went on with no problems. I reconstructed those decals in CorelDraw and had the missing markings next weekend. A lot easier than I thought.
Good luck with your projects!
Paweł
Sorry Cadet Chuck, didn’t mean to copy your tip. I guess I was writing mine as you wrote yours and you beat me to the mouse click.
Jim [cptn]