Gundam Models Discussion Thread
 

Personally, I have one (sold by a co-worker when a chance). If you see the guide book, you will see some painting recommendations. I know those will make the model better and more realistic, so I want to ask where I could buy those paints. Ang idea? (Not ebay, I live in North America.) And also, do you know when SEED D's models will come out?

I have from Mobile Suit Gundam

Guncannon
Guntank
Gundam [ I've dubbed him Parapalygic Gundam since his legs broke off when my little sister visited me ]

GundamW

Tallgeese
Epyon

Do you have any paint on your models?

I have Perfect Grade 1/60 scale models of the following:

Gundam RX-78-2
Char Custom MS-06S Zaku II
MS-06F Zaku II

I also have a Perfect Grade 1/60 scale MS09R Rick Dom under construction right now. Perfect Grade models are nice but they take forever to assemble (they average ~650 individual parts) and wire (the Rick Dom has 21 lights that need to be wired), to make building it even harder - all the instructions are only in Japanese and there are no translations available. While I have other Gundam models, they're mostly those super cheap 1/144 scale ones. >.>

I have alot that I've been collecting back from 6 years ago. I don't collect anymore since it is piling up. :( I bought some recent kits from SEED but I don't have the space anymore so I've given up for quite some time.

I use regular spraycan paint to color it all at once before building, and paint individual small parts. Then I use fine tip sharpies which are great for the panel lines to add to the finish. I don't know anything about painting the models to make it realistic but I just keep it simple and it still looks great.

Here is a repost from the other thread.

=PG=
Zeta Gundam

=MG=
Nu Gundam
RX-79[G]
Zaku-II
Zeta Gundam
RX-78-2(20th anniversary metallic)
God Gundam
Gundam Spiegel
RX-78GP01 Zephyrantes
MS-07B Gouf

=HG=
Rick Dias
Gundam Mk. II
Hyaku Shiki
Sandrock custom
Heavy Arms custom

=Other=
1/60 Freedom
1/100 Astray(red frame)
1/100 Wing Zero
1/144 Gouf
1/144 Gouf Flight Type
1/144 EZ-8
Of course a ton of other 1/144 that are forgotten...

=Figures=
Elmeth
RX-78GP03S
Acguy
Gun Cannon
Gun Tank
RX-78-2
RX-78-2 Full Armor
Zaku-II Johhny Ridden Custom

Hand painting is an art, it requires a steady hand and a lot of patience (I mean whole lot). I normally avoid oil paints as its harder to fix you're mistakes should you make any.

Generally, my paints of choice are Humbrol enamels or Tamiya acrylics depending on the model being made (both brands have large color selections, come with mixing guides and in various finishs). Normally I paint while I'm assembling the model, I find it easier and gives a better result for the finished product. I usually start by sanding the part to be painted (this is more useful on smooth sections than detailed areas), this evens out any bumps on the part's surface and if it's two joined parts that are being painted it allows one to smooth out the join seam (sometimes requires filler material since no piece is ever formed perfectly). After a part is painted I let it sit for +6 hours to ensure the paint is completely dry before I continue.

Before final assembly I like to apply any and all decals to the model, use a good Gundam pen or pinstrip brush to detail panel lines and indents where needed, and sometimes go over the model with an airbrush to dull the finish and give the model an aged look (I don't like my models looking like they just rolled out of the factory - blackening around thruster ports is a nice effect). One day I'd like to master the art of battle damage, but that's for the future.

http://img126.exs.cx/img126/6932/aegism.jpg

http://img126.exs.cx/img126/6333/blitzcalamitym.jpg

http://img126.exs.cx/img126/397/busterm.jpg

http://img126.exs.cx/img126/9163/calamitym.jpg

http://img126.exs.cx/img126/1301/forbiddenm.jpg
This is my Favourite Gundam.. the Forbidden...

http://img126.exs.cx/img126/5759/jm.jpg

All of them are not painted... but I think all of them look kinda good with only the factory paint....

Those sucked. Are those the infamous non-grade 1/144 series?

I mean really. Those models you shown us really sucked. Reminds me of those china gundam model bootlegs under the name "BENDI".

You know what? At this rate, you should've get the Gundam Fix Figuration series, or the MSiAs, if you're cheap.

The only reason you should get a non-HG is if the model doesn't have a HG version. :nono:


I have HG 1/144 Zaku II, Gouf Custom, Dom Tropen, Gelgoog Marine, the O, Zeta, Zaku III, Bawoo, XekuEins, Duel Assualt Shroud, Blitz, Forbidden, Freedom, and MG 1/100 Kampfer, Hyaku Shiki, Quebley, and Zaku II F2. The only non-HGs are Rick Dom II (0080), Gelgoog Jagaear (0080), Doven Wolf (ZZ), Geara Doga (CCA), and Dinn (Seed). No PG yet because I want Zeon MS, not Gundams! >_<

I have all the 1/144 HG models from Seed...

