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

[Troonos]

Not going to lie my favorite kits are the RG kits. They're every bit as complex as the MG kits and typically have great articulation as well as gimmicks like opening cockpits and rocket boosters. The thing I really like about them is the smaller scale makes it more challenging to assemble than the MG. To date my favorite kit to build was the RG Sinanju, it looks fantastic but it's also one of my least favorites now that it's done. The thing is a hand grenade, you even look at it wrong and something is going to fall off of it, it has great articulation but the joints are not strong enough to hold a pose and it is so back heavy it won't stand on its own.

Are there any RG kits that don't have the hand grenade issue at all? Which ones are the sturdiest?

 

[Weebsperg]

Are there any RG kits that don't have the hand grenade issue at all? Which ones are the sturdiest?

From the reviews I've seen all the RG kits from #28 Tallgeese on are pretty decent. Everything before the Tallgeese has a very flimsy internal skeleton that gets weaker over time. I've built a RG Zaki II that has the skeleton in it, it's way more detailed than the HG kits and has way more articulation but has become a little floppy in the past year.

 

[Smolrolls]

Then it's on to trains and the real autism takes hold.

Don't forget tanks, and a shower in the gas chambers.

 

[Gar For Archer]

Finished priming the armor parts (after a rinse in dish soap and water), definitely was a learning experience. I didn't realize until afterwards that I could actually change the PSI on my compressor, so I was spraying at something absurdly high like 35-40psi. Pretty sure I used more primer than I actually needed to because of that. I also fucked up on one of the shoulder parts by spraying on WAY too thick, though fortunately the primer wipes away pretty easy with "good" lacquer thinner on a rag without damaging the plastic.

I'll be painting it later tonight, but so far I'm really loving the airbrush. MUCH cleaner and less wasteful than spray paint.

 

[Appletun]

starting that moon gundam build i keep trying to get started on but running into issues with, i think i can finally get it done this time around

 

[SuiSui1]

I just find the new Wing Zero Kai to be a beautiful and well design kit (Though the bird mode and shield are a bit gimmicky)

not mine but just showing how a nice of a kit it is.

 

[Optimus Prime]

Are there any RG kits that don't have the hand grenade issue at all? Which ones are the sturdiest?

The greatest irony of the Real Grade kits is that the less they have of the pre-built advanced joint inner frame, originally the key selling point of the line, the better they are.

For the RG Sazabi, the only places the advanced joints exist are on non-load bearing components like the front/side skirt armor joints and the folded mountings that are the core of the shoulders. Everything else is assembled piece-by-piece like a miniature Master Grade, so you still have a fully built inner frame in the end. RG Nu is much the same, with the addition of six double-hinge panels that are only for the Fin Funnels, and these are not load-bearing either as the funnels lock together using tabs in one of the funnel body halves instead of anything connected directly to the advanced joint in the middle.

 

[Gar For Archer]

Weeeew, just finished painting the Reincar and it came out a lot better than I expected. Pics are kinda shitty cuz I'm tired. Airbrush painting is honestly really fun (though a bit time-consuming with the cleanup), I definitely look forward to painting more kits in the future.

Still gotta add some more painted details (I gloss coated it with something that comes out of a spray paint can, hopefully I can use enamels on that without issue) and panel lines.

 

[Sanshain]

Weeeew, just finished painting the Reincar and it came out a lot better than I expected. Pics are kinda shitty cuz I'm tired. Airbrush painting is honestly really fun (though a bit time-consuming with the cleanup), I definitely look forward to painting more kits in the future.

Still gotta add some more painted details (I gloss coated it with something that comes out of a spray paint can, hopefully I can use enamels on that without issue) and panel lines.
View attachment 1870302View attachment 1870307

Not bad at all for a beginner. The gold looks a little rough, though. I'm guessing you're using Mr Color Gold? That stuff is strange; different from most other Metallics. It takes a long time to dry and it clumps up very quickly if layered, exactly like I can see it's done here. Next time try spraying only very light coats (like, just barely a dusting) and letting it dry before adding another layer.

Alternatively there's a point where the layer of gold ought to 'film up' in a way, as if at a certain paint density all the gold particles simultaneously align together and create a smooth, unbroken surface. Anymore on top ruins the effect almost instantly, though. I have no idea why that paint acts the way it does; I have literally dozens of metallic paints and it's the only one that works that way.

 

[Gar For Archer]

Not bad at all for a beginner. The gold looks a little rough, though. I'm guessing you're using Mr Color Gold? That stuff is strange; different from most other Metallics. It takes a long time to dry and it clumps up very quickly if layered, exactly like I can see it's done here. Next time try spraying only very light coats (like, just barely a dusting) and letting it dry before adding another layer.

