READ TIME 5 - 10 MINS
YELLOW EVERYONE, this is Unlock Project, we are pleased to bring you this week’s HG Virtue Gundam custom process, Char's Pink C.P. Custom. CHECK OUT OUR USE OF CANNED SPRAY THIS WEEK.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Big Idea
- Process: Sanding
- Process: Scribe
- Process: Putty
- Process: Priming
- Process: Paint
- Process: Photo Etch
- Process: Repair
- Conclusion
(Disclaimer: we have left Amazon affiliate links below as well, so if you like, you could shop from it at no extra cost and we may get a bit of financial help to keep doing what we do!)
BIG IDEA
The idea is to customize the HG Virtue Gundam from the 00 series to the colour that my "Disciple" wanted.
To see Virtue’s building process and experience, you can click on this link to view the video on our YouTube.
Now to the primary objectives for this Virtue C.P. Custom. We will be going through the entire process from sanding to the coating of the HG Virtue for this custom colorway! Get your HG Virtue kit here!
PROCESS: SANDING
Materials / Tools used
- MADWORKS Sand Board
- MADWORKS Sandpaper 400 Grit
- MADWORKS Sandpaper 600 Grit
- MADWORKS Sandpaper 800 Grit
- MADWORKS Sandpaper 1000 Grit
After disassembling the parts, we sanded down nub marks. We started sanding the nub marks from 400 grit to 1000 grit in a progressive method.
PROCESS: SCRIBE
Materials / Tools used
- Mr Hobby GSI Ceros Hooked 0.3mm
- MDH 0.3mm Guide Tape
We decided to add panel lines to make parts appear less chunky and monotonous. We had difficulty scribing for a few reasons. First was the compatibility of scriber size. A 0.3mm scriber on an HG kit made the lines look out of scale. Secondly, a small scriber handle, which is not recommended for those with shaky hands and sweaty palms caused problems. Lastly, the guiding tape that we are using was too thin.
Alternatively, you may want to try out the Dspaie scriber set. We are now using the round handle with flat broaches and the triangular handler with hooked broaches.
PROCESS: PUTTY
Materials used for
- Tamiya Epoxy Putty Smooth Type
There were some minor mistakes - scribing onto the guide tape and changes to the design. We used Tamiya's epoxy putty smooth surface on the excess and unwanted scribe lines. Afterword, we keft it to cure for 1 to 2 days before sanding it down. As an alternative, you can also use "Bob Smith Industry CA Glue" or Super Glue.
PROCESS: PRIMING
Materials / Tools used
- Mr Hobby Surfacer 1500 Grey Spray Can
For priming, we used Mr Hobby Surfacer 1500 Grey for the entire kit. However, canned spray always gives us inconsistency, resulting in an uneven coating.
If you make a mistake, it can be washed off with thinner or isopropyl alcohol and reprimed again.
PROCESS: PAINTING
Materials / Tools used
- Mr Hobby Gundam Color Spray (Char's Pink)
- Mr Hobby Premium Topcoat (Semi-Gloss)
- Hobby Mio Gold
- Hobby Mio Detailed Metal Silver
- Hobby Mio Red
- Hobby Mio Mecha Black
We started with Char's Pink on all white parts of the kit while masking smaller details for red. Chest plate, backpack, backpack’s arms and cannon turrets were painted in detailed metal silver. The cannon’s casings were then painted with mecha black & red. Finally, the V-fin and exhaust parts were painted with gold. After the painting was done, we left it to cure for 24 to 48 hours before we did a top coat with Mt Hobby Premium Top Coat Semi-Gloss.
PROCESS: PHOTO ETCH
We added photo etch for a few pieces to bring out more details.
The photo etches were glued onto the parts with PVC glue. This add-on would be great to add more details to your kit but they can be really tiny for HG kits, and photo etch can be costly as well.
PROCESS: REPAIR
Materials / Tools used
- Mr Hobby Cement SP
- White Spruce
- Tamiya Epoxy Putty Smooth Type
- 1.6mm thick stainless steel wire
- 1.6mm Godhand Drill Bit
- Mallet
Initially, we cut both hand connectors by mistake and then tried to melt down white sprues with Mr Hobby Cement SP to fill the gap. But it didn't last, so we used 1.6mm thickness stainless steel wire to connect the two parts. We then drilled 2 holes with Godhand’s 1.6mm drill bit, inserted wire with a mallet, used epoxy putty to reinforce the area and left to cure for 4 days. So far, this has been holding up fine! But if it is possible, it would be best to just get the joint replaced; repaired parts will never be as strong as new ones.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, average planning, great experience gained from repairing the joint and an act of impulse has given birth to a good custom.
Desmond looked at the Producer and said, “Can I apply funding for Godhand’s magnifying glasses?”
So do check out our video here and THANKS GUYS!
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