Anyone into gunpla - Japanophiles unite to share tips on painting our toys (GUNPLA IS FREEDOM)

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I'm still a newbie to this, I assembled my first kid, an IBO Kimaris Vidar HG but I'd like to get into painting. I already panel line my stuff. What's a good brush shape/size for base coating? Don't have the money for an air brush right now, would be great if someone could just link me to some decent brushes.
 
I'm still a newbie to this, I assembled my first kid, an IBO Kimaris Vidar HG but I'd like to get into painting. I already panel line my stuff. What's a good brush shape/size for base coating? Don't have the money for an air brush right now, would be great if someone could just link me to some decent brushes.
Welcome to Gunpla, bud. One of the best hobbies in the world imo. Here is a brush sold by Ammo by MIG (a line of products by a seasoned hobbyist). https://spraygunner.com/ammo-by-mig-brushes-6-syntetic-flat-brush/

I don't hand paint my all of my kits but these brushes are good for hand painting and weathering. If you need some more advice, Barbatos Rex has a good youtube channel where he shows hand painting with different types of paints. Real informative before you purchase products.
 
Sorry for the double post but I just wanted to show what I keep on my desk.

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All of them will get detailed in time. I keep them there as inspiration as I build. It's fun noticing the similarities between mobile suits and how design features are passed down, shared, or are combined with another mobile suit.
 
I'm still a newbie to this, I assembled my first kid, an IBO Kimaris Vidar HG but I'd like to get into painting. I already panel line my stuff. What's a good brush shape/size for base coating? Don't have the money for an air brush right now, would be great if someone could just link me to some decent brushes.
Welcome to Gunpla! The brush I usually use for painting is a flat 8 brush, as the size is suitable for HG and MG, just control the amount of paint you use (I recommend Citadel Paints because they are thin enough to do proper coats and you only need small amounts to be effective, I also recommend Mr Surfacer Primer 1000 for priming for paint, just have ventilation handy due to the fumes.) Also you can experiment with different craft paints like I do but I'd say Citadel are my favorite thus far.

In keeping with the spooky season, I have a question... wanna see a spooky girlie?
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This is my first Kotobukiya kit, its a character from Phantasy Star, a game series I have little familiarity with, but thought she looked cool. Which she does! (This picture was taken before finishing.)
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She has a scythe, a small handgun and a big, bow-like gun (not shown is the big gun). Her posability is pretty interesting, no waist but has a good crunch at the chest (yea she may not be well endowed at the chest, but I actually don't mind, I'm not too sexually driven anymore... thanks psychiatry.) Also she has interchangeable hands so you don't have to build them (thank goodness that you don't because I think it required glue and I'm not doing that stuff... the last kit that needed adhesive did that and I wanted to die...) the joints are nice and solid as well, doesn't feel floppy.
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Overall, I'm happy with this kit! Not a bad intro to Koto kits because I've seen some kits I'd like to source. Major issue with this kit... its kinda exclusive to Japan at the moment, or out of print over here, I'm not too sure. I paid in the $80 range to have it imported via ebay and I'm not mad, I'd say if you can get it cheaper, then get it, its a good kit, great for the spooky season due to the ghostly white color for the most part, and just forewarning, there are multiple runners of different colors, so I mixed and matched some of it to keep it interesting. I did get the baund doc HG just waiting for the shipping (won't talk about it to great length due to there being a review on this very forum). So happy spooky season, hope your candy doesn't make you trip too hard, hope your builds go smoothly and have a great day!
 
When you wanna CONSOOM super hard but you know your money would go to ongoing genocide by proxy...
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I'm not too sexually driven anymore... thanks psychiatry
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Alright that surprised me with a huge laugh. Nicely timed. Although really sexy figures can be fun but unique designs are always better than just sexy in my opinion, especially for this season.

As for the model kit itself, you really got a great choice for aesthetic there! She's a perfect combo of spooky and cute, exactly like an android should look like in my opinion. I like 2B and Dorothy as much as anyone but I miss when robots were distinctly robotic, even if given a sexy or cute overhaul. The scythe reminds me of a M.S.G weapon I got recently and painted up but more sleek in design. If you're going to panel line her then I'd suggest gray instead of black color since it'll keep the white from getting messy with smudges or looking off. Overall, great choice!

Sorry for the double post but I just wanted to show what I keep on my desk.

