Build a Gundam
Building a Gundam Plastic Model Kit (or Gunpla, in hobby circles) can be fun and challenging. There are many ways to go about the construction of one. Here are some helpful tips to make your progress more efficient and streamlined.
Steps
- Remove all sheets from individual packaging.
- Place sheets in alphabetical order.
- If you plan on doing detailed ink work it is best to do so before clipping out individual pieces. Also allow 10 minutes for ink to dry before beginning construction. If you make an error you can either use a pencil eraser to remove the mistake or use some very fine sandpaper.
- Use either a nail clipper to get rid of the nubs, or a sprucing knife for a more fine job.
- Refer to the instructions and follow them page by page.
- When asked to construct a leg or arm consider building 2 at the same time for smoother progress. (Be careful not to mix up parts!)
- Refrain from attaching appendages before final model completion. Possible errors may still occur at this point and will need to be reworked before hand. Now is also the best time to apply additional stickers or any other post construction detail.
- When applying etching sticker, you must cut out the sticker with a sprucing knife(anything works but sprucing knives are easier to work with), tape on the sticker with clear tape, and then etch away, with a blunt hard object. and then carefully peel away the tape. For any air bubbles just push them out with a cotton ball or cut them out.
- Finished.
Tips
- Have patience! You do not want to foul up your beloved work of art!
- You should always attempt to remove parts from the plastic trees by clipping them out, then trimming off or sanding down the remaining stumps. Be careful not to trim off pegs used in the construction of the model though!
- Consider purchasing a "Gundam pen" for adding additional details, such as panel lines. It may be best to first try these pens on a spare Gunpla, and build up some level of skill before putting them to use on your favorites.
- Consider building High Grade (1/144) models first if you are a beginner. Master Grade (1/100) models require slightly more finesse, and Perfect Grade (1/60) models are extremely complex, sometimes even including metal parts and screws as well as electrical parts, requiring wiring.
- Use tweezers to apply those extra tiny stickers or when the target spot is extremely small or hard to reach.
Warnings
- If a certain part (or some part of the instructions) confuses you, stop and view the finished product on the box; you don't want to put things together backwards or upside-down!
- Refrain from using box cutters or X-Acto knives as you risk injuring yourself; a pair of small wire cutters should work perfectly.
Things You'll Need
- A Gundam Plastic Model Kit
- Pliers/tweezers
- Wire cutters (preferably small; nail clippers also work!)
- Miniature screw drivers (only on Perfect Grade kits!)
- A small tray of water and Q-tip (if there are water decals included)
- Sandpaper/file
- Sprucing knife/hobby knife
- Hard cutting surface
