So, I got it in my head to do a project on Jimmie Johnson’s 84 car. Yeah, the 84. Not the 48 everyone and their brother has a model of. I figured, why not? Something a bit different, you know? Seemed like a good way to spend some evenings, get my hands busy with something other than the usual grind.
Getting Started on This Thing
First off, finding a decent base model that could even remotely pass for the 84 car was a whole saga. It’s not like you can just walk into a store and pick one up. Most of the stuff out there is, you guessed it, the 48. I spent a good week just scouring online, forums, old collector sites. Finally found something that was kinda close, a generic stock car body that I thought I could work with. Big emphasis on “thought.”
Then came stripping it down. The paint on these things, sometimes it comes off easy, sometimes it’s like it’s welded on. This one? The latter, of course. Had to be careful not to gouge the metal. My workshop smelled like paint stripper for days. My wife wasn’t too thrilled, let me tell you.
The Nitty-Gritty of the Build
Painting was next. Trying to match that specific shade of blue, or whatever it was for that particular race livery I was aiming for, that’s an art in itself. Mixed up a few batches. Tested on some scrap plastic. Finally got something I could live with. Spraying it, though, that’s where the real fun begins. You hold your breath, hope for the best, and try not to get any dust specks in it. Which, of course, I did. Had to sand it down and do the hood again. Twice.
And the decals. Oh boy, the decals for the 84. Good luck finding a perfect set. I ended up having to piece some together from different sheets, and even try my hand at printing a few custom ones. That little printer of mine, it’s not exactly a professional setup. Let’s just say there was a lot of trial and error. Mostly error. I remember one evening, I spent three hours just trying to get one tiny sponsor logo to sit right, and it just kept tearing or wrinkling. I almost threw the whole thing across the room. I really did. Just walked away, made some coffee, and told myself I’d look at it tomorrow.
It’s funny, it reminds me of this old project I was on years ago, not car related at all, some software thing. Everything that could go wrong, absolutely did. We’d fix one bug, two more would pop up. The client kept changing their mind. You just get to a point where you think, “Is this even worth it?” But then you sleep on it, and the next day, you’re back, trying a different angle. Guess I’m just stubborn like that.
Here’s a quick list of things that gave me more trouble than they should have:
- Getting the window net to look like actual netting and not a piece of plastic.
- Making the tiny little hood pins look like actual hood pins.
- Finding wheels that looked right for that specific year and model.
- Trying to paint the lug nuts without getting paint all over the tires. That was a joy.
Where It Stands Now
So, after all that, it’s… well, it’s done. Or as done as these things ever get. It’s sitting on my shelf now. From a distance, it looks pretty sharp. Up close, yeah, I can see all the little flaws, the spots where I know I could have done better. But that’s always the way, isn’t it? You’re your own worst critic.
It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. But it’s my Jimmie Johnson 84 car. Every time I look at it, I don’t just see a model car. I see the hours, the frustration, the small wins. It’s a bit of a story, sitting there on the shelf. And honestly, that’s what this whole hobby thing is about for me. Taking something plain and making it into something with a bit of character, a bit of yourself in it. Even if it did test my patience to its absolute limit.
Now, what to start on next? Maybe something with fewer decals. Or maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment.
