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We finally have free time to work on our [Gunpla] Thread
Curly_Brace
Robot GirlMimiga VillageRegistered User regular
Robot GirlMimiga VillageRegistered User regular
Welcome, one and all, to the thread on scale plastic models...
...of giant robots!
And model kits of other things too! Really! I might be a Gunpla nut... BUT if you just build, say, models of cars or what-have-you then you're welcome in this thread. Model-makers should all get along, I say. (And yes there is a Gypsy Danger model in the works... or so rumors on the internet say.)
It seems to me there is a resurgence in the popularity of Gundam Plastic (Gunpla) and other similar mecha models outside of Japan these days. I cannot speculate as to why this seems to be the case, but I can celebrate it with my fellow model-makers! And perhaps you, dear reader, have never built an awesome plastic model of an equally awesome giant robot... (or perhaps you've built a few and are looking to take things to the next level) then, allow me to provide some further information.
CHOOSING YOUR MECHA MODEL: WHAT GRADE DO YOU WANT?
The official Gundam model kits made my Bandai are, for the most part, produced in three scales: 1/144th, 1/100th, and 1/60th size.
(I think the one on the far left is a capsule toy...)
There are numerous different types of models aimed at varying skill levels. Most models you find these are labelled as High Grade. But not to worry, new model-builder: there are kits of this grade aimed towards people looking for their first kit. They include, but are not limited to:
1/144 HGUC Gunpla Starter Set: Gundam Vs. Zaku II
1/144 HG 00 Gundam
1/144 HGBF Build Gundam Mk-II
I personally recommend you consider a 1/100th scale HG model, new kit-builder. Why? The parts are larger and thus usually easier to work with. The smaller 1/144th scale tend to be cheaper, though, so it's a matter of what you think is the best fit for your skill level and budget. Do not fret and remember to take your time and, if you run into a problem, ask for advice in this thread or search online. There are a variety of good guides out there. (Some of which I've linked on the bottom of this post.)
If you've built a few models by now I would suggest you look in to the next two more advanced grades of Gunpla: Master Grade and Real Grade. 1/100th scale Master Grade (MG) models are a step up in complexity from their 1/100th HG equivalents. They often feature articulated "skeletons" underneath their armor, more pieces, and a lot more range of movement. Of course, there is a greater cost to go along with this jump in quality and complexity. But if you're really enjoying building Gunpla, I recommend you treat yourself to a MG kit of your favorite mecha. (If there is such a model... but MG kits are becoming much more common as time goes on. So fear not, fan of that one obscure mecha!)
Real Grade (RG) kits are a lot like MG kits... except they are 1/144th scale! This means you are often dealing with nearly as many pieces as a MG kit, except all those pieces are smaller and thus more of a challenge to work with. The upside is I've seen RG kits often go for less than their MG kit equivalents. There is an increasing variety of RG kits available, and while I have yet to build one myself they do look and articulate better than 1/144th scale HG kits.
Then, of course, we come to the big kahuna of Gunpla kits: The Perfect Grade! These kits are 1/60th scale, and therefore pretty darn big! They have fully-articulated interior "skeletons", more moving parts than you can count, and often some metal parts (such as screws and bolts) for added stability and durability. They look amazing, take quite a bit of effort to build and (of course) cost quite a bit more than, say, a Master Grade kit of the same mecha. I salute you, brave model builder, if you have ever tackled a PG kit!
I should note there are "Super-Deformed" (SD) kits available as well: these are little mini kits of Gundam mecha squished and morphed to look, well, adorable. They are usually pretty cheap, have few parts, and have their own charm. (If you are into that sort of thing, I suppose.) Think Hello Kitty does Gundam. Some people recommend these as good starter kits, due to their simplicity and low cost. In my experience, however, they almost always need plenty of glue, which is a nice segway into...
BUILDING YOUR GUNPLA: PAINT, GLUE, MARKERS, OH MY!
