A bit of a quandary

[Iain]

Lauren gave me a set of Baldwin RF16 sharks for Christmas.  They are painted in the BLW demo scheme.  However, they are incorrect on two levels:  there were never any RF16 demonstrators, they were DR4-4-15s with different side panelling; also the BLW demonstrators had sky blue frames, not gray.

My quandary is this:  I really like the BLW demonstrator scheme.  However, I just cannot paint a locomotive to match it.  My painting skills suck.  I don't even really have the skills needed to paint the frame blue.  Considering that the scheme is not prototypical and that I probably could do the correct DR4-4-15, but that I could not paint it, should I leave the current scheme on the RF16s and call them freelanced?

Does any of this actually make sense?

[3rdrail]

If you want to stay in your girlfriend's good graces, leave your gift alone. Some things are more important than a matching paint scheme, like making your GF think she bought you the perfect gift! 

[Wlal13again]

I couldnt agree more. Just let it be...

[central.vermont]

I wouldn't let it bother ya, just leave it be. Besides if in the future she
becomes your ex GF then maybe you can do something. But for now I
wouldn't rock the boat! ;D

Jon

[chuck geiger]

My daughter bought me an Intermountain Patrick Cudahay 40' reefer from the 40's I ask my wife what to do (I model the late 70's) She said park it on a siding and put tumbleweeds around it. I said OK. (My grandson's name is Patrick and I know to leave well enough alone).

[central.vermont]

Smart man Chuck!!!! 
Jon

[up1950s]

How often do we get to see everybody in perfect agreement . Being that the body style isn't perfect , allows you to have a clearer conscience as to the paint differences . Let it , as 3rdrail states , be the perfect gift .

[sirenwerks]

Hmmm... Baldwin sharks for a pirate guy. If she made that connection, I'd say she's definitely a keeper and you're best to leave them alone.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'd say keep em how they are.

But work on those painting skills, it's not too tough, and will yield you much better work.

Once you've brushed up on them, do the frames, but not beforehand.

This way, not only is it a great gift, but now it's a great gift that you've become invested in.

[Chulvis]

Iain: Don't be a douche bag. Leave them alone. Changing them would hurt Lauren's feelings and make you look bad.

Take the advice of people that have experience in this field.

My wife once made me a blueberry pie because it is my favorite. It sucked and I tossed it. She found out. After all these years, it still would have been easier to eat it rather than hear her rag on me about it every now and then...trust me...just use them as they are. It will be better for you.

This is good advice you're getting here. Lots of guys pay $175.00 an hour for this stuff.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

She's a modeler too, right? Thats why I'm telling you, enjoy em now, drop the "so, I was doing some research on these, and I think I'm going to do X to make them more realistic". She should be right there with you.

Then when the time comes, think the pottery scene from Ghost.

[wm3798]

You're painting a picture that none of us really want to see, there Ed.

Lee ;D

[chuck geiger]

Ed is an emotional cat!

[Ryan87]

I'm sure as soon as one of them got a shot of paint in the eyes any romanticism would be lost. 

[Wlal13again]

And just for good measure, run them once and a while when she`s around.