View attachment 2629940

All of them will get detailed in time. I keep them there as inspiration as I build. It's fun noticing the similarities between mobile suits and how design features are passed down, shared, or are combined with another mobile suit.
One of the best things about the Universal Century designs is how you can tell where each mobile suit leads into the design of the next. There's rarely too much of an outlandish leap from nowhere outside of mobile armors. It makes the world so much more lived-in and grounded, and that's coming from a diehard Wing fanboy. The tank there looks kickass too. Nice job.

I'm still a newbie to this, I assembled my first kid, an IBO Kimaris Vidar HG but I'd like to get into painting. I already panel line my stuff. What's a good brush shape/size for base coating? Don't have the money for an air brush right now, would be great if someone could just link me to some decent brushes.
Honestly here's the stuff I usually go with:
Gundam Panel Liner Markers (only used on bare plastic or else they choke up)
cheap brushes - https://amazon.com/dp/B08FHMXYKK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
Tamiya thin Surface Primer (Gray or White). Folkart paints, also cheap (the Brushed Metal Black is top tier). Tamiya Top Coats to finish it off (Pearl Clear is sparkly and makes paint look metallic, Clear is just a solid gloss top coat and Matte is realistic magic).
If I'm gonna be painting large surfaces or want a longer lasting paint job because I can't stop fiddling with my model kits like a grown kid then I'd use Tamiya spray paint cans, but I've also heard good things about Rust Oleum (haven't tried it).

But just so you know, don't take painting too seriously when you're starting out. Just get a feel for the hobby and see what you'd prefer overall. Handpainting is safer (no fumes from spray cans) and can be a ton of fun, but sprays get a different texture too. Kits are expensive enough as it is so honestly I'd suggest just buying, building and panel lining kits you really like unless you want to go for more personalization.
 
Picked up a 40th Anniversary Zaku 2 and RX-78. Also found the American Type RX-78 so I picked it up as well. Those other Battlelogue kits are on pre order at Game Stop (Do NOT go inside they WILL try to pre order them for you) but not in stock at Target yet. I also got my Gyan Krieger resin kit in today. Not what I expected at all but hey now I know 1/144 scale resin parts aren't always great.
When you wanna CONSOOM super hard but you know your money would go to ongoing genocide by proxy...
View attachment 2638350
Are all of those guys in China? I bought a DM Heavyarms a couple years ago so you don't have to feel too bad buying that kit.
One of the best things about the Universal Century designs is how you can tell where each mobile suit leads into the design of the next. There's rarely too much of an outlandish leap from nowhere outside of mobile armors. It makes the world so much more lived-in and grounded, and that's coming from a diehard Wing fanboy. The tank there looks kickass too. Nice job.
It really shows how much the series teams care about the background story. The Hildolfr has Zaku 2 arms and mini MMP-78's. Thanks for the compliment. I need to watch Wing again - I had my last viewing experience interrupted. My favorite suit in Wing has to be the Tallgeese 3. It is the ultimate gentleman's mobile suit imo.
 
I have no idea if it's coming from the same person as last time, but I managed to find another kit (HG Gusion) at my local thrift shop. This guy was in a toy baggy disassembled a bit so I didn't know if he was even all there, thought if he wasn't he'd still be good for parts, turns out all he seems to be missing is his weapons and one side skirt. No idea if he is missing something in the waist or it's just an awkward connection, but it doesn't feel that secure. Going to think of what I can replace that missing side skirt with, leaning towards like a cloth but would have to think what kind of fabric would be good and how to make it look nice.

Also, if it is the same guy dumping all these kits I'm just left thinking "You okay there?" as none of them look like those early kits fucked up by inexperience you might just want to bin. Hope you haven't given up on the hobby random stranger.
 
When you wanna CONSOOM super hard but you know your money would go to ongoing genocide by proxy...
View attachment 2638350


View attachment 2638364 Alright that surprised me with a huge laugh. Nicely timed. Although really sexy figures can be fun but unique designs are always better than just sexy in my opinion, especially for this season.

As for the model kit itself, you really got a great choice for aesthetic there! She's a perfect combo of spooky and cute, exactly like an android should look like in my opinion. I like 2B and Dorothy as much as anyone but I miss when robots were distinctly robotic, even if given a sexy or cute overhaul. The scythe reminds me of a M.S.G weapon I got recently and painted up but more sleek in design. If you're going to panel line her then I'd suggest gray instead of black color since it'll keep the white from getting messy with smudges or looking off. Overall, great choice!


One of the best things about the Universal Century designs is how you can tell where each mobile suit leads into the design of the next. There's rarely too much of an outlandish leap from nowhere outside of mobile armors. It makes the world so much more lived-in and grounded, and that's coming from a diehard Wing fanboy. The tank there looks kickass too. Nice job.