They generally look quite similar to the anime without paint, although some small details need paint to look nicer.

The level of painting differs from model to model. For example, the Freedom needs colouring on the wings, which came totally blue (actual blach and blue), while Justice looks just right.

I have too many, way before Gundam really blew up in the states.

Um, lets see...

- 0079 -
1/60 RX-78 Gundam
1/100 Zaku
1/100 Zaku II: Char Aznable colors
1/100 RX-79(G) Gundam
1/100 Ex8
1/100 Gouf Custom
Too many 1/144 to count

- 0080 -
1/100 Gundam Alex
1/100 Kampfer

- 0083 -
1/100 Gundam Physalis

- Z Gundam -
1/60 Zeta Gundam (modified with 1/100 Zaku to become Zeta Zaku!!!)
1/100 Hyaku Shiki
1/100 RX-178 Gundam (I want the titans version though)
1/144 Psycho Gundam
1/144 Psycho Gundam mark II

- ZZ -
1/100 ZZ Gundam

no F90, F91

- V Gundam -
1/100 Victory Gundam
1/100 V2 Gundam AB

- G Gundam -
All 1/100 and 1/144, even Devil Gundam (that took awhile to find)

- Gundam W, Endless Waltz -
1/60 Wing Gundam Zero Custom
All 1/100 and 1/144

no Gundam X

- Gundam Seed -
All 1/100 scale, my favorite is still Providence Gundam. YAY!

That doesn't include the plastic toys (both American and Japanese) that I have. But a majority of them are in storage right now in their original boxes. I spent way too much money on these things. But I enjoy it!

As for the coloring, I have the Gundam markers. They're freaking expensive.

Well non-HG models have alot less moving joints so for those people that want more action poses or more of a challange in building models a non-HG won't be enough. Also the details on the model is alot less in comparasion to an HG model.

Blasphemy! *faints* :upset:


Because most of us don't think the few dollars you saved justify the sacrifice in quality. :nono:

Most of us like our models to have more details and be able to move their limbs and torso so we can actually pose them instead of having them just stand there, but hey, if you don't care about things like that and are happy with the ones you got, then good for you. I'd still recommend you get HGs, though, because you don't paint your models; HG ones are molded in more colors and look much better.

It looks weird because the Zaku head is comparably smaller too. You cannot deny the power of the Zaku! I mean, even Seed Destiny is telling the Zaku to overcome and show it's power!

BENDI, I remember that...ww

1/144 can look good if you got professional hand painting skills. But spend the extra bucks and get HG anyways.

So where I can buy those paints for Gundam models in North American (online store). I think HG are much better and easier to paint with. I don't like non-HG because it doesn't look good, espically the head.

about those paints i think i got some information about it!
I've asked people about them and i got some answers... Actually there is 3 ways you could handle them 1, Handpaint with oil paints 2,Airbrush with compressors 3,Gundam Markers...

People would strongly recommend Airbrush as it would leave a nice, smooth and shining surface after paint but you need to buy the compressors and stuff which will cost you around 500 bucks... well that is what i heard.. but you could always lend those from a Shop which they sell the Models....

Handpaint with Oil Paints of Acrylic..This method is way cheaper than the first one but... but you need a lot of patients and steady hands because if anything goes wrong, you and your Model will look bad.... but if everything goes right and you are skilled at this... your model will look good! Worth to take the risk?

Gundam Markers... if you are rich and you could do anything for your GUNDAM MODELS, i suggest you to buy some of this markers and start detail colouring your models.... They come in a pack of 6 colours.. i forgotten about the colours.. and it cost around 15 bucks or so.... but it won't give you a very nice effect..

Well the rule is the more pieces it's much easier to paint.

Most paint brand for model kits is suitable for gundam kits, you don't really need official gundam paints. www.gundamshop.com sells Tamiya and Testors which seem to be the best paints, but I don't know any places online.

@gunners2787 - Can you please make those images links or put them in a spoiler box?

@SlugZilla - After reading through the tutorials and guides on that site, it does have a lot of useful information. It's a nice site but it's sad that half the stuff they list seems to be constantly out of stock. >.>

About the models, I only had a now broken 1/144 HG Wing gundam from endless waltz. But now I'm planning on getting some PG model.... the problem is that I can never decide :heh:

And yes, I reccomend spending extra money for at least an HG rather than those low-quality models.

I think that should be HG 1/100? :twitch:
Because I remembered that Endless Waltz series ONLY have HG 1/100 scale?no? :heh: Yes,spending a little more on HG is worth it~ :)
Buy the PG wing gundam! It's marvelous! lol

I only have series of models from Gundam Wing endless Waltz and Seed.

Let's see...

