This section of course is dedicated to my disertation on why I detail my cars and why I think it is a great thing to do. The first arguement against detailing is that in doing so you lessen the collectible value of the model. It's just like the 1:1 musclecar world, an original or meticulously restored car will usually be more valuable and will more consistently hold its value than a modified car. Surely it's the same for the 1:18 counterparts. Well, yes and no. To the hardcore collector who never removes the models from the box detailing a model would be blasphemy, but I still think detailing can appeal to all collectors. Let me tell you why.
When a model manufacturer tools up a model, a myriad of considerations must be considered not the least of which is how to make a quality product people will buy and to keep the cost of production as low as possible given the product's proposed retail price and production quantities and allowing for an acceptible profit. The object is to pack in as much detail and refinement as possible thus making the item desirable. Taking Ertl as an example I think even a casual collector would be able to spot the impressive improvements made in products from the beginning of the American Muscle line back in 1991 to the more recent offerings. The '70 Mustang model for example has the windshield wipers molded into the diecast metal and the Boss 302 motor is ridiculously out of scale and lacking detail. Compare that with the more recent 1968 Mustang which has chromed plastic wiper arms and a much more accurate body shape casting and nicely detailed engine. My point is that Ertl is making every effort to improve the overall quality and collectibility of their products.
The problem is at the $20-$30 price point no company can add all the detail possible to make the model as closely represent the real thing as possible. To my mind then, when detailing my cars, I am continuing the work of the manufacturer not lessening its value. And to answer the question of damaged collectibility I can only reply with another question: Would you rather own a model which more closely represents the automotive icon it represents or a highly speculative game of collectibles where the model is only interesting with respect to how much it can bring on the market? The whole point of modeling is to approach an exact replica of the real thing as closely as possible. Detailing doesn't damage the value, it improves the appeal of a model.
But don't just take my word for it, here is a quote from another detailing fanatic, Regis:
"I have been building models ever since I was a kid so I'm used to painting models. When I decided to start collecting 1/18 diecasts in the fall of 98, I didn't think I would be detailing them because I figured that the value would go down if modified from the original. But the more I looked at them the more I found a lot of the details missing. So I decided what the heck I'll detail them anyway and I already had all the paint supplies handy from my model painting. At first my detailing was minimal (engine only), [but] now I detail all my diecasts and have a lot of fun doing it. Another part of the fun is to find reference material for my detailing, I do a lot of searching on the net for 1:1 pics."
I guess in the end it all comes down to how and why you collect. I for one collect because I like to play with, look at and just plain enjoy my cars. Returning to my 1:1 analogy, I sure as heck can't understand the guy who spends years and who knows how much money restoring his rare 427-powered 1969 Camaro and then pushes it in and out of his enclosed trailer because he doesn't want the exhaust manfolds to become discolored. Believe me, I've seen this happen and it makes me queasy. I am working on my own highly detailed, accurately restored 1:1 (Rich's 1965 Malibu SS Restoration Project Page) but belive me, this thing was and will again be driven. And yes, I have won and plan to win my share of auto shows. Best of both worlds and all that jazz.
Okay, now that philosphy class it over, it's time to show how much of an impact detailing can have on a model. I have pictured Ertl models in my comparisons because Ertls are probably the most receptive models to my type of detailing. These relatively inexpensive models have trim ridges where the trim belongs and a great deal of the objects that should be on the car are there, they often just need a little chrome or paint to make them come alive. But to be honest, almost any model available has room for improvement and can be further detailed. Personally, from my experience, much of the fun of the process comes from researching the 1:1s to learn what parts should be detailed with which colors. It is quite fun to get such a broad education on musclecar-era cars and a good justification for building an extensive library of books on cars.
Ertl is not alone in in making nicely detailing inexpensive models, but Ertl models do seem to be the most condusive to receiving detailing. The models almost always have cast-in ridges to indicate where the chrome trim begins and ends which is a great help in placing the "chrome" material accurately and crisply. It is clear the manufacturers are making efforts to simulate the trim even if the budget for such items does not allow them to tool up to paint or "chrome" this trim. And by including the expected underhood, undercarriage and interior pieces which can be further detailed with a little paint, they are almost begging someone to complete the task. A little detailing goes a long way.
I have intentionally picked specific models for side-by-side comparisons for Before & After sets not necessarily because these models take so well to the detailers' work, but also because they are some of Ertl's best products. Imagine if you will how similar detailing would affect a Yat Ming or earlier Ertl product. While it is true some models show off the detailing better than others, I have tried to pick subjects for photos that show off most of the detailing possibilities, some more subtle than others.
This pair shows how much impact a detailing job can have. The detailed car got a full blown paint and chrome detailing. Many of the painted details are rather subtle but as you can see they add up quite significantly to make the overall effect of the car much more interesting and impressive.
Of course black cars, dark cars in general, show off the chrome more effectively than most due to the sharp contrast between the paint color and the bright chrome trim. The 442 model has a few attributes that a minority of the Ertl models have: side marker lights. Some of the newer Ertls have these lights, but they are represented by tampos instead of cast-in ridges. The 442 also has quite a number of items that can be painted with a dab of paint here and there which really make the model perk up and make the overall affect much more powerful.
The Z28 is one of the most body-shape accurate models Ertl has made to date. The color of this Z and the limited use of chrome trim on the 1:1s may make you ask what affect detailing can have on such a model car. While this 1:1 model has very little chrome trim, the trim that is there really sets off the the look of the car. And like any model, there are usually one or two obvious items that are just begging for further detailing which end up really making a world of difference in the overall look of the model. Ertl neglected to detail the air cleaner lid which should be chrome. Actually, it's probably best they left it black plastic so that the lid can receive chrome foil. Had they chromed the entire air cleaner casting, we would have to paint black everything except the lid for it to be accurate. And foiling is always easier and neater than painting.
To be honest, I think the manufacturers of diecast models are pleased that some folks detail their products further. This helps to illustrate more fully the potential of the models they produce. Such efforts also show off to more full a degree how nicely detailed their products are and can be. Ertl and other manufacturers have paid we the detailers the highest of compliments by adding more and more detail to their products such as Ertl's limited edition runs of their newer products which include many additional painted details. And of course on the cars in their Mint series speak for themselves with an even higher level of detailing. I hope my efforts and those of any and all other craftsman who modify and detail their models can help point all manufacturers toward the goal of greater detail and accuracy in all their products.