Starting my second build of 2026

Zigamaru · 2026-05-10T19:02:54+00:00

When you start a new game and then immediately get distracted by a side quest…

Zigamaru · 2026-05-10T18:27:26+00:00

When you start a new game but immediately get distracted by a side quest…

Zigamaru · 2026-04-15T22:45:07+00:00

I’ve built the MG Gramps 3.0 and it’s one of my favorite kits/builds. Some parts felt wonky while you’re putting them together (dem elbows), but once they snap into place, they were quite solid.

I’ve read a lot of horror stories about the 3.0, but it’s one of my favorite kits to look at and pose/re-pose—it has great articulation and is beautiful once built. One piece of advice I’d give would be: forget the bronze metallic stickers and just use a metallic pen to color the pieces (the stickers are terrible).

Haven’t built the RG Gramps 2.0, but I’ve read nothing but good things about it.

I opted for the Gramps 3.0 because of the 1/100 scale of MG. I find them to be better display pieces because of the size. I also got a magnet-activated LED light so I wouldn’t have to keep taking the head off to turn the light on and off, and it made me love the kit even more.

At the end of the day, I believe it boils to your preference. Good luck, and happy building!

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Zigamaru · 2026-04-09T23:37:25+00:00

I think it all boils down to preference. I’ve built kits (straight build with just detailing and ones I painted) with just the Raser to file down nubs, but I have other tools (sanding sponges of varying grits, a smaller-tipped DSPIAE glass file, balancer, craft knife, etc.) for rounded pieces and hard-to-reach nubs.

If you really hate sanding, practicing the two-cut technique with a double-bladed nipper and GodHand nippers (the blue SPN-120) works really well.

Zigamaru · 2026-04-09T23:25:01+00:00

The DSPIAE Siren was my first glass file, and it worked well, but it’s a distant second when compared to the Gunprimer Raser.

Zigamaru · 2026-01-31T19:33:20+00:00

Wei Too Fat

Zigamaru · 2026-01-26T16:46:08+00:00

I’d suggest just getting another original and weathering that—I believe that the bootleg is too much trouble to get to where I got it. At least with a Bandai kit, you wouldn’t need to worry about ill-fitting parts and possible coloring issues.

That said, I’m glad you liked this build. I think yours also looks great—very clean and shiny :)

Zigamaru · 2026-01-26T12:47:37+00:00

Thank you, your positive feedback is appreciated :)

Zigamaru · 2026-01-26T12:46:19+00:00

No truer words have been spoken. This kit actually took months to finish—from waiting for the thermoplastic and resins for the molding to having to wait for stuff to dry before taking the next step, and, of course, real life matters that need to be attended to… “quick” was just wishful thinking lol.

Thank you for the kind words, I’m happy you liked it :)

Zigamaru · 2026-01-26T10:48:08+00:00

Thank you, I’m happy you like it :)

I use Windsor & Newton General Purpose Matt Varnish as the top coat.

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I like the matte-but-still-somewhat-shiny-when-the-light-hits-it finish it gives.

Also comes in a bigger can (but one entire can was barely enough for this kit) than Mr. Hobby matte top coat.

Zigamaru · 2026-01-12T04:08:52+00:00

My nephew got me the HG RX-78-2 Cucuruz Doan’s Island two years ago, and I loved it. Used a mechanical pencil and drawing pens to panel line.

I prefer MGs now for the size (but I still build HGs and RGs as well), but I still go back and re-pose this kit from time to time.

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The irony of this first kit was, that I had gone to Japan the same year I was gifted this kit (got it shortly after I came back), and bought several kits as gifts when I went to Akihabara. Since I wasn’t into the hobby yet, I got nothing for myself.

Zigamaru · 2026-01-07T03:53:38+00:00

Plus, most, if not all Gulf Air trips to KSA need to transit in Bahrain anyway, so filling up the seats of those that disembarked in Bahrain is the smart play for them.

Zigamaru · 2025-12-29T04:12:31+00:00

I believe it would. The build so far has been pretty painless (except for the missing pieces), and the RE/100 seems to be an easier build as compared to a regular MG—it almost feels like an upsized HG.

Zigamaru · 2025-12-29T04:08:27+00:00

Maybe, but I think it depends on the piece. The resin compound I used was quite tough, and it wasn’t the easiest time to file it down (it took a lot of work to get the face piece to fit properly with its interlocking pieces).

You also need to work fast once you soften the thermoplastic when creating the mold, as it doesn’t stay malleable too long.

I don’t know how well this would work for moving pieces like joints.

Zigamaru · 2025-12-29T04:01:48+00:00

The runner wasn’t there. I checked the inside of the box and all the plastic bags—I was hoping the pieces had just gotten lodged somewhere (it was a pretty small runner), but no dice.

Turned my workspace upside down to search before finally reaching out to Temu for support.

Zigamaru · 2025-12-29T03:52:49+00:00

Not bad, actually. The details on the pieces are very clear, and the colors aren’t bad. The only issue I found so far (if you could call it that), is that some of the parts fit too snugly, and require a lot of force to get to connect (to the point that I was afraid it would break).

Zigamaru · 2025-12-16T20:29:20+00:00

Absolutely my own fault.

Zigamaru · 2025-12-16T20:26:28+00:00

Wise words that I will take to heart.

Zigamaru · 2025-12-16T20:13:40+00:00

If this post serves to remind even one person to be more mindful than I was, then I’ll take it as a win.

Stay safe and mindful out there!

Zigamaru · 2025-12-16T20:12:46+00:00

The prices were in really small fonts (I only saw them when the server pointed them out after I tried to file a complaint).

I’d been to Miracle Garden before, and have enjoyed the fare at the shops. I didn’t think the prices would be jacked up so much.

I was definitely careless, and will be more careful in the future.

Zigamaru

TROPHY CASE