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Layman's Gunpla Guide

Submitted by Falldog on May 27, 2008 - 4:58pm

Hello and welcome!

I assume you're here because you're either a beginner or intermediate Gundam modeler. If you're an expert please leave some of your own tips and it never hurts to improve.

The purpose of this little guide is simple, a (perhaps ill advised) attempt to pass along the modeling experience I've slowly developed over the years to those looking to hop in or even improve their future kits. It's important to remember, as the title suggests, I'm as average and run of the mill as you can get at this sort of thing. I can't recall when I built my first kit, but it was probably around 1999 and boy does it look horrible. Since then I've slowly improved by trying new things with every kit.

The most important thing a gunpla builder can do is to take their time and enjoy the work that goes into crafting a suit. If you're not looking to spend a little time and enjoy a bit of arts and crafts while working with your hands then this might not be for you. If you're looking to experience and understand the the design, features, and functionality of a mecha design then you're in the right place.

Oh, remember that kits can reflect your personality. So put as much time into them as you like, try new things, and you'll get the most out of the kits. So, let's get started...

The Basics

Buying Kits & Their Levels - What are the differences between kit grades? Not sure where to buy or what's a fair price?

Terminology - A reference guide of oft used terms in the gunpla and modeling community.

Basic Build Equipment - Both the basic and slightly more advanced tools that will help your project run smoothly.

Zero Paint Construction Guide - Great for first timers, all the information you need to build your Gunpla up right out of the box.

Detailing Equipment - Tools of the trade for filling in those detail lines

Detail Line Guide - Information on how to drastically improve the look of your kit by simply filling in those pesky detail lines

Decals & Stickers - Some people like them, some people don't, here's how to apply them and mask their presence.

Top Coat Guide - There's no easier way to make your Gundam stand out than to apply a good top coat. Here's the quick and dirty.

Bases & Poses - Action poses! Detailed environments! Cows!

One Step Further...

Painting Equipment - If you're looking to paint, whether just the detail lines or the whole kit, held within are tidbits which might interest.

Hand Painting - Don't throw away that brush just yet...

Airbrushing Guide - If you're interested in painting your kit with it's original colors or attempting your own color scheme this is the guide you're looking for. (To be used in conjunction with the Zero Paint guide.

Spray Cans as an Alternative - Spray cans are simpler to use than an airbrush, but have some downsides.

Masking Tutorial

Mini Thrusters - Add some quick and easy detail to your kit by adding some mini thrusters with IC sockets.

Dry Brushing Tutorial

Weathering Guide - Because sometimes a Gundam just has to get dirty.

Battle Damage - Simple techniques for roughing up and damaging your kit.

Miscellaneous Equipment - All of the random, other pieces of equipment that I like to keep around.

Sig Super Stripe - Want to add stripes to your kit? Don't feel like masking and painting? Check out this specialty product.

Other Tips

Kit Photography - Dust off that camera and show off you work

Paint Space Prep - A few tips I've learned to keep your workspace clean

Sampling Paints - A quick and easy way to test your paints and save the colour samles for future reference

Paint References - My own paint samples, shared for your reference, along with a few notes regarding said paints

Miscellaneous Tricks & Tips - Little tricks & tips that make my life easier. Including using Super Glue to tighten joints and putty to mask thrusters.

Other Fun Bits

Recommended Sites - There are a lot of a great sites out there for news, reviews, and other great build guides. Here are the ones I highly recommend.

Updates (not updated as much as I actually update)

07/01/11 - Added Masking, Paint Prep, Kit Photography, and Hand Painting sections

12/19/10 - Battle damaged added. Various other pages updated in the past week or so.

07/20/10 - Finally added info on using IC sockets for thrusters

05/22/10 - Added info on Sig Super Stripe

02/21/10 - Added Misc Tricks & Tips

01/05/10 - Finally got around to finishing my dry brushing guide.

03/06/09 - Realized that these linked to the pics, not the reviews. Fixed.

06/05/09 - Added Recommended Sites to the guide. Various minor image and content updates (like adding the Updates section). Also added the My Projects section.

16/08/09 - Added a review of my Soviet Gouf Custom project

06/10/09 - Added project page for Zombie Nemos

Not a bad idea falldog!

Submitted by KaGAmi (not verified) on June 1, 2008 - 1:46am.

Not a bad idea falldog!

Thank you!

Submitted by Brett (not verified) on February 14, 2010 - 2:58pm.

Thank you so much for this guide! I'm looking to start doing gunpla and I had no idea where to start. It looks like a lot of fun and I am sure I will be using your guide. :) Thanks again, it is appreciated.

Pictures

Submitted by Brett (not verified) on February 14, 2010 - 3:11pm.

Could I request you do a write-up on taking pictures of your Gunpla? Of the one Gunpla I did so far I tried to take pictures but I didn't get very good results. I know it sounds like a bizarre request, but I think it would be very useful.

I'll add it to my list of

Submitted by Falldog on February 15, 2010 - 5:59pm.

I'll add it to my list of things to do for the guide! In the meantime check Google for guides on homemade lightboxes.

Spotting bootlegs

Submitted by Sachiel (not verified) on July 5, 2010 - 4:20pm.

If I may make a suggestion for your next article: how about something on detecting bootlegs before you are out any money. I have a bad mood and a fake MG Destiny if you need pictures of the components.

I'm a beginner in the Gunpla

Submitted by Wostry Ferenc (not verified) on July 27, 2010 - 9:37pm.

I'm a beginner in the Gunpla field and this guide is very useful!

Glad it was of some help! If

Submitted by Falldog on July 27, 2010 - 9:53pm.

Glad it was of some help! If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

this are very helpful

Submitted by landmine (not verified) on April 14, 2011 - 2:33pm.

thanks for this very helpful tips for building gunpla....i consider myself as an intermediate builder (I'm a former modeler of military scale models) and this tips and guides helps a lot!!!

THNX!!!

newbie tt needs help

Submitted by xi (not verified) on April 25, 2011 - 1:41pm.

very informative page i must say!!..esp for someone like me...i've just got my very first MG 1/100 kit...but i dont think im quite ready to invest in an airbrush..but i do know how painting ur kit just spice it up by so damn much...so im thinking of dry brushing my kit...but was wondering..do i need to prime or anything like that before i apply the paint?...and also..i've realised shading the edges will also make the model standout so much more..is there anyway i can achieve shadowing effect without an airbrush?..will pastel or chalk work?...
THANKS!!!

If you're trying to change

Submitted by Falldog on April 25, 2011 - 7:01pm.

If you're trying to change your kit's color to something lighter than it is, or a different contrasting color, than primer is probably a good idea. The dry brushing technique I describe doesn't require any priming before hand. If you're actually going to just brush on paint make sure to do it with through multiple thin coats. Otherwise the paint will be too thick and look weird. You might want to try a Citadel type paint which is often used for painting figures.

As for adding shading, check out the bit about pastels in the weathering guide.