As promised, i'll try to show u guys some tips and trade in building a gundam kits. I've selected this kit for the size and some bright ideas that i came up with.Anyway along the way feel free if u want to comment or give suggestions as this is a open work that we can share and i'm not a pro or anything, im also still learning the trade. Regards
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Labeling |
This is what i usually do for any large kits, taking the pallet out of the bags and checking with the parts list and then labeling the pallets so that i can easily track any pallets with ease.I found it hard sometimes to find pallets due to the marking usually has the same color as the pallets. With tags i can easily identify any pallets that i need and find them with ease.I also check the parts list so i know how many pallets i should have and identify any parts that can be left behind during construction. It also a good thing to study the instruction manual beforehand so u have the general ideas of what to do with it.
I cut out the needed parts that i need to construct any module and compare it to the pictorial. i usually do this to save time because after cutting out needed parts comes the exciting moment of cleaning up the sprue.
When all the imperfection has been sand/cut, dry fit the part once again before u apply the cement onto both side of the part.Apply as much as u need to make them stick 2gether.Count to 3 then fit the part, then make sure u press them 2gether until the excess cements seeps out from the seem, don't worry bout this excess cement, in fact it actually will help u create a seem that wont be visible after u sand it. Leave the part at least for 5-7 hours, or just leave leave if for a day and continue with other part of the kit.
When the cement is properly cured, it it time for sanding, always start with a lower grade sand paper for sanding, i always start with 1000, then 1500 and finally a 2000 grit paper, alway test the surface with ur fingers, it is the best detector for any imperfection.As u can see in this picture there are part that that is a bit rough even after sanding.This area usually need to be filled, it is time to introduce u guys to my other best friend lol..
Tamiya polyester putty is my choice of filling.Ive used normal putty but i found it hard to apply and to keep because it dries up very easily. the beauty of this putty is that it will only harden when u mix it 2gether with the hardener(the gel in the orange tube).Just remember the ratio is 1to1.Then mix the putty until it has the same color as the cap.
Apply the putty o the part.Aply first to the area that needs filling untill it is filled properly then apply the putty around the area for a throughout application.Let the putty cure properly. i advise that u leave it for a day and continue with other build.
After the putty has completely cured, the first step is to remove xcess putty using hobby knife until there is only bout 1mm left on the surface. Then start sanding using first the lower grit sandpaper and move up to higher grit.I forgot to mention that a higher grit sandpaper will give u a finer finish( almost like the starting finish).Of course the final result would make the kit look a bit off with some part a little discoloured, nothing to be worried about since this is only the building phase.After all, when u aplied the primer and paint on top it would look like the part was form from one piece.With this technique ending the building part i will start the next one with priming and preparing the kit for painting... dont worry along the way if i had any idea on modification i will make sure to mention it in my blog.