Gundam Wing Endless Waltz Complete set:
HG 1/100 Wing zero custom
HG 1/100 Deathscythe
HG 1/100 Heavyarms
HG 1/100 Sandrock
HG 1/100 Nataku
HG 1/100 Tallgeese
HG 1/100 Serpent custom

Gundam Seed:
HG 1/144 from Box 1 to Box 13
HG 1/100 from Box 1 to Box 9

Should be getting more :)
For me,I don't get those super cheap but lousy scale like those normal 1/144 scale....they are sucky.... :nono:

Atleast in Japan, the HG Destiny models have started rolling out. I think it's Force Impulse and the Zaku Warrior that are out right now.

Also does anyone know if Gold Frame Amatu will become a model. I saw a pic of one on another site and it looks really well done, either that or it's a MSiA.

Yes, I saw one. It should be HG 1/144.

Real men prefers MG models. Along with some white primers, a good airbrush, some Gundam marker and loadsa arcylic/enamel paint to play with.

You want to minimise your cost in collecting Gundam models? Good. I have the perfect solution for you. Go buy those "BENDI" bootlegs from china. I bet you'll save LOADS of money on those. An average HG 1/144 clone from BENDI would cost 1/3, or 1/2, if you're lucky, as compared to their original BANDAI counterpart.

Seriously, if you aren't going to paint your models, do Gundam fans a favor by buying other models that comes assembled and nicely painted. Things like... the HCM PRO figures, or the MSiA(s), or Gundam Fix Figuration series. But meh, since you're cheap, I doubt you'll ever want to spend some extra few bucks on quality by buying HCM PRO or GFF.

And people! DO NOT BUY HG KITS! GET MG KITS INSTEAD! XD

The HG kits seems to have a looser joint that could barely hold its weapon, especially when it's heavy (like my Heavyarms Custom, it's having problems posing with the bigass dual machinegun rifles due to its weak joint. I've resorted to coat a thin layer of plastic cement to fix that problem)

Besides, HG kits are limited to a very limited amount of posings, as compared to MG kits.

edit: As for my collections, I have:
MG 1/100 Gundam RX-79[G]
HG 1/100 Sandrock Custom, Endless Waltz
HG 1/100 HeavyArms Custom, Endless Waltz
HG 1/144 HGUC Gundam MK-ii
HG 1/144 Zaku-II (the clone from 08th MS team)
HG 1/144 GM-III (again, from 08th MS team)
HG 1/100 God Gundam
HG 1/144 Ez-Gundam
Gundam SEED A-Styling shokudan (have the Freedom and Justice. Not to bad, for a figure that small, around half the size of my MG RX-79[G])

Ok! could you stop with the "Cheap" thing....? it kinda gets on my nerve... I collect non-HG models..ok... you got a problem with that? if that so... I think you have a hell lot of people in the world you need to call them CHEAP! So please.. just stop calling people cheap and get on with life...OK? and YES I do want to paint them....and about the the BENDI crap! I don't know what the hell is that and I don't think we have them here... so please also stop with the BENDI thing ok?

You talk like you need some attention here and constantlty saying the word "CHEAP" ... if you are so fond of that word.. why don't you just go and wait at the place where they sell those NON-HG models and wait for people to buy and tell them "Hey, You're CHEAP"... Don't just hang around online and calling people cheap when they owned non-HG...ok?

What's wrong with non HG although non HG is worse than HG? People are free to buy whatever they want. You keep using the word "cheap". Seems like you are insulting people who had bought non HG. That means you are a rich person, correct? I think PG is much better than MG, but I don't see you have PG here. By the way, some models don't even have MG versons.

Hi May I Know Where U Guys Place Ur Gundams?
 

Im curious after reading the forums u guys post but i thought of buying some for collection but i don't know where u guys usually place it can u guys give me some ideas ??

Glass Cases.. like display cases but not the HUGE ones. about a coffee table size

I couldn't agree more. There is not a damned thing wrong with the HG models. The SEED HG models were well done, and the best HG Gundam line out there IMO. Most of the models from that line had great poseability and were well detailed without paint (1/144 HG Aegis IMO is the best example of this) While they are pretty detailed on there own, I do paint them as well. Not everybody can afford MG and PG models. The store I go to in Toronto sells MG and PG models starting from $60-$70 Canadian and as high as $120. HG 1/144 and 1/100 models sell well because they're relatively cheaper, and are still moderately detailed. Obviously not everybody can afford these models, nor would everybody want to buy them if they had the money. I may buy a PG model one day, but I'm perfectly happy with my HG models.

There's nothing wrong with good HG models.

The reworked HGUC lines are incredible in the detail and articulation present despite the small scale. Comparatively, I have an older HG Zeta and HG RX-178, the white plastic in the Zeta model isn't white, more like a very slight GREEN. It doesn't even look like Zeta in several respects. So while they aren't bad, not all HG kits are of equal make.

