The fifth sense: the smell of modelling work in the morning (or any time of day)

[Vanvlak]

I was wondering whether people associate any particular smells - good or bad - with modelling work.

I sometimes actually miss the smell of enamels which I have not used in years. And I love the smell of a freshly opened model, especially one in a cardboard box sealed in plastic, seems to keep all the goodness in!

But I have recently added a new one - on purchasing some scenery and stuff from Sarissa Precision, I have acquired a taste (part nostalgic - I used to work with a laser) for the mild burnt wood smell which comes from their packs. I also have fun putting their models together, much more fun than plastic or resin or metal, so that adds to the appreciation of the aroma I guess. But I'm starting to worry whether this might spur a binge in buying their stuff and other laser-cut products! 

[Daeothar]

I'm with you on the smell of enamels; I started out as a kid building model planes (1/72 jets, mostly), and the smell of the small tins of Revell enamels still brings back all kinds of warm, fuzzy memories.

Likewise, I still miss the smell of the Citadel paints in the soft hex-shaped flip-top pots fromt he early nineties. Those had a very particular smell, which was actually quite pleasant (not at all like the later citadel paints, which have become nastier and nastier IMHO). Those paints were made by Coat d'Arms I believe, but I haven't had the pleasure of buying from them directly to check if the smell is still the same...

I also associate the smell of Revell Contacta glue with hobbby time. I've used that brand since I was 10 or so, and it still hasn't let me down. In messy tubes at first, but the past 10 years or so in the needle bottles exclusively. To this day I don't know if the smell triggers association with building models, or if it simply is addictive though... 

And then there is the smell of pewter of course. The way the acids on the skin interact with the metal gives off a very distinct smell, that will linger on the skin of your fingertips too. I love that smell. It can also be sensed when sawing or cutting metal miniatures. Gotta love the metal!

...But I'm starting to worry whether this might spur a binge in buying their stuff and other laser-cut products! 

That's easy; don't binge buy, but buy them one at a time, so you keep getting freshly cut kits. that way the smell will not be faded when you open a new package...

The lasercut smell hasn't grown on me yet though. I find it a bit too sharp in the back of the throat at times. But faded a bit, it's not unpleasant I guess. that's why I let mine breathe a bit before I start working on them.

And just let that sink in for a bit; we're talking about toxic and burn fumes as if they were good wines. Maybe that plastic cement does more dainbramage than we thought...

[Plynkes]

I think the old Citadel paints smelled too pleasant. I found myself constantly fighting the temptation to try and drink them!  

Those paints were made by Coat d'Arms I believe, but I haven't had the pleasure of buying from them directly to check if the smell is still the same...

I use Coat d'Arms  paints quite a bit, and they don't seem to have any smell at all. Or maybe I've just lost my sense of smell. In fact my hobby these days is remarkably odourless. Not like the old days.


Don't miss anything about enamels. Not the smell, not the thinners, not the headaches.

[SBRPearce]

I began painting miniatures about 40 years ago, using Testors enamels in the tiny glass jars. The smell of enamel and thinner still evokes memories of sitting on the living room floor working at the coffee table and constantly reassuring my mother that I wouldn't spill anything on the floor...

and learning from my father how to drybrush by watching him magically create texture on the wing of a 1:28 scale Sopwith Camel just with these careful brush-strokes... It took me years to master the trick, but I knew it was possible after that.

[Dr Mathias]

Two-part epoxy always reminds me of my high school friend's bedroom and his massive Rogue Trader ork army. He used epoxy extensively and his small bedroom was infused with the stench- it was the first time I ever smelt the stuff and was a weird assault on the nostrils. 

Armory spray primer had a distinctive scent back in the day. Is that brand still around?

[DS615]

Large amounts of Woodland Scenic flock, epoxy, and that particular "musty smell" you get in some garages or basements.
Any of those instantly takes may back to my Grandpa's garage.  He wasn't a wargamer, but a model train guy. 
His terrain was epic, and is no doubt what lit my interest in the terrain side of our hobby.

[Wirelizard]

GW's washes still have a slightly odd odour.

The smell of whatever it is that scenic lichen from Woodland Scenics is preserved with.

Hot glue.

White glue, especially the smell of it drying on your hands.

More recently, the burnt smell off lasercut items.

(I just got a package of stuff from Warbases. I will neither confirm nor deny that I stuck my face in the padded envelope last night and took a big hit of that sweet, sweet scorched smell right after opening the envelope...)

Paint thinners to some extent, because like a lot of folks I painted with Humbrol enamels for years and years before finally switching to Reaper and other acrylic paints.

[Hupp n at em]

I use Coat d'Arms  paints quite a bit, and they don't seem to have any smell at all. Or maybe I've just lost my sense of smell. In fact my hobby these days is remarkably odourless. Not like the old days.

Does that mean you've shed the hobbyist's block and found the hobby bug again? If so, happy to hear that.