This is an idea I’ve been tinkering with since 2012. New friends to the hobby often ask questions about what order to perform some steps, or whether or not one is even necessary for their project. To help answer I’ve created this little flowchart with some of the most basic steps that goes into an average build. Over all I tried to keep it as simple as possible so it’s easy to understand and applies to the greater number of builders. It’s okay to add or remove steps here and there if it fits your personal style or is necessary for the project you’re working on. I’ve added comments below the chart to highlight some key talking points and related tutorials. Make sure you check them out.
LGG – Building
Layman’s Gunpla Guide – Detail Line Tutorial
Line detailing is the simple process of painting or otherwise coloring the detail lines that criss cross your Gunpla. This process can be very easy to very difficult depending how you want to go about things. Regardless, in the end your kit will go from…
…to…
Not sure what to use? Check out the Detailing & Painting Equipment page.
Paint Prep
If you’re going to use paint, you need to a bit of prep first. No matter which paint you’re going to use for this application you need to mix it with thinner until it achieves a watery consistency and can run smoothly. This will allow the paint to run along the lines, and if you’re fortunate, save yourself a lot of work. If you’re working on a kit that’s been painted with flat paints it’s very important to cover the piece in a good gloss coat. This helps smooth out the surface to allow the paint to flow freely again. Even if you didn’t use a flat paint it’s a good idea as it will help protect the paint below. Most importantly, use a different type of top coat than the paint below and the kind you’re using for the detail lines. If you don’t the thinner in the line mixture will eat away the paint below.
Layman’s Gunpla Guide – Construction Guide
Welcome to the construction guide! The goal here is to review some of the basics of taking transforming that box of plastic runners into a proper Gundam kit. Beginners who have picked up their first kit have probably opened up the box, looked at the runners, than the Japanese instructions. How do you feel? Excited, maybe have a sense of tribulation? Well worry not!
Despite the number of small parts and the Japanese instructions putting together a kit perhaps the easiest part of the hobby.
Basic Terminology
Before we begin it’s important that you familiarize yourself with some of the common terminology. Those plastic things with all the pieces attached? Those are called runners. The parts of the runner which connect directly to the kit’s pieces are called sprues. When you cut a piece from the runner and sprue there will likely be a little piece of plastic left sticking out of the piece itself, that is called a nub.
Layman’s Gunpla Guide – Top Coat Guide & Tutorial
Welcome to the top coat tutorial on the Layman’s Gunpla Guide. Top coating is an incredibly easy way to add an extra dimension to your Gundam model. Unpainted kits can look great with just a nice top coat while painted kits will gain that extra umph. Top coats also serve to protect the underlying paint and details while the difference between a matte and gloss finish can dramatically change the feel of a project. Top coats, especially a dull one, has the extra benefit of helping to hide the edges of any applied decals.
Layman’s Gunpla Guide – Decals & Stickers
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Panel lining and top coats are simple and great ways to spruce up a kit. Applying decals is another great way. It’s simple, easy and a great way to customize your kit’s appearance. Most Master Grade kits come with a set of stickers and decals (either wet or dry transfer). Perfect Grade kits tend to come with a lot more (because of the size) and most HG do not come with any at all. The good news is there are quite a few third party decal makers out there in addition to basic detailing sets straight from Bandai.