Back in the day Gundam models needed paint to look nice and glue to stay together. (Remember those old 1/144th scale model kits you could get at Toys 'R Us? I do. They were not very good...) These days, however, you can put together most HG kits with little to no glue. I do recommend using glue when possible, though. It makes your model less likely to shed a part. I personally use Model Master Liquid Cement. You can use "glue anything" types of cement and glue, but usually modeling cement is cheaper and better-suited for the task at hand. Make sure to do your gluing in a well-ventilated area! And remember to stop if you ever feel woozy or get a headache. Model glue is not harmless stuff, and I always wear gloves & a respirator (I do my gluing right in front of an open window too) if I can.
Now we come to painting. There are some excellent guides on painting & detailing Gunpla which I will include below. Generally speaking you have three types of painting you can do: spray painting (with "rattle cans" as they are often called), by-hand painting using various brushes, and airbrushing. I personally stick to acrylic paints since they are water-based and thus easy to thin. They are also the least toxic, but still use them with caution! Right now I stick to rattle cans and hand painting. I use the former outside on newspaper or some other surface I don't care about getting paint on. The latter I use in front of a window, and mostly just use for touch-ups, small pieces, and details.
Now there are two ways to paint pieces of your model... in the molding cradle and after you take them out. Really, I highly recommend you cut pieces out of their cradle, sand them, and maybe even glue a few together before painting! It might mean you have to paint one or two pieces at a time but I've found the end result looks so much nicer. Painting pieces in the molding cradle means saving time but cutting corners with the end product. Besides, you're going to be painting individual pieces if your ever upgrade to an Airbrush...
Airbrushing is something I would love to get in to. I've never done it so take my advice with a grain of salt, folks. Unlike the other kinds of painting it requires a higher initial investment. Namely, putting down a chunk of change ($200... ish) for a mini compressor and an airbrush. You can go crazy and easily spend $1,000 or more, but most advice I've received recommends going for a middle-range compressor and brush. The two major types of brush are gravity-feed (or top-feed) and bottom-feed. Each has their own unique advantages and quirks, so I really recommend you do your research first. If all else fails maybe you can borrow one from a friend and see how you like using it. Airbrushing often produced some truly impressive and beautiful paint jobs.
Panel lining is a popular way to make your model (not just Gunpla) look better. However, some find it frustrating or even confusing. How do you get those thin lines full of ink or paint? How do you clean up errors? Well, first see if you can't pick up some Gundam Markers. Yes, they are expensive but the fine-tipped ones are actually pretty darn good for doing panel lines and subtle details. Practice on one model, or maybe on a spare part. Some folks say you can panel line without doing any painting at all, but I find the ink tends to stick a bit better sometimes if there is a paint coat below it. You are going to want to use a clear topcoat as a sealant anyways. As for undoing mistakes... Make sure to let the ink or paint dry before handling a piece! That's good general advice, really. And I've found a proper white plastic eraser actually removes the ink from a Gundam Marker! (The super-fine tip type, or the fine-tip type... not the actual paint markers...) I use a Pentel Hi-Polymer eraser myself.
Now, with all that being said about painting... most MG and PG models need no painting, really, save for perhaps a topcoat to deal in panel lines and other details. These days Gunpla model pieces are molded in show-accurate colors, even the HG kits.
So... now your Gunpla model is painted, glued, and looking good. Why not post a picture of it in this thread? Why not share your advice, your works-in-progress, and ask some questions? I am no expert but I'll do my best to help folks out! In fact, here is an assortment of tutorials and how-to blogs I've found useful:
A Comparison of HG, MG, RG and PG models of the same mecha. In this case, a Zaku II.
Gundam Modeling 101 (...and 102 is linked at the bottom of the article.)
Building for Beginners: tips and tricks.
A truly extensive guide with multiple sections devoted to everything from selecting a model to detailing battle damage. They needed to proof-read this before putting it up online, though...
A very nice general Gunpla building, painting & detailing guide. (No, I have no idea why he's not wearing a shirt in that one picture...)