Honestly here's the stuff I usually go with:
Gundam Panel Liner Markers (only used on bare plastic or else they choke up)
cheap brushes - https://amazon.com/dp/B08FHMXYKK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
Tamiya thin Surface Primer (Gray or White). Folkart paints, also cheap (the Brushed Metal Black is top tier). Tamiya Top Coats to finish it off (Pearl Clear is sparkly and makes paint look metallic, Clear is just a solid gloss top coat and Matte is realistic magic).
If I'm gonna be painting large surfaces or want a longer lasting paint job because I can't stop fiddling with my model kits like a grown kid then I'd use Tamiya spray paint cans, but I've also heard good things about Rust Oleum (haven't tried it).

But just so you know, don't take painting too seriously when you're starting out. Just get a feel for the hobby and see what you'd prefer overall. Handpainting is safer (no fumes from spray cans) and can be a ton of fun, but sprays get a different texture too. Kits are expensive enough as it is so honestly I'd suggest just buying, building and panel lining kits you really like unless you want to go for more personalization.
Yea I agree. You don't always need sex appeal all the time and I like the kit. I may panel line I just need to remember to find one thats gray. I'm glad I caught you off guard with that remark about psychiatry, although it's painfully true in my experience, I can still joke about it :) but yea, I may panel line sooner or later depends on how work treats me.

Oh and I also ordered the chaos and pretty magical girl darkness version kit because its Halloween colored, and it was decently priced. I wish I could have got the witch one but its too expensive (I only paid $67 for magical girl, while the witch is in $80-100 range). I just hope it shows up before Halloween ends so I can parade it as a Halloween special! The only girls I get are model kits... well, its probably better this way... lol hopefully it shows up soon.
 
I have no idea if it's coming from the same person as last time, but I managed to find another kit (HG Gusion) at my local thrift shop. This guy was in a toy baggy disassembled a bit so I didn't know if he was even all there, thought if he wasn't he'd still be good for parts, turns out all he seems to be missing is his weapons and one side skirt. No idea if he is missing something in the waist or it's just an awkward connection, but it doesn't feel that secure. Going to think of what I can replace that missing side skirt with, leaning towards like a cloth but would have to think what kind of fabric would be good and how to make it look nice.

Also, if it is the same guy dumping all these kits I'm just left thinking "You okay there?" as none of them look like those early kits fucked up by inexperience you might just want to bin. Hope you haven't given up on the hobby random stranger.
I have a spare Gusion hammer and rifle. The hammer is glued, assembled, and cleaned. The rifle is still on the runner. Funny thing is, I moved from Japan and lost a lot of stuff. A lot of my Gunpla stuff (paints too) were in the stuff that got lost. Look out for a PG MK-II Titans - if that shows up, then someone in your area has my stuff.
 
Good news! I found a way to buy a great bootleg of the FA-G (Full Armor Gundam) without giving money indirectly to the CCP! You do have to pay for shipping, though, but the price is balanced out:
FAG ye.png

I checked around and apparently the site's legit. Everything is from Hong Kong so even the cheapest option will cost you $60+ but hey, at least it's not the going asking price for the Ver Ka itself (well over a hundred dollars before tax and shipping). I bought one and once it comes in I'll tell you guys how it goes.

Honestly I'm disappointed Thunderbolt's mecha designs went downhill so fast. We started with a reach for realism, heft and bulk, having a fantastic darker redesign of the OG granddaddy RX-78 with the amazing Full Armor Gundam and a crazy booster monster in the Psycho Zaku. We went from that to...this:
mecha.png

I can kinda see what they were going with for the "Perfect Gundam" (Left, piloted by Zeon hero Daryl Lorenz), even if I think the concept of mixing Zeon and Feddie tech was way better done with the Moon Gundam. However, it just doesn't do it for me like the FA Gundam does. Also the Atlas Gundam (Right, piloted by Io Flemming) just sucks to me. It looks like something a kid would've doodled in his Nickelodeon Rocket Power school notebook in the 90's (or maybe that'd be the Psycho Zaku lol). I just don't like how spindly it looks and how its thrusters were designed, and seeing a Gundam on skates is more funny than cool to me.

Thoughts?
 
Honestly while I love the bulky more realistic looking mecha I'd love if Bandai would start putting out more kits of the weird shit that starts getting made late UC, but that would require them to actually release anime for late UC and not just continue the endless Feddie vs. Zeek wank. I'm just a big fan of weird/unique designs in general though, so even stuff like their new HG Gundam Barbataurus perks my interest.
 
I've been wanting to pick up a new RG or MG but prices have shot up $40-50 for most kits near me. (The new RG Hi-Nu is $70. IMO that's insane and I can't justify that for a 1/144 scale kit.)

Also, anyone put together the new Perfect Grade RX-78? I won't lie, I'm really tempted. The original PG was one of my first kits and hasn't aged well. An updated one with lightning and all the new gimmicks appeals to me.
 
Good news! I found a way to buy a great bootleg of the FA-G (Full Armor Gundam) without giving money indirectly to the CCP! You do have to pay for shipping, though, but the price is balanced out:
View attachment 2644786
I checked around and apparently the site's legit. Everything is from Hong Kong so even the cheapest option will cost you $60+ but hey, at least it's not the going asking price for the Ver Ka itself (well over a hundred dollars before tax and shipping). I bought one and once it comes in I'll tell you guys how it goes.

Honestly I'm disappointed Thunderbolt's mecha designs went downhill so fast. We started with a reach for realism, heft and bulk, having a fantastic darker redesign of the OG granddaddy RX-78 with the amazing Full Armor Gundam and a crazy booster monster in the Psycho Zaku. We went from that to...this:
View attachment 2644805
I can kinda see what they were going with for the "Perfect Gundam" (Left, piloted by Zeon hero Daryl Lorenz), even if I think the concept of mixing Zeon and Feddie tech was way better done with the Moon Gundam. However, it just doesn't do it for me like the FA Gundam does. Also the Atlas Gundam (Right, piloted by Io Flemming) just sucks to me. It looks like something a kid would've doodled in his Nickelodeon Rocket Power school notebook in the 90's (or maybe that'd be the Psycho Zaku lol). I just don't like how spindly it looks and how its thrusters were designed, and seeing a Gundam on skates is more funny than cool to me.

Thoughts?
Samueldecal is legit. I think that's the site I used to buy the DM Heavyarms. As for Thunderbolt, yeah the Atlas is an off-the-wall design. It looks like it would be a Victory Gundam prototype imo. The skis are goofy but they made everything about the Atlas work in the anime. It's about as strange as Unicorn if you think about it. But, the Unicorn works in motion as well and has conventional propulsion. Transforming mobile suits make more sense than both the Atlas and Unicorn.

Honestly while I love the bulky more realistic looking mecha I'd love if Bandai would start putting out more kits of the weird shit that starts getting made late UC, but that would require them to actually release anime for late UC and not just continue the endless Feddie vs. Zeek wank. I'm just a big fan of weird/unique designs in general though, so even stuff like their new HG Gundam Barbataurus perks my interest.
I mentioned earlier in the thread how Bandai could streamline kit development. They did really well with the 40th anniversary kits and the revive kits - they just need to continue that for HG. Then, the Universal Maintenance Plan could release frame kits, armor kits, and weapon kits separately. A lot of the kits we get are retools of older kits. PBandai is very guilty of this when the exclusivity should warrant a better product. Weird suits are awesome and that's why I love Turn A Gundam (the Turn X and Gold Sumo are my favorites).

I've been wanting to pick up a new RG or MG but prices have shot up $40-50 for most kits near me. (The new RG Hi-Nu is $70. IMO that's insane and I can't justify that for a 1/144 scale kit.)

Also, anyone put together the new Perfect Grade RX-78? I won't lie, I'm really tempted. The original PG was one of my first kits and hasn't aged well. An updated one with lightning and all the new gimmicks appeals to me.
Someone has probably reviewed it. I'd consider buying it if I didn't own the FANU Ver Ka.
 
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Sorry for the double post but there have been three HG kits announced for the upcoming GBO2 game Code Fairy. One of them is an Efreet and I swear if it's called "Pixie Killer" I will be surprised. The Efreet is set to be released as the Efreet Jager so my idea may be taking shape on its own.
 
Oh shit, didn't know there's a Gunpla thread.

I'm currently working on a MG FAZZ Ver. Ka, going for a white/blue scheme and wanna get some slides printed for it. Although I should have finished my candy RG Sazabi first :story:
 
Reddit is trash but there's some boards that aren't that bad, or at least the model kit one is pretty neat. You can post and find posts of pretty fun quality sometimes. This pic in particular got me good:
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I'm currently working on a MG FAZZ Ver. Ka, going for a white/blue scheme and wanna get some slides printed for it. Although I should have finished my candy RG Sazabi first :story:
>RG Sazabi
>MG FAZZ
I see you like your robits THICC. A man of culture.
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>RG Sazabi
>MG FAZZ
I see you like your robits THICC. A man of culture.
Yeah, I personally prefer mecha that either goes full on "Fuck IRL, we're strapping thirteen attachments to your suit" like the Perfectibility or organic looking ones, like Zoids.

A lot of the middle ground ones, mostly grunts, lack that for me. For example, I find the regular Zaku boring but love both the Warrior and Psycho versions. Which I highly recommend, at least their MG versions.
 
I think I've found my people...
Hello to all my fellow plastic crack enthusiasts!

I just finished my PG strike gundam I got at a local flea market for $100, the vendor bought a local hobby stores inventory when they went out of business for pennies on the dollar so he didn't know how much he could have gotten for it. All the other kits were either trash HG's or MG's I have already built

It's the first PG I've built, and damn I love the detail level, and the mechanical parts on the frame that let armor pieces slide independently.

I'm a huge fan of heavy arms gundam (I have the MG EW, the MG regular, and the MG+ Eigel unit on my desk) and I really hope that kit gets a PG in the future because I would definitely shell out full price for that.
 

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I'm a huge fan of heavy arms gundam (I have the MG EW, the MG regular, and the MG+ Eigel unit on my desk) and I really hope that kit gets a PG in the future because I would definitely shell out full price for that.
Dude the perspective of that picture makes it look like it's as big as a person, as if you bought the world's greatest Halloween costume. lol
Wish I could find a doddering old seller who underpriced forgotten plastic gold like you did. Great find, mate, and fantastic price.

The USA Gundam store guy said in a livestream that Bandai is moving towards producing more MG's and RG's because they sell more than the PG's and bigger kits. That, and that shipping costs are getting so insane (a $3000 shipping crate is now costing $18k to $20k+ ). Also personally I think they want to prioritize RG kits because they're impossible for bootleggers to reproduce simply due to the amount of detail and number of parts. So sadly I don't think we'll be getting a Heavy Arms PG anytime soon (although that would be kickass).

I traveled around where I am looking to see if there were any new Bandai kits and it's all bust. I saw one place with the new HG Nightingale which was fantastic but Bandai went nuts and priced it at $82. Mind you, it's bigger and bulkier than the Penelope or Xi, both of which I think were stupidly overpriced even for their size. But I just can't bring myself to shell out almost a hundred bucks for a single kit that's not PG or something.

Yeah, I personally prefer mecha that either goes full on "Fuck IRL, we're strapping thirteen attachments to your suit" like the Perfectibility or organic looking ones, like Zoids.
That's why I pre-ordered the RG Hi Nu, because it's the perfect blend of sleak Gundam designs mixed with that old school overpowered bulk. Zoids can be a lot of fun, too. A fan translation of a Zoids RPG for the GBA was recently released if you want to check it out: https://cdromance.com/gba-roms/zoids-saga-fuzors-english-patched/
zoids.jpg

A lot of the middle ground ones, mostly grunts, lack that for me. For example, I find the regular Zaku boring but love both the Warrior and Psycho versions.
If it wasn't as rare as gold and priced so high I'd need to remortgage my entire life I'd buy a Psycho Zaku in a heartbeat, even if it is just a Zaku II kit with a few additional bits. I'd buy a pack of 1/100 scale figurines used for architecture models, cut up one of their limbs, put little toothpicks painted silver on the nubs, sand and paint up the body into a Zeon suit...
Honestly I prefer the FA Gundam's design more so I was happy I could find a great bootleg that didn't require me to sell a kidney to buy, but the overall aesthetic of the Psycho Zaku with the massive backpack boosters is just Aces. Plus it's emphasis on offensive weaponry is killer.

If you're looking for a superior, bulkier and dominant Zaku kit then see if you can find the MG Geara Doga. I'm huge for the design of this one but again, it's rare and as expensive as a PG these days:
BEAST.png
 
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Dude the perspective of that picture makes it look like it's as big as a person, as if you bought the world's greatest Halloween costume. lol

Lol I didn't even realize that, I do my work on that old wooden Ikea table in that room because no one cares if I spill paint on the table, and there's tons of natural light.

I think they'll always be at least one new PG a year, but they always tend to be the MC's Gundam so I know heavy arms is a bit of a pipe dream.

This pic shows the scale a bit better, it's still freaking huge, but sadly not life size.
 

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