Gundam Modeling Official thread - Part 5

[joshsuryana]

Before i got a cutter, i used to use nail clipper. After clipping the part out, i will use the file to file away the remaining runner part.
Do get a proper cutter, it will make life much easier.

hi thanks for the swift reply
where can I get a cheaper but proper cutter, if possible, possibly below $20?
If cannot, then, really must get the quite expensive one lol

 

[jazy1992]

hi thanks for the swift reply
where can I get a cheaper but proper cutter, if possible, possibly below $20?
If cannot, then, really must get the quite expensive one lol

your general hardware store should have them

 

[evilerniex]

hi thanks for the swift reply
where can I get a cheaper but proper cutter, if possible, possibly below $20?
If cannot, then, really must get the quite expensive one lol

either invest in a good cutter, or just use nailclipper or cheapo cutter from hardware store or daiso. i find that those below $20 ones are not much better than cheapo ones or nailclipper

 

[Albedo]

get one with the cutting edge flat, so that when u cut, there won't be much of the runner left for u to file away.

 

[JulyStork]

alright, i haven't done a kit on a long time, but seems Bandai made the decals trickier to do?

this is of a HG Full Armor Thunderbolt & the decal is a pain to apply to the point it easily got damaged

 

[-EnZo-]

guys quick question. where do u buy spray can for gundam? looking for colours like titanium and clear red with reasonable price. thanks!

 

[jazy1992]

guys quick question. where do u buy spray can for gundam? looking for colours like titanium and clear red with reasonable price. thanks!

hobbypoint should have them

 

[jarred1223]

is anyone going to AFA and pre-ordering RG Wing Zero?

 

[Blusttoy]

Okay, for those who may not know, there is a general toy sales at Takashimaya Basement 1, Orchard. There's quite a number of Gunpla kits on sales. I can't remember when this sale will end but the rough price/kit guide is as follows:

[01] HGUC GP02 - $22
[02] HGUC GM Sniper II - $20
[03] HGUC Gelgoog - $20
[04] HGUC Gelgoog Jager - $15
[05] HGUC Messala - $30
[06] HGUC Byarlant - $25
[07] HGUC Banshee (Unicorn Mode) - $18
[08] HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 2 - $20
[09] HGUC Xeku Eins - $20
[10] HGUC Nemo - $15
[11] HGUC Nemo (Desert) - $15
[12] HGUC Hambrabri - $25
[13] HGUC Rezel - $25
[14] HGUC Triple Dom - $50
[15] HGUC G3 + Rick Dom - $35
[16] HGUC Dreissen - $25
[17] HGUC Zogok - $25
[18] HGUC Thunderbolt Zaku II - $30
[19] HGUC Thunderbolt Zaku I - $25
[20] HGUC Marasai (Unicorn) - $20
[21] HGUC Gaza-C - $25
[22] HGUC Jagd DOga (Both versions) - $25

Quite a number of SEED bad guys for those SEED fans who are willing to overlook the kits crap proportions.

There's a couple of MGs as well, like the Rezel General Revil and Sinanju Stein Ver Ka, but they're priced around $98. And some other MGs but I didn't really check.

Kits which are not under special discounts, are eligible for 20% discounts. Howeverr, price-wise, I think our hobby shops are better for these normal kits.

 

[Blusttoy]

is anyone going to AFA and pre-ordering RG Wing Zero?

Bro, I don't know what the price at AFA is but when it comes to pre-ordering, I personally go for Hobby Kulture. Their pre-order price is lower than most hobby shops.

For example, RG Wing Zero PO price is SGD 31.00.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hobby-Kulture/292558207550879

 

[cocopuff]

Hi, newbie here. Is there anywhere I can get a full set of decent tools? Including the markers for panelling and sandpaper

 

[Blusttoy]

Hi, newbie here. Is there anywhere I can get a full set of decent tools? Including the markers for panelling and sandpaper

Welcome to the hobby! Investment in proper tool will ensure you're doing the proper things right from the start. Plus, good tools don't need regular replacement.

I recommend either: Hobby Art Gallery, Hobby Kulture, Orbe Station or Hobby Point for getting the tools. M Workshop is also very good, especially since the owner himself focuses on armoured vehicles, planes and ships.

You can also try craft stores such as Art Friend if you're looking for panel lines or touch-up markers from Copic/Sakura etc.