I make no promises my advice or the advice given in the links above is the "Gunpla gospel." Do your research, practice, and go with what feels like it'd be the most fun for you! After all, this hobby is supposed to be fun!
Now... if you've read all this and are thinking, "gee, building models sure looks like fun... but I don't really like Gundam mecha." Well, why not build a Zoid model?
...Or a scale model of the Enterprise?
...Or a model of a real airplane that actually exists?
Whatever your passions, I am sure there is a model out there for you! In fact, feel free to talk about whatever models you are working on in this thread. I've found good advice can apply to almost any kind of model. Please, feel free to share your advice, questions, works-in-progress and finished models here.
Come, join the thread and post! Feel free to share your creations... like this amazing custom-painted job from our very own @Kongo:
Announcing Curly Brace's Gunpla Giveaway Raffle! Update: Contest Over, Winners Below!
First of all I want to thank each and every one of you for contributing to this thread. I am delighted to see folks get into the gunpla building hobby, or show off their awesome skills! In celebration of this getting over 50 pages I am hereby holding a raffle for TWO Gunpla kits!
The first kit is a 1/144 scale Real Grade MS-06S Zaku II Char Aznable Custom. The box has been opened (and has some scuff marks on it) but otherwise this model is in pristine, un-built condition.
The second kit is a 1/144 scale HGUC MSN-04 Sazabi "Metallic Coating Version." Again, the box has been opened but this massive (for a 1/144 scale) model is ready to be built.
(No, there is no particular reason why two of Char's units are the ones being raffled off. It just sort of worked out that way.)
Now, here are instructions how to enter: Send me a single PM message between now and 11:59 pm Central time March 20th. You may only enter for one of the kits, not both. This is to ensure people get the kit they want the most. Please include in your message which kit you would prefer. There is NO cost to enter. Please do not make a bunch of duplicate accounts to send in multiple entries, please.
Winners will be selected at random using randomly-generated numbers, then announced here in thread the evening of March 21st. I will also PM the winners. Winners will need to supply me with an address they would like to have me send their kit to. The winners do not have to pay for shipping, but if they pitch in to cover at least some of the shipping cost that would be really appreciated.
If you have any questions regarding the contest feel free to post here in the thread or PM me.
(This has been OK'd by a mod, by the way.)
Gunpla Giveaway Raffle Winners!
@see317 is the winner of the 1/144 scale RG MS-06S Zaku II Char Aznable Custom!
@bobAkirafett is the winner of the 1/144 scale HGUC MSN-04 Sazabi "Metallic Coating Version"
Congratulate our two lucky winners!
...of giant robots!
And model kits of other things too! Really! I might be a Gunpla nut... BUT if you just build, say, models of cars or what-have-you then you're welcome in this thread. Model-makers should all get along, I say. (And yes there is a Gypsy Danger model in the works... or so rumors on the internet say.)
It seems to me there is a resurgence in the popularity of Gundam Plastic (Gunpla) and other similar mecha models outside of Japan these days. I cannot speculate as to why this seems to be the case, but I can celebrate it with my fellow model-makers! And perhaps you, dear reader, have never built an awesome plastic model of an equally awesome giant robot... (or perhaps you've built a few and are looking to take things to the next level) then, allow me to provide some further information.
CHOOSING YOUR MECHA MODEL: WHAT GRADE DO YOU WANT?
The official Gundam model kits made my Bandai are, for the most part, produced in three scales: 1/144th, 1/100th, and 1/60th size.
(I think the one on the far left is a capsule toy...)
There are numerous different types of models aimed at varying skill levels. Most models you find these are labelled as High Grade. But not to worry, new model-builder: there are kits of this grade aimed towards people looking for their first kit. They include, but are not limited to:
1/144 HGUC Gunpla Starter Set: Gundam Vs. Zaku II
1/144 HG 00 Gundam
1/144 HGBF Build Gundam Mk-II
I personally recommend you consider a 1/100th scale HG model, new kit-builder. Why? The parts are larger and thus usually easier to work with. The smaller 1/144th scale tend to be cheaper, though, so it's a matter of what you think is the best fit for your skill level and budget. Do not fret and remember to take your time and, if you run into a problem, ask for advice in this thread or search online. There are a variety of good guides out there. (Some of which I've linked on the bottom of this post.)
