Model Kits

[Bells]

So... what i did while the forum was out?

I got a new addiction =3

So, since this is sorta, kinda, more or less the forum's fault... here i am to try to Contaminate some of you too.

See, i always liked Model Kits. All kinds, specially the Space ones and the Military ones. But i also love Giant Robots, and there are some REALLY cool ones. So... Gundam Model Kits here i come.

Right of the bat: Where to buy. I have 3 places.

https://www.hwjapan.com/
http://www.hlj.com/
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/

3 Stores, with Paypal and Worldwide shipping.

So, i got myself 3 Models

1/144 Gundam RX 78 - 2 Prototype
http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN01311
http://www.mahq.net/models/gundam/msv/hguc1-144-rx-78-1-bclub.JPG

1/144 Vayeate
https://www.hwjapan.com/sh/ban48137d.aspx
http://plamoya.com/bmz_cache/8/82c548defba42e38eded8f17e1c17801.image.200x200.jpg

1/144 Tallgeese 2
https://www.hwjapan.com/sh/ban53441c.aspx
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2Z1BN255SP0/SvQtVpYkTVI/AAAAAAAACC4/A2F_E2YwvwQ/s320/100NCD60-27.jpg

All of these for about just under U$25 Shipping included, so, not a bad deal! All basic models and old models that are easy to put together, good for beginners!

I don't have the kits yet (the convenience of cheap n' slow mail order!) but now that i ordered them, i'm quite a bit excited. Also, i started learning more about the hobby... it's not just assembling the kits. There is sanding, clipping, gluing, painting, marking, cutting, scrapping, shaving... i actually need a tool kit now!!!

But what i'm actually thinking about is the painting part... i never done anything around model painting before. I've done some minor assembling, but no painting...

And i keep hearing about all these very specific brands of paints, thinners, brushes, markers... and the idea of being trapped to one set line of products is a bit jarring...

So, any of you guys have some experience or words of wisdom about the hobby or painting Plastic Model kits and the such?

[McTahr]

I tend to just use whatever there is at blargy Games Workshop (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/) when building my Warhammer army McDudes. (High elves.) So we're talking about a much (Much.) smaller scale, where like, painting in the lines is "detail" and gem facets make you a god among men, but I figure the concepts carry on over.
Just make sure you aren't Michael J. Fox and are willing to devote astronomical proportions of time to relatively minute features on the model itself, and you should be solid.
As a so-called Renaissance man by others, I have to say that any minor detailing, molding, sanding, or otherwise, even those requiring specific tools, are pretty much cake compared to the actual task of painting. Molding putty and a little ingenuity can pretty much get you the black and white ideal. Beyond that though? Good luck.

[Toast]

I've built a lot of zoids model kits over the years and though I haven't painted most of them, I've always been happy with Testors brand stuff, both spray and brush on. That being said, zoids are probably a lot different than gundam as far as level of detail and scale (1/72) and a lot of other little things that would probably make painting a pain compared to zoids.

Just make sure you aren't Michael J. Fox and are willing to devote astronomical proportions of time to relatively minute features on the model itself, and you should be solid.
that was always my problem. I've always had shaky hands when it comes to fine detailed anything.

[Melfice]

The Armored Core models are pretty cool too.

I have two of them myself, and they are sweet looking, and as you'd expect from the Armored Core series, the models are infinitely customizable. Well, as far as there are parts/kits out anyway...

I suggest looking into them.

[Viridis]

For Christmas a friend of mine gave me a Gundam model kit. The midget (super-deformed/chibi might be the name?) kind.

It was surprisingly fun and easy to put together.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2383368/FC8D35AE-E0FB-11DB-82BD-D6A6FCF4C80.jpg

[DarkDrgon]

I do the gundam models, I use them as apocalypse units in my Tau army (that, sadly, just sits on my shelf)

I just used cheapo acrylic paint. the kind you get at AC Moore for .49 a pot, It seems to work out fine. Just get yourself some basic colors, 3 small brushes, and a hobby knife for cleaning mold lines

[Bells]

For Christmas a friend of mine gave me a Gundam model kit. The midget (super-deformed/chibi might be the name?) kind.

