Gundam model kit questions

killtuna SG

I just finished my first gundam model kit MG Strike Freedom. Took 2 days and 10 hours in total Surprised . Encountered quite alot of problems so will like to seek help from the pros here by asking a list of questions. Please put up with my noob questions and thanks for helping Mr. Green .

1. What equipments do you use when fixing a gundam model kit?
Cutting parts from runner -> Pliers(or is there better alternative?)
Trimming the nubs -> Penknife not very effective when trimming hard nubs and left some unsightly marks Crying or Very sad
Holding small parts -> Twizzers but can't seem to hold on to small parts properly

2. Do you put stickers on the model?
Saw quite alot of websites that discourage putting stickers so for now I haven paste anything on my model yet. (I'm planning to put decals)

3. Do you file or sand the nubs?What grit do you use?
I bought 1000grit sandpaper but haven use yet

4. Are the fingers strong enough to hold the weapons?
I tried putting the rifles and swords on the model hands but it's very loose.

5. What brand and model marker do you recommend for panelling?

6. Do you fill up the seams with putty?

7. Do you protect your model with spray finishing?

That's all I can think of for now. Will post more questions if I thought of it Wink . Below is a picture of my model that is just completed. Haven done anything to it yet cuz too lazy.

pic
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t170/killtuna/IMG_0004.jpg

totohum SG

wouldn't consider myself a pro, but for equipment, i just use the cutter for the runners then cut off most of the excess and then use knife to trim a bit..
stickers wise, its up to u actually, if u r gd in painting stuff like eyes then dun need to use, stickers main purpose is for those who dun want to paint thier model and use a gundam marker for paneling..thats all
for MG Strike Freedom, i notice that there is a slot for the hands to hold the weapons. dun tighten the fingers too much on the weapon and shld stay ok.
hope this helps...

jetabt767400 SG

Hmm, likely to see that stickers dun really work well for models. They leave marks and plus, if ya want to shoot good photos, the stickers will reflect the light and make a rather weird/bad lighting.
So its best to use decals.
Gundam markers, depend on ya likes, some ppl dun like to use Gundam markers and use permanent OHP markers instead. Depends really on style. I use Gundam markers.
Otherwise the strike Freedom is really fun to make and pose around, if got time can buy some decals from model stores that has the ZAFT and ORB Union logos, I have both on my SF and looks pretty cool...

Gordonator SG

1. What equipments do you use when fixing a gundam model kit?
Cutting parts from runner -> Pliers(or is there better alternative?)
Ans: i use plier. it's the best choice for all modelers.

Trimming the nubs -> Penknife not very effective when trimming hard nubs and left some unsightly marks
Ans: i use penknife and i am very satistified with the result. Wink

Holding small parts -> Twizzers but can't seem to hold on to small parts properly
Ans: i use my hands. just be extra careful.

2. Do you put stickers on the model?
Ans: i only put on decals and i try to aviod putting sticker cos as time past, dust will collect inside the sticker and make the model looks dirty and sticky.

i always believe simple is beautiful. a few decals will do. over putting too much also not nice.

3. Do you file or sand the nubs?What grit do you use?
Ans: i don't do sanding. no time.

4. Are the fingers strong enough to hold the weapons?
Ans: Good question. MG hands are indeed not strong enough to hold the weapons, especially rifles. that's why i use double sided tape to take the weapons to the hands.

5. What brand and model marker do you recommend for panelling?
Ans: oil based extra fine Gundam marker from japan. $3.90. easy to use and erasable.

6. Do you fill up the seams with putty?
Ans: No. that's require lots of skills.

7. Do you protect your model with spray finishing?
Ans: No.

Gordonator SG

anyway killtuna judging from the pic and the fact that this is your first model, it's considered very well done. i don't see any stubs around (or maybe because the pic is a bit blur).

good work anyway. Cool

duotiga83 SG

kinda agree...but hardly ppl start MG 1st due to no of parts and pricing Confused

jetabt767400 SG

Hmm, haha, I started out with MG Zeong and it was heavenly difficult, haha!

'#900th post in SGforums, heehee...'

killtuna SG

Thanks for all the advices. I started on a MG as I really like the strike freedom and since I dun plan to buy alot of models (maybe one every 3 months) I dun mind spending more on one. But it's so fun I feel like getting another already Twisted Evil .

Anyway there is no stubs but there are white marks after removing the stubs. Now I'm taking out all the parts and sanding the white marks. Will post in the collection thread after I done with that and putting the decals and paneling.

I only watched gundam wings, gundam seed and gundam seed destiny. Downloaded stargazer already but haven watch. What other series should I watch first if I wanna gain more gundam knowledge Embarassed

duotiga83 SG

perhaps you shld refer to MAHQ for references of the entire gundam series Wink is more than just wing, seed/destiny..they are part of the AU, cosmic century...the longest is UC which is universal century.

Purplehaze623 SG

try old UC series like Victory, Zeta, stardust memory etc. maybe you'll like it.
=)

duotiga83 SG

but....must start 0079..thats where gundam started Razz

killtuna SG

Some more questions Embarassed .

The decals with the green backing is just normal stickers right? If it is I dun plan to put them on (I already put the stickers for the eyes and head if not very ugly).

To put on the decals first I put the decal piece on the model then put the hard backing on the decal then rub on it right? (I read about it on what to do but just not sure what's the hard backing behind the decal)

The first connecting part of the stand that can be adjusted seems to be quite loose and I spotted some marks on the groove already Crying or Very sad . Did anyone experience that too? Feel like using superglue to stick the parts but if I do can't adjust the degree anymore.

For the dragoons only the front part can be shifted up right? Tried shifting the back part so the part is higher than the front but can't do that.

Anyway I will be finding the old gundam bt files to download Twisted Evil . Hope still got people seeding.........

dakkon_blackblade SG

With regards to the hand holding weapons problem, I think some of the newer models have been designed with small holes in the weapon grips and plugs in the hands so that you can fit them together securely. That's the case for my Mk II ver 2.0. Sorry no pics though.

By the way, I use Gundam marker for panelling and I hardly ever put stickers (except for the eyes) or decals. I feel that the models look nicer without these things.

Gordonator SG

yes the stand is quite loose. i used glue to stick them together or else might fall of anytime.

as for the dragoon wings, it can only move in one direction. initially i was also problems opening the wings. so do be a little careful there.