If you've built a few models by now I would suggest you look in to the next two more advanced grades of Gunpla: Master Grade and Real Grade. 1/100th scale Master Grade (MG) models are a step up in complexity from their 1/100th HG equivalents. They often feature articulated "skeletons" underneath their armor, more pieces, and a lot more range of movement. Of course, there is a greater cost to go along with this jump in quality and complexity. But if you're really enjoying building Gunpla, I recommend you treat yourself to a MG kit of your favorite mecha. (If there is such a model... but MG kits are becoming much more common as time goes on. So fear not, fan of that one obscure mecha!)
Real Grade (RG) kits are a lot like MG kits... except they are 1/144th scale! This means you are often dealing with nearly as many pieces as a MG kit, except all those pieces are smaller and thus more of a challenge to work with. The upside is I've seen RG kits often go for less than their MG kit equivalents. There is an increasing variety of RG kits available, and while I have yet to build one myself they do look and articulate better than 1/144th scale HG kits.
Then, of course, we come to the big kahuna of Gunpla kits: The Perfect Grade! These kits are 1/60th scale, and therefore pretty darn big! They have fully-articulated interior "skeletons", more moving parts than you can count, and often some metal parts (such as screws and bolts) for added stability and durability. They look amazing, take quite a bit of effort to build and (of course) cost quite a bit more than, say, a Master Grade kit of the same mecha. I salute you, brave model builder, if you have ever tackled a PG kit!
I should note there are "Super-Deformed" (SD) kits available as well: these are little mini kits of Gundam mecha squished and morphed to look, well, adorable. They are usually pretty cheap, have few parts, and have their own charm. (If you are into that sort of thing, I suppose.) Think Hello Kitty does Gundam. Some people recommend these as good starter kits, due to their simplicity and low cost. In my experience, however, they almost always need plenty of glue, which is a nice segway into...
BUILDING YOUR GUNPLA: PAINT, GLUE, MARKERS, OH MY!
Back in the day Gundam models needed paint to look nice and glue to stay together. (Remember those old 1/144th scale model kits you could get at Toys 'R Us? I do. They were not very good...) These days, however, you can put together most HG kits with little to no glue. I do recommend using glue when possible, though. It makes your model less likely to shed a part. I personally use Model Master Liquid Cement. You can use "glue anything" types of cement and glue, but usually modeling cement is cheaper and better-suited for the task at hand. Make sure to do your gluing in a well-ventilated area! And remember to stop if you ever feel woozy or get a headache. Model glue is not harmless stuff, and I always wear gloves & a respirator (I do my gluing right in front of an open window too) if I can.
Now we come to painting. There are some excellent guides on painting & detailing Gunpla which I will include below. Generally speaking you have three types of painting you can do: spray painting (with "rattle cans" as they are often called), by-hand painting using various brushes, and airbrushing. I personally stick to acrylic paints since they are water-based and thus easy to thin. They are also the least toxic, but still use them with caution! Right now I stick to rattle cans and hand painting. I use the former outside on newspaper or some other surface I don't care about getting paint on. The latter I use in front of a window, and mostly just use for touch-ups, small pieces, and details.
Now there are two ways to paint pieces of your model... in the molding cradle and after you take them out. Really, I highly recommend you cut pieces out of their cradle, sand them, and maybe even glue a few together before painting! It might mean you have to paint one or two pieces at a time but I've found the end result looks so much nicer. Painting pieces in the molding cradle means saving time but cutting corners with the end product. Besides, you're going to be painting individual pieces if your ever upgrade to an Airbrush...
Airbrushing is something I would love to get in to. I've never done it so take my advice with a grain of salt, folks. Unlike the other kinds of painting it requires a higher initial investment. Namely, putting down a chunk of change ($200... ish) for a mini compressor and an airbrush. You can go crazy and easily spend $1,000 or more, but most advice I've received recommends going for a middle-range compressor and brush. The two major types of brush are gravity-feed (or top-feed) and bottom-feed. Each has their own unique advantages and quirks, so I really recommend you do your research first. If all else fails maybe you can borrow one from a friend and see how you like using it. Airbrushing often produced some truly impressive and beautiful paint jobs.
Panel lining is a popular way to make your model (not just Gunpla) look better. However, some find it frustrating or even confusing. How do you get those thin lines full of ink or paint? How do you clean up errors? Well, first see if you can't pick up some Gundam Markers. Yes, they are expensive but the fine-tipped ones are actually pretty darn good for doing panel lines and subtle details. Practice on one model, or maybe on a spare part. Some folks say you can panel line without doing any painting at all, but I find the ink tends to stick a bit better sometimes if there is a paint coat below it. You are going to want to use a clear topcoat as a sealant anyways. As for undoing mistakes... Make sure to let the ink or paint dry before handling a piece! That's good general advice, really. And I've found a proper white plastic eraser actually removes the ink from a Gundam Marker! (The super-fine tip type, or the fine-tip type... not the actual paint markers...) I use a Pentel Hi-Polymer eraser myself.
Now, with all that being said about painting... most MG and PG models need no painting, really, save for perhaps a topcoat to deal in panel lines and other details. These days Gunpla model pieces are molded in show-accurate colors, even the HG kits.
So... now your Gunpla model is painted, glued, and looking good. Why not post a picture of it in this thread? Why not share your advice, your works-in-progress, and ask some questions? I am no expert but I'll do my best to help folks out! In fact, here is an assortment of tutorials and how-to blogs I've found useful:
A Comparison of HG, MG, RG and PG models of the same mecha. In this case, a Zaku II.
Gundam Modeling 101 (...and 102 is linked at the bottom of the article.)
Building for Beginners: tips and tricks.
A truly extensive guide with multiple sections devoted to everything from selecting a model to detailing battle damage. They needed to proof-read this before putting it up online, though...
A very nice general Gunpla building, painting & detailing guide. (No, I have no idea why he's not wearing a shirt in that one picture...)
I make no promises my advice or the advice given in the links above is the "Gunpla gospel." Do your research, practice, and go with what feels like it'd be the most fun for you! After all, this hobby is supposed to be fun!
Now... if you've read all this and are thinking, "gee, building models sure looks like fun... but I don't really like Gundam mecha." Well, why not build a Zoid model?
...Or a scale model of the Enterprise?
...Or a model of a real airplane that actually exists?
Whatever your passions, I am sure there is a model out there for you! In fact, feel free to talk about whatever models you are working on in this thread. I've found good advice can apply to almost any kind of model. Please, feel free to share your advice, questions, works-in-progress and finished models here.
Come, join the thread and post! Feel free to share your creations... like this amazing custom-painted job from our very own @Kongo:
Announcing Curly Brace's Gunpla Giveaway Raffle! Update: Contest Over, Winners Below!
First of all I want to thank each and every one of you for contributing to this thread. I am delighted to see folks get into the gunpla building hobby, or show off their awesome skills! In celebration of this getting over 50 pages I am hereby holding a raffle for TWO Gunpla kits!
The first kit is a 1/144 scale Real Grade MS-06S Zaku II Char Aznable Custom. The box has been opened (and has some scuff marks on it) but otherwise this model is in pristine, un-built condition.
The second kit is a 1/144 scale HGUC MSN-04 Sazabi "Metallic Coating Version." Again, the box has been opened but this massive (for a 1/144 scale) model is ready to be built.
(No, there is no particular reason why two of Char's units are the ones being raffled off. It just sort of worked out that way.)