The reason why I recommend the hobby stores is because:

[1] Good selection of tools, from beginner packs to intermediate items
[2] They are quite knowledgeable about recommendation and proper use/storage of tools
[3] Decent price-to-quality, especially for trusted brands such as Tamiya and Bandai's own gunpla tools
[4] Some of them also allow you to "test" the tools, such as the time before I purchase Godhand
[5] Related merchandises in the same store, from add-on parts, model kits and decals/paint/topcoats


For sandpaper, you don't need to strictly buy form hobby shop, as they're quite expensive in my opinion. Go to any hardware stores and request for fine grit sandpapers. Make sure the sandpapers are between 1000 to 2000 grits. Any rougher and you're just scratching the plastic.

Once you're familiar with the hobby, you'll naturally find more lobangs and good deals, such as exploring to Tamiya Stargek.

 

[-EnZo-]

hobbypoint should have them

thks jazy. i went already but im looking for those bigger can spray which can be use on the kit

 

[cocopuff]

Thanks Blusttoy for the answer!

Another question. I see people talking about buying water slide decals from taobao or samuel decals.

Is there any reason other than ease (?) of application? Or are they actually additional decals not included in the original kit?

 

[jazy1992]

thks jazy. i went already but im looking for those bigger can spray which can be use on the kit

hobby grade spray cans dun come in cans bigger than those that u see @ hobbypoint. if u wan any bigger u got to get those from your general DIY stores

 

[evilerniex]

Thanks Blusttoy for the answer!

Another question. I see people talking about buying water slide decals from taobao or samuel decals.

Is there any reason other than ease (?) of application? Or are they actually additional decals not included in the original kit?

most kits dun come with water slide decals, and only provide normal stickers. stickers are ugly coz it is thick and the edge of the sticker is very obvious. water slide decals are less obvious and almost flash with the surface. with some effort, u can even make the edges totally invisible

 

[JulyStork]

What do you do when during panel lining the nib of your gundam marker slips out of the groove & makes smudges? Tissue paper & erasers just spreads the smudge even more.

 

[evilerniex]

What do you do when during panel lining the nib of your gundam marker slips out of the groove & makes smudges? Tissue paper & erasers just spreads the smudge even more.

not sure about gundam markers, but for commercial ones like sakura micron, it is easy to rub off with a soft eraser if u do it immediately. that is provided ur surface is smooth.

 

[Blusttoy]

hobby grade spray cans dun come in cans bigger than those that u see @ hobbypoint. if u wan any bigger u got to get those from your general DIY stores

To add on, those bigger-sized spray cans (such as Krylon or Anchor brands), are usually not as good as Tamiya/Mr Color spray cans, because they're meant for purposes such as spray painting large surfaces or automotive parts.

If you use them for model kits, the higher spray flow rate means that you'll get thicker coats, rougher finish and tendency to pool or uneven coats.

Furthermore, it's harder to mask as the chances of paint seeping into corner edges are higher and if you're using metallic/pearl paints, the pigments are noticeably larger.

But I'm not discouraging the use of these spray cans, because you can still get good results if you're experienced with handling them and getting just the right balance of spray distance, coat coverage, coat thickness and drying conditions.

 

[Blusttoy]

Thanks Blusttoy for the answer!

Another question. I see people talking about buying water slide decals from taobao or samuel decals.

Is there any reason other than ease (?) of application? Or are they actually additional decals not included in the original kit?

As evilerniex explained, waterslide decals are preferred as they are much, much thinner than stickers and have no noticeable edges once dried.

If you topcoat a kit with stickers, you'll notice that the area around the sticker will be slightly frosted (as the topcoat dries over the sticker) and the edges are noticeable. Something like this:

Waterslide decals are also easier to apply once you get the hang of it, because you have a time window to adjust the position of the decals when the surface is slightly moist and it wraps beautifully around curved edges.

Bandai also releases waterslide decals for certain kits and organizations (such as EFSF and Zeon sets).

If you're looking for something else, waterslide decals from third parties, such as Samuel Decals and Keiko, have designs that cannot be officially obtained from Bandai. This allows you to make kits that are from other side- stories [Like changing your GM Sniper to a White Dingo version etc) or to make your own custom unit.

But! The bad thing about waterslide is that, unlike stickers, you need to be careful about using them as they may tear easily. You can fix this by positioning the torn pieces together on the surface, and it will still look good as long as you position it well.

Also, you might want to invest in Decal setters (setters are used to chemically react with the decals to allow them to stick better to the surface and minimize decal edges) or softeners (softeners are usually used to "soften" decals, which may have hardened because of old age, or is thick. It allows decals to wrap around curves better too).

After that, topcoat is the most important to seal the decals and prevent you from accidentally scratching it off. This also makes waterslide decals better than stickers because stickers have tendency to stop sticking at the edges over time.

One last thing, other than stickers and waterslide decals, there are also dry-transfer decals. It works exactly like temporary tattoos and can often be found with MG kits.