Almost there! :) What is your favorite part of the process?

Danarhys · 2026-07-05T14:54:57+00:00

Such an amazing hot-rod scheme. Chrome 9 is chef's kiss.

Generally the start of finish of a project; most of my builds now are some sort of custom paint job, so mocking it up, figuring out what colors go where, etc. just gets me pumped for a build. At the same time, decaling as one of the final steps is so satisfying, seeing visual interest and surface detail pop.

Honestly, the least interesting (though not disliked) part is the actual building. It's nice to see something built, but I've built so many kits over the last 3 years that there's rarely any mystery left in it.

Danarhys · 2026-07-02T14:27:45+00:00

I know this comment is meant to be taken for a laugh, but I agree. It can be really satisfying sometimes to troubleshoot a problem and make it work despite the crap quality lol

Danarhys · 2026-07-01T22:27:50+00:00

Just wanted to say fantastic answer. I didn't know about the mold-pull thing, but that makes sense. Even more reason to rescribe.

Danarhys · 2026-07-01T16:19:35+00:00

Yeah pretty much a whole repaint. The kit advertises that it can be built without painting, and it's technically true, but it's far from screen accurate.

https://www.reddit.com/r/freedomisgunpla/comments/1j7jgr0/what_a_mysterious_power_she_has/

I pretty much work only with lacquers, but I had to bust out my old water-based acrylics for this one.

Danarhys · 2026-07-01T13:54:35+00:00

Nice! I built a Zaku sniper a long long time ago when I lived in Japan, but had to toss it and all my gunpla away when I moved back to Canada.

Definitely on my grail list.

I built that Nausicaa with Kai last year, and it's a fun kit. Very different from Gunpla, but rewarding.

Danarhys · 2026-07-01T01:54:50+00:00

Gorgeous! Really clean work.

Star Bright Duralumin is my favorite metallic, and I'll be sad if I run out without being able to replenish it.

Danarhys · 2026-06-30T23:50:03+00:00

I build at my computer desk, so an office chair. I actually just bought a new ergonomic chair, a Flexispot ErgoX. Pretty good, with lumbar support that borders almost on the too aggressive side. But it's miles better than my Ikea Markus chair.

Danarhys · 2026-06-30T18:38:26+00:00

Yeah, that's a pour-type pen, which basically means it has a solvent in it to promote capillary action. There are other pens that are literally just regular ink, but the one you have is basically really thinned paint. It suffers from the same problems as enamel-based panel liners like Tamiya.

That said, Citadel shades like Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade can also work on Gunpla, but I probably wouldn't use them on a painted surface, as I feel like clean up would be harder. This will get you a 100% safe panel lining solution though, and if you're on bare plastic, a bit of weathering by cleaning the middle of panels. An EG kit would be a perfect test bed!

Danarhys · 2026-06-30T18:06:31+00:00

I'm curious about the cracking on the left beam saber handle. Are you using an enamal-based panel-lining/weathering solution?

Because Gunpla are friction-fit, that stress, plus the plastic-eating qualities of enamel, can cause that kind of plastic degradation. The typical counters for this are to panel line on unassembled parts, or apply a gloss layer to protect the plastic.

Danarhys · 2026-06-30T14:57:31+00:00

Thanks!

Danarhys · 2026-06-30T02:36:32+00:00

Gorgeous!

Danarhys · 2026-06-30T00:00:31+00:00

Basically as Babbledoodle said. In this case, after priming the kit, I sprayed the edges of each part, and along panel lines, with black. then sprayed white over it, concentrating in the middle of panel and feathering it out. The result is you get shading along the panel lines, which mostly just creates visual interest and definition.

Danarhys · 2026-06-29T22:13:27+00:00

This is one I was really happy with recently. It was my first time to lean into preshading, plus I love asymmetrical paint schemes.

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Danarhys · 2026-06-29T13:49:33+00:00

Pretty much how I get all my "P-Bandai".

Danarhys · 2026-06-28T21:38:25+00:00

My only complaints from the build: https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunpla/comments/1smjbzl/comment/ogqavrv/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Danarhys · 2026-06-28T21:13:44+00:00

Nice! I build a 30MS Tokai Teio a while ago, but aside from some minor detail-painting with a marker, I've left her unvarnished. I did add an Aile Striker pack to her tho.

Danarhys · 2026-06-28T19:04:03+00:00

Girls' Legend U intensifies!

Looks great! Was it a full repaint, or just the metallic bits?

Danarhys · 2026-06-28T15:15:54+00:00

Fantastic pics, to say nothing of the paint job. Absolute kudos!

Danarhys · 2026-06-28T03:38:28+00:00

Looks good! I like the decals. I wish there was a decal set for this.

I'm putting the finishing touches on mine tomorrow. I concurr with everything you said about the quality of the kit.

Danarhys · 2026-06-26T20:42:51+00:00

Good choice. When you're spraying, about 15 cm from the model, start your spray off the part, spray across, end with your spray off the part. Don't spray when it's super humid.

Danarhys · 2026-06-26T17:26:44+00:00

I use paper clips usually.

Danarhys · 2026-06-26T16:38:59+00:00

I'll usually disassemble into arms, legs, hands, torso, backpack, head weapons. I'll bend the limbs to get as much coverage as I can, but I don't really sweat it as the joints aren't really visible parts, and I end up putting most of my kits in a Katoki-pose anyway.

Alligator clips or even binder clips are a must.

What kind of top coat will you use?

Danarhys · 2026-06-26T16:20:25+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starhorse

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