3w ago

Weekly Discussion Thread

Anything you folks want to talk about. Build questions, advice, what you’re about to start building, etc.

16 comments

I'm still working on my PG Strike Rouge. I wanted to wrap it up this weekend, but that won't be happening. I need to finish applying decals, spray the final top coat, then final assembly. This is by far my most involved project, and I am ready for it to be over so I can move on to the next thing.
My local anime shop had a build day yesterday, so I brought one of the kits that will be part of my GBWC entry. I keep forgetting HG kits are a double-edged sword when it comes to customizing. They're simpler, but usually require more work because of less part separation.
@Akaru88 In the past 4 days I've managed to find an MG Barbatos and an RG Force Impulse Gundam in person for a decent price, so my backlog has expanded. That Barbatos may jump the queue a bit, although I need to order waterslides for it.
My gunpla posting streak was broken after only 5 days, but honestly that was two more than I figured it would be. I have precisely 0 pictures in reserve and I haven't been home enough to take any or do any building.
- I built RG Force Impulse Spec II, was a good build, though a bit annoying that Bandai decided to release a minor recolor as its own retail kit.
  
  @wirelesswire I didn't even know the Spec II was a thing. That really is a minor recolor. I think I prefer the lighter colors of the base version (which is strange for me), but honestly without them beside one another I likely wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
  Edit: Yeah, that sky blue on the skirting armor is fantastic. I like the boosters better on the Spec II, though, I will admit.
  https://files.catbox.moe/s6k8gu.jpg
- Good try with the streak. And MG Barbatos is a super fun build. Until the MG Vidar released just recently, it was the only kit that used that frame so if you haven’t built it before then it will be a brand new experience. I think the only decals I used on mine were the factory “iron flower” stickers.
  
  @Akaru88 The MG Vidar is another one I want to build one day, but I think I'll wait a while due to the price. Same reason I got the Barbatos now instead of waiting for the Lupus later this year. I have the HG Vidar to tide me over (and the HG Lupus, although that was one of my first kits).
  I'm a sucker for decals on the ones I really care about. There's something about having it decked out with caution notices and such that I enjoy. Don't like the process much, though. Haha
I guess I’ll get this ball rolling myself. I just got an MG Heavyarms EW that I’m going to paint and customize to be like Heavyarms Kai with the blue paint but with 2 double Gatlings and the IGEL unit.
- Sounds cool. I recently ordered a metal frame for my Heavyarms Custom, so I'm interested to see how that will turn out.
  
  That’s on my list. I’ve already ordered a set of 3rd party gatlings and I’m about to pull the trigger on a eBay IGEL unit.
What do you guys use for topcoat?
- I currently use either Mr Super Clear or Gaianotes, usually matte. When I sprayed acrylics, I used Vallejo varnish.
- I use Pledge floor gloss. It's so much cheaper than actual topcoat, and works just as well for keeping paint or decals from rubbing off from casual handling. I have one bottle that I use for glossy coats, and a second one that I has Tamiya matte base mixed in for when I want to do semi-gloss instead.
- @Akaru88 I've used Testors Dullcote, but I always seem to waste too much of it; one can usually covers roughly 2 1/144 scale kits. I've had more success with Vallejo Matt Varnish in an airbrush, but it does require said airbrush. A shop near me recently started stocking Mr Hobby Clear Matte, so I might give that a whirl if I ever feel like spending the money.

16 comments