Any anime garage kit builders/modelers on the huddle...

[dos poptarts]

Any helpful hints for building/painting. Links, books?

 

I've pre-ordered some garage kits from Japan. The last time I attempted to build any models was about 17 years ago. Some cheap-o Gundam &  Ultraman kits. My glue and paint skills were pretty meh. But I'd like to think I've learned to have more patience since then. 

 

I think this C&H strip details my history perfectly.

 

 

 

[cookinwithgas]

I am a big time scale modeler but do mostly hardware - I help run the countries, and maybe the worlds, largest show dedicated to scifi and fantasy modeling

 

http://www.wonderfest.com

 

My friend and fellow Panthers fanatic has a web site for his work which is mostly resin/garage kit figures -

 

http://www.crazyjoemodels.com

 

Did you order from HLJ? What did you get? With more specifics I might be able to offer some tips....

[cookinbrak]

I used to do car models a few years back. On certain ones, I would get serious with the details- Painting the trim around the windows, handles, and locks silver (back when cars had chrome). Putting diluted water-based ink around the trunk and doors and wiping it off, so there was a little black line.

heating up a needle, poking holes in the engine block, and making spark plug wires.

 

 

Then I got laid.

[dos poptarts]

I am a big time scale modeler but do mostly hardware - I help run the countries, and maybe the worlds, largest show dedicated to scifi and fantasy modeling

 

http://www.wonderfest.com

 

My friend and fellow Panthers fanatic has a web site for his work which is mostly resin/garage kit figures -

 

http://www.crazyjoemodels.com

 

Did you order from HLJ? What did you get? With more specifics I might be able to offer some tips....

 

Preordered a few Appleseed resin kits from e2046.

http://www.e2046.com/product/9024

http://www.e2046.com/product/8497

 

I got my Yamato and Andromeda kits from HLJ, but they are still in storage. Along with probably 3-4 Gundam kits. Never got into figurines. Would buying cheap car/armor kits from toy stores to practice on be a good route?

 

Damn, crazyjoe has got some skills.

[cookinwithgas]

hey that all is my wheelhouse - and yeah Joe is one of the best there is at this stuff.

 

It looks like that you have some resin kits there - some basic things:

 

wash the parts in soap and warm water using a toothbrush - resin kits typically have a good amount of mold release agent on them which can wreak havoc with glue and paint

 

get some microfiles and good sanding sticks, along with some good hobby vision gear. Mecha in scale demands very smooth surfaces

 

resin can be primed with any paint type really

 

people tend to build and paint mecha in subassemblies; check for as good a fit as you can - if there are no really good positive join mechanisms, consider drilling out holes and using brass tubing for extra strength. Joe does this on ALL his figures.

 

For gaps, bubbles etc I recommend Aves ApoxySculpt, for small areas I like Gunze Mr. Dissolved Putty - its very liquidy and does shrink but is easy to sand and great for small seams or holes.

 

Paint is such a personal choice I usually don't recommend one thing or another. If you are serious about great finishes I recommend you get a decent airbrush setup but they can get pricey. Nothing really as much fun as slinging paint with a quality airbrush though. In the interim, Tamiya makes some good spray can paints.

 

ALWAYS have material on hand for practice and testing, yeah a cheaper or messed up kit you have given up on is always a good thing to have with you.

 

There are many hobby related web sites out there, I use http://www.starshipmodeler.com but there are probably Gundam specific sites out there....

 

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

One thing i spent hours doing when i spent a summer in Okinawa was build Gundam models all day and night. I never got to the point i was sanding the models but i did create some elaborate battle scenes learning to bend and melt holes in a fallen enemy.

I saw a few Pacific Rim mech models in a store recentlyand walked past but the 7 year old in me wanted to buy them so badly.

Still do not understand how an American Gundam live action adaptation has not been made unless the material is strictly protected to definitely NOT let a Michael Bay hack fug it all up.