Now, here are instructions how to enter: Send me a single PM message between now and 11:59 pm Central time March 20th. You may only enter for one of the kits, not both. This is to ensure people get the kit they want the most. Please include in your message which kit you would prefer. There is NO cost to enter. Please do not make a bunch of duplicate accounts to send in multiple entries, please.
Winners will be selected at random using randomly-generated numbers, then announced here in thread the evening of March 21st. I will also PM the winners. Winners will need to supply me with an address they would like to have me send their kit to. The winners do not have to pay for shipping, but if they pitch in to cover at least some of the shipping cost that would be really appreciated.
If you have any questions regarding the contest feel free to post here in the thread or PM me.
(This has been OK'd by a mod, by the way.)
Gunpla Giveaway Raffle Winners!
@see317 is the winner of the 1/144 scale RG MS-06S Zaku II Char Aznable Custom!
@bobAkirafett is the winner of the 1/144 scale HGUC MSN-04 Sazabi "Metallic Coating Version"
Congratulate our two lucky winners!
Curly_Brace on
+22
This discussion has been closed.
Posts
Man
I can't have them around the apartment but if I could I'd snap those little bastards together all day
And I found myself online window shopping for some more the other day!
I might pick up a few as something to work on while listening to podcasts or something
I chose... poorly
But now I can rectify that
Nah she ain't care about Gundam or such like
We just don't have a ton of space for toys. The Amiibo are pushign it
buy the neo zeong 1/144 :rotate:
that and I only have so much shelf space for the small handful of figures I already own
my pride and joy from back in the day is this MG RX-79G, which I battle-damaged by actually taking a lighter, incense sticks, knives, and a few soft graphite pencils to it to simulate beam rifle damage and general wear
I haven't gunpla'd in like ten years but I'm getting hella cravings
goin on an easter picnic but I've got some links and pictures to share later
I should try again with better glue so that I don't think of endless frustration when I think of model building
Lately I have been thinking about historical miniatures though, like ww2 tanks or airplanes, that kinda thing, such a massive field, not sure where to even dip my toe in though.
I think would just start with some Soviet planes.
The Soviets had some cool planes.
Are you thinking miniatures for some sort of tactical tabletop, or just models to show off?
You just made me think of something. I hate painting sculptures. If I had one that wasn't a giger dick I'd sent it to another forumer who wanted to paint it.
Just to look nice on a shelf and be a fun project, mostly.
I like wargames but don't like miniature based ones, miniatures are too fiddly and expensive for wargames for me.
I have been window shopping a lot lately, but then I go down the path of wanting to "do it right" and buy an airbrush and stuff and that gets so pricey.
IMO most models are good enough molding and color quality that you'll maybe just want to hit it with a clear topcoat of some sort. Dont feel like you can't build without an airbrush!
In my case, I got back into gunpla when Gundam Build Fighters reminded me it existed. That's just a fun show celebrating all things Gundam.
I am going to get the MG Talgeese here with part of my tax return, I think.
http://www.amazon.com/Bandai-Hobby-Gundam-Atmospheric-Reconguista/dp/B00M1APWB4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428271073&sr=8-1&keywords=gundam+reconguista+in+g
Unfortunately that one looks kind of lame without extra touching up, awkward stickers and such.
For anyone wanting lots of info before a purchase, check out dalong.net! It's got detailed photos, scans of manuals, it's a great resource.
That is a whole lot of Korean that I do not understand, but the pictures are helpful!
They do but they're typically resin or vinyl kits
Kotobukiya made models for the jehuty, anubis, and vic viper
The Revoltech versions are also worth a look, but seem harder to come by
Somebody slap my hand away from the mouse so I cannot click 'buy now'!
That Vic viper seems rad
I just don't really want to put my credit card info into that site??!
See if it's on hobby link Japan, they're a reputable site
HMMMM
Got nearing twenty, considering getting one painted up. The Montero is rad as all get out, and it looks good with a back mounted minigun rack. Might look good in green.
Why I fear the ocean.
No wait that is radder
I dont want to wait 3 weeks!