Alternatively there's a point where the layer of gold ought to 'film up' in a way, as if at a certain paint density all the gold particles simultaneously align together and create a smooth, unbroken surface. Anymore on top ruins the effect almost instantly, though. I have no idea why that paint acts the way it does; I have literally dozens of metallic paints and it's the only one that works that way.

Assuming you're talking about the gold thruster bells, those are hand-painted with Testors enamels so that's why they're looking a bit rough. I may well strip and repaint them with the airbrush.

 

[Sanshain]

Assuming you're talking about the gold thruster bells, those are hand-painted with Testors enamels so that's why they're looking a bit rough. I may well strip and repaint them with the airbrush.

I mean the gold parts on the shoulders and upper arms. For some context, this is what that color (or one very similar) looks like with a perfect application.

 

[EyelessMC]

I just find the new Wing Zero Kai to be a beautiful and well design kit (Though the bird mode and shield are a bit gimmicky)
View attachment 1869312

not mine but just showing how a nice of a kit it is.

I like the look of it but I don't get why he went matte with the black and gloss with the red, gold and white. I can understand the wings being matte to give it a nice contrast and the illusion of a kind of organic feel, like feathers (which he panted really well) but the black on the body is so bland in comparison and that's like half the color of the kit. Also that yellow going into orange is great. Gives it an almost hot look, like a raven mixed with a phoenix

Weeeew, just finished painting the Reincar and it came out a lot better than I expected. Pics are kinda shitty cuz I'm tired. Airbrush painting is honestly really fun (though a bit time-consuming with the cleanup), I definitely look forward to painting more kits in the future.

Still gotta add some more painted details (I gloss coated it with something that comes out of a spray paint can, hopefully I can use enamels on that without issue) and panel lines.
View attachment 1870302View attachment 1870307

That came out badass, mate. I really like what you did. Just one more piece of evidence that airbrushing will always be superior. If I had more money and time I'd definitely get into that.
Although panel lines are usually done before the finishing gloss but I guess you did something more advanced anyway.

 

[SuiSui1]

I like the look of it but I don't get why he went matte with the black and gloss with the red, gold and white. I can understand the wings being matte to give it a nice contrast and the illusion of a kind of organic feel, like feathers (which he panted really well) but the black on the body is so bland in comparison and that's like half the color of the kit. Also that yellow going into orange is great. Gives it an almost hot look, like a raven mixed with a phoenix

Hmm, so you are say that this color scheme would be better?

 

[Thundershlock]

I just find the new Wing Zero Kai to be a beautiful and well design kit (Though the bird mode and shield are a bit gimmicky)
View attachment 1869312

not mine but just showing how a nice of a kit it is.

The Kai variations all look nice but I feel kinda cheated out of the TV versions of some of them. The TV show versions look more scifi like where as the EW/Kai designs are more like the pilots all took their bots in for racecar body work.

Even then, it is quite lovely. Jut wish they'd redesign the show versions to reflect this look too.

 

[Hot Dog]

The Kai variations all look nice but I feel kinda cheated out of the TV versions of some of them. The TV show versions look more scifi like where as the EW/Kai designs are more like the pilots all took their bots in for racecar body work.

Even then, it is quite lovely. Jut wish they'd redesign the show versions to reflect this look too.

I disliked the original Heavyarms design for whatever reason and think the EW version is 100% better in every way. Still sort of stupid having a primarily ammo based Gundam, at least give the dude a Saber or something. The wrist knife doesn't cut it.

OG Tallgeese from the series is easily the best non Gundam mech in that series. Easily on my short list of models to get.

 

[Thundershlock]

I disliked the original Heavyarms design for whatever reason and think the EW version is 100% better in every way. Still sort of stupid having a primarily ammo based Gundam, at least give the dude a Saber or something. The wrist bayonet doesn't cut it.

I did like the bayonet, and I'd keep it, but a spare sabre for close combat, or adding a heat element tot he bayonette would have been nice.

My favorites were always Wing/Zero, Deathscythe/Hell and Shenlong/Altron

Of course then there's always the Sagittarius mobile suit.
No idea if this is a custom gunpla or something that was actually made into a model but it's so batshit I can't help but kindd of love it.

But as for the kai series, TV deathscythe hell would look really interesting with some new color schemes. I for one really liked how it fit the gothic knight meets grim reaper. EW took that design a little too far, the bat wings are too on the nose for me, but it still looks cool.

 

[Hot Dog]

I did like the bayonet, and I'd keep it, but a spare sabre for close combat, or adding a heat element tot he bayonette would have been nice.