Now, the non-grade models (400yen or so) completely lack most articulation and color, I had one of the Blitz gundam and almost nothing moved... ick.

If you can afford MG, go for it. There's few PG models, and the MG kits have excellent detail. I've got 4 MG (from Z, ZZ, and 0083) and 3 PG models (RX-178 Titans, Zeta, Zaku II (green)), plus a couple 1/144 HGUC kits. The old HG kits were turned into paint testbeds, while I did a complete repaint of my HGUC Gaplant (from titans colors to AEUG colors found in the Z Gundam game.)

As for painting, rainbowten.co.jp ships Gunze Sangyo Acrylic Lacquers and water-based Acrylics (safer) almost anywhere. I use a Badger airbrush and a $75 dollar air compressor (2 gallon tank, all told airbrush + compressor came to $150.) Once you get a handle on properly thinning the paints and working with them, the results can be quite nice... I'm close, so very close.

I would kill for a RX-93 and Denoborius Orchis Model I can find em online but not in any store :(

1/60 Rick Dom is "Hyper Hybrid Model" not "Perfect Grade." My Char's MS-09RS (limited edition) collapsed and I leaped to save it from hitting the floor during recent earthquake. It weighs 9xx grams, imagine if it were to hit the floor 1 meter below. This model took me 3 weeks to complete, no stickers, no painting.

I still have 6 MGs (3 crystal clear version and 1 coating version) and 1 HG that still see no light of assembling. My recent assembling of 1/400 and 1/144 Meteor Units costed me too much time to spend on simple hand painting of missile pods and engine parts.

Generally I prefer prepaint soft figures because I have no time for construction and painting. I have been colleting 4,000+ figures (2,500+ for Gundam related) so far.

i put one gashapon on the dash of my car
=D

There's nothing wrong with being cheap. Since when did I state that it's "wrong" to be cheap? Really. What I've posted previously were based on my own preference. To me, I'd prefer quality over quantity... or pricing, for that matter.

And nah, PG are not for me, 1/60 series are just too big, and I'm gradually running out of space right now to place my proliferating collection of plastics figurines from Japan and China :p

$70 Canadian for a MG model? That's worse than the pricing here at my place (Malaysia). I usually get a MG model for 3/4 that price.... And to imagine that the recommended retail price for an average MG model is around 3000 yen, the equivalent of 34.0755 CAD, according to some currency converter.

So yeah, sorry for that, should you ever get insulted or irked by my previous messages.

I'm jealous you guys got the money to buy so many models. I only have Wing Gundam and Wing Zero....1/144.....plus Wing Zero Custom 1/100.....Oh ya....almost forgot about my SD Epyon and 3 Freedom Gundam models. Is it 3? Lets see...1....2....3...yep. 3 of them. 1/144, 1/100 and 1/60. Now I just wanted to get my hands on the 1/60 Justice Gundam....looks like I gotta start going on a diet to save up the money. But I also have plans to get Sony PSP!

*Bangs head on keyboard*

Oh ya....before I forgot again...can someone explain to me what's the difference between Perfect Grade, High Grade and Master Grade models? Thanks.....

Was about to start painting them but I got too busy(had a airbrush ready too).
MG:
Gundam GO4
Gundam GP01 FB
Gundam RX-78
Gundam MKII
Gundam NT-1
HG:
Couple.
SD:
Lots! Mainly the old old ones(SD and Samurai ones) and some G Generation.
Kinda dissapointing that the early G Generation SD Gundams where just re-release of the old SD gundams.
I used to love building this model kits when I was young, unfortunatly money was an issue so I collected the sd model kits that went for $10.

I also had these toys(can't exactly say model kits) where it came with a SD character and armor and you can attach the armor on and there were really really cool...I had/have Quattro(Hiyaku Shinki), Char(Zaku II), Char(Sazabi), Amuro(Nu-Gundam) and Camile(came with the grey Zeta tho). Gotta get some pics for you guys...even tho I only have Hiyaku Shinki, ZakuII and I think Sazabi around. I got them over 14 years ago in Hong Kong.

I have 1 gundam model...and only 1

PG Wing Zero

that one alone took away all my gundam model money...and patience....

I have yet to finish it..i still need to paint at least 9/10 of the entire thing but i also don't want to completely build it since i don't want to look at a partially painted figure...and as said before it's lots easier to paint as you go as appossed to painting peices when they're joined together...and since i want it to look real nice i try not to work on it unless i have lots of free time and some patience...which as the days go by seems less and less likely

err....actually i lied :heh: i have a 1/144 model of Duo's (Wing Gundam) Gundam (Deathstrike wasn't it?) which is built...and somewhat painted...but he's in a box and is never coming out again

HOLY MOTHER OF...

Dude.

That's a lot of invested money :twitch: