Gundam Models Discussion Thread

[Zeydra]

As much as i'd love a rozen zulu a part of me still doubts they'll get this release right colour wise. I hope i'm wrong.

[wavehawk]

The last time I had a chromed kit I used paint stripper to get rid of the chrome finish.

...you can tell I'm definitely not the person to talk to about metallic or chrome plated kits.

[ZeroXSEED]

Well I tried to get rid of Akatsuki's chrome with Mr. Muscle as some forum said

.... it failed so hard, maybe it's my method which at fault?

[wavehawk]

Bleach. Chlorine Bleach.

There are different versions of Mr Muscle, so you might be using the wrong kind.

And you'll be doing it at least 4-5 times. To get the chrome plate off an old 1/144 Shining Gundam Hyper Mode I spent 3/4ths of a month repeatedly immersing the parts in bleach, then washing, then pouring paint stripper alternately. This was so I could get it down to the ugly black underplastic, cover it with white primer, and paint it to get an 'updated' version of the Shining Gundam.

...then when I'm nearly finished, Bandai announced their HGFC Shining Gundam.

[DuelGundam2099]

So there I was at my local comic book store, hoping the last issue of Deadpool vs. Carnage was out. I was 6 days too early so I decided to check the gunpla section. High Grade Guntank. TWELVE FRIGGIN DOLLARS. Just finished it and it only took me 1 hour 45 minutes. Unfortunately the main peg for the cockpit seat broke when trying to unsnap the head pieces off because I put a polycap in wrong, but everything managed to snap back into place. Really thinking of getting a Titans and Neo Zeon gunpla before getting the V2 Gundam and eventually mother f**king BEARGGUY SAN! (two kits were there, I smiled, on my own!). Also thinking of getting a Master Grade, are Hyaku Shiki or Nemo a good place to start?

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Originally Posted by DuelGundam2099

Also thinking of getting a Master Grade, are Hyaku Shiki or Nemo a good place to start?

Both kits are good places to start due to their simplicity. MG Hyaku Shiki is an old kit and is decent for its time but not great. On the other hand, MG Nemo is teriffic for a grunt unit. It’s solid and has very good articulation.

[DuelGundam2099]

Then Nemo it is! (unless someone buys it first)

[ZeroXSEED]

Originally Posted by wavehawk

There are different versions of Mr Muscle, so you might be using the wrong kind.

Window cleaner and oven cleaner, using both.

Do I have to let it drown for hours? What about insulation?

Originally Posted by wavehawk

And you'll be doing it at least 4-5 times.

[LoweGear]

Originally Posted by wavehawk

...then when I'm nearly finished, Bandai announced their HGFC Shining Gundam.

[wavehawking intensifies]

The curse continues I see

[bio9205]

Wow, you guys have some pretty bad experiences with chrome parts, huh. I bought the RG Exia mainly because I'm a sucker for shiny stuff... Here's hoping this turns out well for me!

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

Well, I won't call myself an expert, but from my experience, you can't do much with chrome parts beside being careful when cutting the trees. Just do it like usual (but with extra care): cut the sprues with a nipper then carefully cut the leftovers with file or a very thin & sharp cutter. Do it gently (no rush allowed) if you want to get good result. That's pretty much what you can do to remove chrome parts. My experience includes MG Exia Trans-am, some 1-100 kits from Wing-line that have chrome-parts (eg. 1-100 Deathscythe-Hell's golden "ribs"), and others that I can't recall right now.

Maybe some more "experts" builders here can give better suggestions?

I see, thanks! I'll experiment first with the 'handle' parts of the blades to see how it goes.

Originally Posted by Zeydra

As much as i'd love a rozen zulu a part of me still doubts they'll get this release right colour wise. I hope i'm wrong.

I already own the previous Rozen Zulu. It's an excellent kit, just a pity about the colour... Unfortunately I don't think I have the spare cash to shell out for the new version if it does come in the correct colours. I'll just continue hoping for a Robot Damashii Rozen Zulu...

[ZeroXSEED]

Originally Posted by bio9205

Wow, you guys have some pretty bad experiences with chrome parts, huh. I bought the RG Exia mainly because I'm a sucker for shiny stuff... Here's hoping this turns out well for me!

According to 4chan, Exia's chrome blades are... slightly problematic

Not something unfixable, just really bothersome

[wavehawk]

Originally Posted by ZeroXSEED

Do I have to let it drown for hours?

- Why do you think I said "3/4ths fo a Month"? Majority of the time it was soaking in bleach for 24 hours, then I'd take it out to wash under cold running water. What happens is the metallic coat will start flaking off, leaving the black plastic underneath. But you still have to wash it off with water as there's a coat of the electroplating material underneath.

So once all of the metallic coat is off, you'll still need to take an old toothbrush and scrub off the remainder. Then let it dry, then coat it with primer for painting.

...you see now why I hate chromed kits, and why I've onl ever done it once and plan to never do it again?

[ZeroXSEED]

Originally Posted by wavehawk

- Why do you think I said "3/4ths fo a Month"? Majority of the time it was soaking in bleach for 24 hours, then I'd take it out to wash under cold running water. What happens is the metallic coat will start flaking off, leaving the black plastic underneath. But you still have to wash it off with water as there's a coat of the electroplating material underneath.

So once all of the metallic coat is off, you'll still need to take an old toothbrush and scrub off the remainder. Then let it dry, then coat it with primer for painting.

...you see now why I hate chromed kits, and why I've onl ever done it once and plan to never do it again?

I was talking about Mr. Muscle, but either way thanks for the tip.

[Wild Goose]

Well it seems Future is sold here as Pledge. But i can only find Pledge window cleaner.

I'll make one last try next week, but it looks like I'm going to have to skip gloss and go straight to matte.

[ZeroXSEED]

Originally Posted by Wild Goose

Well it seems Future is sold here as Pledge. But i can only find Pledge window cleaner.

I'll make one last try next week, but it looks like I'm going to have to skip gloss and go straight to matte.

For what it's worth, don't use Matte UNDER decal, just stick em on the plastic directly.

[bio9205]

Originally Posted by ZeroXSEED

According to 4chan, Exia's chrome blades are... slightly problematic
*snip*
Not something unfixable, just really bothersome

Wait, what's the problem here - the fingerprints are hard to come off?

[ZeroXSEED]

Originally Posted by bio9205

Wait, what's the problem here - the fingerprints are hard to come off?

Those are not fingerprint

Those are coat blotch and bubbling

[Wild Goose]

Okay, so I experimented with using gold marker on my Banshee's bling faceplate and horn. ACtually looks a lot nicer.

On the other hand I think I botched my application on the neck area so I feel like I need to redo. I guess I should either sandpaper or use the marker eraser, shouldn't I?

I've also found a few things:

1: Marker eraser is significantly more effective when used immediately.

2. I'm experimenting with a light bluish color for my Banshee norn's e-caps. Am doing some tests with drawing white on blue marker, and blue over white marker, and then using the eraser to thin and mix the colors...

[Skye629]

Originally Posted by Wild Goose

Okay, so I experimented with using gold marker on my Banshee's bling faceplate and horn. ACtually looks a lot nicer.

On the other hand I think I botched my application on the neck area so I feel like I need to redo. I guess I should either sandpaper or use the marker eraser, shouldn't I?

I've also found a few things:

1: Marker eraser is significantly more effective when used immediately.

2. I'm experimenting with a light bluish color for my Banshee norn's e-caps. Am doing some tests with drawing white on blue marker, and blue over white marker, and then using the eraser to thin and mix the colors...

What sort of paint markers are you using?

[Wild Goose]

Originally Posted by Skye629

What sort of paint markers are you using?

Bandai gold marker and AGE blue and white paint markers. All official Gundam markers.