It was surprisingly fun and easy to put together.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2383368/FC8D35AE-E0FB-11DB-82BD-D6A6FCF4C80.jpg

That's from the SD Gundam line (SD for Super Deformed) there are tons of these

http://plamoya.com/bmz_cache/3/3547a069e3935e43291407360b2b314c.image.280x263.jpg

And that's the only line where you can get the Gundam Sengokuden models

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jiRYUmHbL.jpg

Except for the newly launched Musou Gundams

http://images3.myeglobal.com/Photos/8307/200907180225032231710.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/_98bkppEhF_8/S4X2kfUO1-I/AAAAAAAAAmA/yh74rfRd54Y/s320/mg1.jpg

There are a ton of video tutorials on the web about painting, and i was actually getting a tad worried about having to learn to thin paint, use primer, masking with tape etc etc etc... but the results people get seem so sweet.

Also, since this chart is REALLY hard to find, i'll leave it here.

http://www.gundammad.co.uk/images/articles/sizecomp.jpg

[Bob The Mercenary]

Just make sure you aren't Michael J. Fox and are willing to devote astronomical proportions of time to relatively minute features on the model itself, and you should be solid.

Or you can do what I did, take your entire army, dip them in green paint, paint their capes red and yell "DONE!"

I really have the most fun painting warhawk riders. The colors on the wings end up just running evenly into each other and make them look more realistic. It's part of the reason I never took up 40k. Some people get insane with their detailing. Just take a look at the Golden Demon winners.

Just never put me in front of car modeling kits. You will end up with extra pieces.

[Bells]

I bought for my brother a Motorcycle kit a few years ago, i wanted it to be a good one, so i got one of the high level kits.

When we opened the box and looked at the pieces inside, we never touched again. I recall even thinking "Wait... what's that tiny rubber hose for?"

That was about 6 years ago, the box now lies on top of his closet.

[PyrosNine]

If it has that many parts then it probably can consume gas and go 50 on the freeway.

I myself have dabbled a bit with the model kits, particularly in my love, the indomitable DeathScythe.

I'd show it to you, but it's both at home and in a million pieces. My cousin found it on a shelf and thought it was cool. WITH HIS HANDS. He only thinks with his hands, sadly, dropped it on the ground, forgot it was there when he realized he wasn't supposed to be in my room, and then stepped on it as he tried to somehow not be in my room as I was walking in the door.

[TopHatAssassin]

This may go without saying, but in my younger years when putting together mecha models I quickly learned (but not quickly enough) to paint EVERYTHING before you even think of putting it together. Otherwise, unless you are incredibly skilled, you end up getting paint on parts that maybe you don't want paint on and then it doesn't look so great. And then you just decide to paint your Sandrock's hands gold, because why not?

I would suggest you make up a kind of guide for yourself or really, really think about how you're going to put all the pieces together before you start gluing. Don't try to be the king of manual dexterity and slot assembly A into assembly B when you can't really see where pin X is to slip it into slot Y.

[Amake]

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv324/immortalpictures/gundamcat.jpg

[Flarecobra]

I got some Star Wars models. Currentally I got a Y-wing, Eta-2, and a TIE Intercepter.

Personally, I'm most proud of the paint job of the Y-wing.

http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs42/f/2009/155/b/2/Y_wing3_by_10110100.jpg

Though I may have some touch-ups to do, once I get some finer brushes.

[Bells]

Hey that actually looks quite nice!

I don't know if it's the camera, but it seems to have this sort of "weathering" effect, a "dusty" feel over the silver coating, you did something to it or it's just straight on paint?

[Flarecobra]

I did that. Took some tan, thinned it down over a base coat, and applied it on the non-armored parts, then I took a toothbrush, and used that on it.

I like how it came out.

FUN TRIVIA: The silver and blue was my old high school colors. :P

[Bells]

Not reeeeally a Model Kit, but it punches the same buttons in fans

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2775/4533812665_ed752291fb.jpg

[Viridis]

You are a horrible person for not including a link for more information about that.

[Bells]

You are a horrible person for not including a link for more information about that.

That's because i was trying to spare you of the special pre-order price tag of under $50 for this gorgeous thing

http://www.ishop2go.com/productUR_001_PR_0001002_Prt_en.html

Now DIE!

http://www.ishop2go.com/images/products/UR_001/2010_4_19_19_54_56_83Oe3.JPG

[Julford Hajime]

That thing is beautiful. Both the Y-Wing and the GL model.

I've put together a handful of models, mostly the tiny 2-3 inch models and a couple HG OYW Gundam MSs.

*Waits for student loans to come in already* I really really REALLY want that GL model >.>

[Eltargrim]

So do I, but I has no monies D: especially for $30 for shipping D: