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

[Syn_32]

The absolute best way to live. Also it didn't have your GPS info maybe because you didn't take the pic with GPS locator on, which is smart. If you ever feel like you need extra protection in the future always remove the exif data. That's how we avoid stuff like this happening:

Spoiler

Mind you, you are not a creepy weirdo like most 4chan /v/ posters so this wouldn't happen to you anyway
But it's funny
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Panel lining is a hidden gem for new gunpla enthusiasts. Or any model kit builder really. Plus it really brings out the minute mechanical detailing on the kit. And you don't have to keep apologizing for the smudges. lol It happens all the time. If you prefer to remove them then you can use a microfiber cloth like those meant to clean computer screens or eye glasses from dust. Just rub it in a bit and you should be good to go.


>buying the figure instead of making the gunpla
SACRILEGE
Nice find, though. The Ez8 could do with a 2.0 of its kit anyway. How does it pose? Never had a Tamashi Nations figure before.

To emphasize your point, here's a madlad who created his own original Kshatrya statue design:

Wait a minute, I know that spear design... You're Frederick Alberta Ming who lives at 19 Xinjiangongmen Rd, Haidian District, China, 100091!
Thanks for the info on the cost of 3D printing. Didn't know it was such a huge hobby unto itself before this thread.

Yea I'm not the most social person when it comes to life in general (because I'm so disconnected from pop culture and modern reality lol) and yea, checked and location tagging is off so I should be fine (but I will keep that in mind though.)

 

[Android raptor]

>buying the figure instead of making the gunpla
SACRILEGE
Nice find, though. The Ez8 could do with a 2.0 of its kit anyway. How does it pose? Never had a Tamashi Nations figure before.

It's ok, not nearly as nice as the MSiA but it's bigger and shit, this is probably the first time in almost 20 years I've been able to buy Gundam shit at a mainstream store like target (bought my first Gundam thing ever there ironically enough, an RX-79 figure I got way back in 2001).

I'm still pretty new to gunpla but I've heard panel lining these figures like you do with kits really makes them pop so I think I'll try that.

 

[EyelessMC]

I'm still pretty new to gunpla but I've heard panel lining these figures like you do with kits really makes them pop so I think I'll try that.

Post pics once you do!

 

[CheezzyMach]

It's ok, not nearly as nice as the MSiA but it's bigger and shit, this is probably the first time in almost 20 years I've been able to buy Gundam shit at a mainstream store like target (bought my first Gundam thing ever there ironically enough, an RX-79 figure I got way back in 2001).

I'm still pretty new to gunpla but I've heard panel lining these figures like you do with kits really makes them pop so I think I'll try that.

Yeah I've bought three of these and don't think I'll be buying anymore when I can get a much better articulated Marvel Legend or HG Gundam for around the same price.

 

[Android raptor]

Yeah I'll probably only buy another if they make a suit I really like. Still if nothing else it'll be good practice panel lining and should make for some goofy pics with my little Apsaras 3.

It is more solid than a kit as well.

 

[Antarctic Hellbeast]

So I made a helmet as well and ordered the meme Exorcist kit.

Will create many reaction images with it, is the 1/100 scale barbatos worth getting?

 

[Gar For Archer]

So I made a helmet as well and ordered the meme Exorcist kit.

Will create many reaction images with it, is the 1/100 scale barbatos worth getting?

Nah, just get the MG.

 

[EyelessMC]

So I made a helmet as well and ordered the meme Exorcist kit.

Will create many reaction images with it, is the 1/100 scale barbatos worth getting?

To be clear, @Gar For Archer means the MG or Master Grade Barbatos is worth it. There are other Barbatos kits which are 1/100 scale called "RE 1/100" (not to be confused with RG)
RG and HG are in 1/144 scale whereas MG is 1/100.

 

[Antarctic Hellbeast]

To be clear, @Gar For Archer means the MG or Master Grade Barbatos is worth it. There are other Barbatos kits which are 1/100 scale called "RE 1/100" (not to be confused with RG)
RG and HG are in 1/144 scale whereas MG is 1/100.

I assumed that was what he meant since there was only one version of the 1/100 scale.
From what I googled Master grade is a little more complicated than Real grade.

 

[EyelessMC]

I assumed that was what he meant since there was only one version of the 1/100 scale.
From what I googled Master grade is a little more complicated than Real grade.

Not anymore, at least from what I've experienced. I think the RG has become more of a challenge since its complexity is amplified by how small the kits are and it can be incredibly frustrating if you don't have the patience to deal with tiny bits. Check out a building video on the RG Crossbone or Zeong and you'll see what I mean.
Barbatos will do you fine, though. It's got a great inner frame and the only iffy part is the asinine chest area, and that's really just the first part of the instructions on it because the people who drew that part into the booklet were flippered jackasses

 

[Antarctic Hellbeast]

Not anymore, at least from what I've experienced. I think the RG has become more of a challenge since its complexity is amplified by how small the kits are and it can be incredibly frustrating if you don't have the patience to deal with tiny bits. Check out a building video on the RG Crossbone or Zeong and you'll see what I mean.
Barbatos will do you fine, though. It's got a great inner frame and the only iffy part is the asinine chest area, and that's really just the first part of the instructions on it because the people who drew that part into the booklet were flippered jackasses

the Repainting videos I saw on it were amazing.

 

[Road Work Ahead]

The MG Barbatos is a pretty great kit, a buddy of mine recently got into gunpla and just finished it. He didn't have any major issues with it. The only kit I've truly hated building was the MG Full Armor ver.KA, and that's only because of the awful plastic sleeves for the joints

 

[CheezzyMach]

Yeah I'll probably only buy another if they make a suit I really like. Still if nothing else it'll be good practice panel lining and should make for some goofy pics with my little Apsaras 3.

It is more solid than a kit as well.

TBH I'm just disappointed in the line because Bandai's Gunpla line proves they can do better in terms of articulation.

Like with a Mcfarlane figure I'm much less picky about that because that company has never been known for making super posable figures to begin with. So as long as it can do the basics I'm satisfied.

But I know Bandai can do better it's the same reason why I was disappointed in Hasbro's RED Transformers line.

 

[Poyo Sato]

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I got RG Force Impulse as birthday present from my girlfriend last month. The build is pretty awesome. For a "combiner" mech, this guy is really solid. The articulation is great, as expected from recent RG. It's more detailed than the MG. Altough to be fair, the MG is more than a decade old kit.

The problem I have with this kit is it's weight distribution. Given the backpack, it's very back heavy. So make it stand and do some poses without action base can be a chore. Not that it can't be solved by blue tack though.

To be clear, @Gar For Archer means the MG or Master Grade Barbatos is worth it. There are other Barbatos kits which are 1/100 scale called "RE 1/100" (not to be confused with RG)
RG and HG are in 1/144 scale whereas MG is 1/100.

The 1/100 Barbatos is not a RE/100 line. It's just a 1/100 HG. The Lupus Rex, with Vidar and Bael IIRC, have 1/100 kits in Full Mechanic line. But I don't know what set it aparts from other 1/100 non-MG kits.

 

[EyelessMC]

I decided that I want to get the Xi Gundam instead of the Chicken because I like the design more and it doesn't seem as floppy. However, I really like the little pilot figures that come with MGs and RGs so I went and tried to buy some cheap miniatures just to establish the scale of the Xi Gundam on the shelf once I get it.
Long story short, I mistook 1:50 scale for 1:150 scale and now I've got a bunch of giants.

I got RG Force Impulse as birthday present from my girlfriend last month.

Your girlfriend is amazing and you did a fantastic job on this. Definitely one of the better RGs recently despite the silly gimmick. Makes me excited for the Hi Nu Gundam RG that's coming out soon.

 

[Celestial Being]

Built my first SD. Was a really enjoyable quick build and I actually love how it came together.

I want the MG Sazabi so badly to go on the opposite side of my Nu Gundam but it is such an expensive kit right now.

 

[Antarctic Hellbeast]

I see all these different cool gundam designs and then there's me, happy with just my custom Barbatos.

 

[Moguro Fukuzou]

So I didn't end up picking up the machinedramon kit for my birthday due to other things catching my interest, but I did receive some kits as gifts from my family. Specifically, they got me two of those Haropla kits (the ball and Hello Kitty) along with the HG Zeta Revive vers and the HG Baund Doc. The Baund Doc comes in a huge box bigger than some MG so I can only imagine how big he'll be fully built.

I'm still in the middle of build the HG Reborns Gundam so it'll be a bit before I get to any of them. If I was to give my quick thoughts on the Reborns kit, it's pretty okay though the stickers are some what annoying. Love the design though so I can't hate it, just wish it got as much love as the exia did with its MG versions. Fingers crossed with them putting out those impressive new MG 00 kits the Reborns has a chance of getting one.

 

[Antarctic Hellbeast]

Was wondering how would one go about painting a gunpla a matte, non shiny color.

Don't like how Exorcist is super shiny compared to barbatos or any actual Gunpla by default as it really cheapens the look of the kit since the promo art is not half as shiny on the blue parts of the kit.

An example review someone else made showing what I mean:

On the other hand Barbatos is pretty neat, been sketching the repainting of the color scheme I want before I do anything like prime parts.
Since Im no master painter and am a beginner with gunpla.

Felt the 3D modeling was power leveling and against forum rules.

 

[EyelessMC]

Was wondering how would one go about painting a gunpla a matte, non shiny color.

Don't like how Exorcist is super shiny compared to barbatos or any actual Gunpla by default as it really cheapens the look of the kit since the promo art is not half as shiny on the blue parts of the kit.

I have improved my modeling technique and have modeled more armor for her I have yet to print.
Can post it if anyone is interested. Not going to shit up the thread with OT stuff.

You can just post it in spoiler tags like

Spoiler: this

SPOILED

But yeah definitely post your stuff, and good find on the vid. As for matte, I say buy a can of Tamiya Clear Matte (make sure it's for plastic and not polycarbwhatever),take your kit apart limb-by-limb, buy some alligator clips, clip the different parts on the clips and then wait until it is not windy outside to gently spray the matte on the parts in short but careful quick strokes all around it. Try not to overspray or waste the spray.

If you need to, once you have let it sit for the day, if it needs another coat then do it again. Tamiya is a good spray so you don't typically need to but it's up to you and what you use.

The same principal behind spray painting a kit is behind spraying matte. The top coat is basically a kind of paint anyway.

EDIT: Actually the skin part of the kit doesn't look bad so you might just want to matte spray the clothing parts and maybe the hair
Don't matte the clear parts. It makes them look like garbage.
Also if you want to matte the Barbatos then I suggest taking out the pins so their metallic sheen isn't dulled by the matte. I've never matte sprayed a Gundam with the foil eye stickers on already so I don't know what to suggest there.