My favorites were always Wing/Zero, Deathscythe/Hell and Shenlong/Altron

Of course then there's always the Sagittarius mobile suit.
No idea if this is a custom gunpla or something that was actually made into a model but it's so batshit I can't help but kindd of love it.

View attachment 1872643

But as for the kai series, TV deathscythe hell would look really interesting with some new color schemes. I for one really liked how it fit the gothic knight meets grim reaper. EW took that design a little too far, the bat wings are too on the nose for me, but it still looks cool.

Wing got done dirty by just being a cut down Wing Zero. Deathscythe Hell is always a good pick. I don't really have any feelings on Altron and don't really have any memories of anyone picking Sandrock as their favorite due to Quatra being a wuss until he snaps in Wing Zero.

One thing that was striking to me was in Dynasty Warriors: Gundam was how small the Gundam Wing suits were compared to everyone else. Not sure if it was to scale in comparison to the other series but they were legit almost half the size.

Hmm, so you are say that this color scheme would be better?
View attachment 1872047

Wing Zero in Master Gundam colors looks cool as fuck. Hell yes.

 

[SuiSui1]

It's hard to believe that MS: GW was released in the US over 21 years ago and over 26 in japan. So I appreciate that Bandai shows some favor towards an older series. My favorite GW non-gundam suit would have to be Virgo, the black design as well as it's armaments made it a formable mass production weapon.



There are a lot of cool suits, but the Wing zero EW and Astrays are IMHO the best suits to mod or color.

 

[Thundershlock]

Wing got done dirty by just being a cut down Wing Zero. Deathscythe Hell is always a good pick. I don't really have any feelings on Altron and don't really have any memories of anyone picking Sandrock as their favorite due to Quatra being a wuss until he snaps in Wing Zero.

He's not a wuss at all. Not wanting to kill, or being pacifistic doesn't mean you're not willing to fight for essential freedom under tyranny which was what the entire show was about. Since the show is about war and essentially advocating pacifism.

NOT that the show's representation of pacifism was at all practical but the fact that Quatre didn't want to fight, but did anyway because he had to, is sort of like a biblical thing. The meek will inherit the earth.

Men who carry a sword but only do so when they have to. That's sort of the entire character. Still, overall the show comes down to being a convoluted mess with bits and pieces of it, like Trieze being a magnificent bastard, and the creator was a nutcase anyway.

I appreciat what the guy was trying to do, the message he was trying to put forth, but the show is like, the Ken Penders of Gundam. It's the fuckin' N'Sync of Gunda.

But that said, at least it isn't the One direction of gundam.

(SIDE NOTE: Linkara's idea of Pacifism as depicted in Lightbringer came from Gundam Wing.)

It's hard to believe that MS: GW was released in the US over 21 years ago and over 26 in japan. So I appreciate that Bandai shows some favor towards an older series. My favorite GW non-gundam suit would have to be Virgo, the black design as well as it's armaments made it a formable mass production weapon.

GW is such a 90s anime, right down to the corded TV phones. Like they wanted to be futuristic but didn't want to go too far.

I sort of took it as society collapses due to war sometime in the 21st century which after reformation lead to the colonies being built.

 

[Hot Dog]

He's not a wuss at all. Not wanting to kill, or being pacifistic doesn't mean you're not willing to fight for essential freedom under tyranny which was what the entire show was about. Since the show is about war and essentially advocating pacifism.

NOT that the show's representation of pacifism was at all practical but the fact that Quatre didn't want to fight, but did anyway because he had to, is sort of like a biblical thing. The meek will inherit the earth.

Men who carry a sword but only do so when they have to. That's sort of the entire character. Still, overall the show comes down to being a convoluted mess with bits and pieces of it, like Trieze being a magnificent bastard, and the creator was a nutcase anyway.

I appreciat what the guy was trying to do, the message he was trying to put forth, but the show is like, the Ken Penders of Gundam. It's the fuckin' N'Sync of Gunda.

But that said, at least it isn't the One direction of gundam.

(SIDE NOTE: Linkara's idea of Pacifism as depicted in Lightbringer came from Gundam Wing.)

GW is such a 90s anime, right down to the corded TV phones. Like they wanted to be futuristic but didn't want to go too far.

I sort of took it as society collapses due to war sometime in the 21st century which after reformation lead to the colonies being built.

I don't disagree on Quatre's ideals, bravery, or character arc but we were watching the show as children and everyone that I watched with just wanted to watch giant robots blow shit up, hence the popularity disparity for Sandrock. Gundam has merits that age well and I think Wing's popularity is justified, even if it gets convoluted and goes over the head of the target audience.