Yes. Gloss before panel-lining. I gloss with Future Floor Acrylic (mainly because I have it on-hand, will maybe move to a lacquer gloss when I run out), and the enamels that I thin down clean off well from it. Sometimes it still might leave residue if you've made a mess, so just use a regular plastic eraser at the smudges and it'll all look fine after your final topcoat (whether it be gloss, semi-gloss or matte). I don't gloss metallics before panel-lining, though, because metallics are generally super-gloss to begin with. Haven't any issues this way, but YMMV.
I used to use future but, apart from not being able to get an even finish, the topcoat would eat into it
Great info, so it seems like basically a lacquer or acrylic topcoat is a good idea. Is enamel thinner still the thing to use to clean up the excess?
Weird! I've never had that happen, and I still use the GX114 that you recommended to me a couple of years ago! Excess of your panel-line wash? Enamel thinner might be too harsh. Use lighter fluid; in small amounts it'll remove the excess of the panel-line wash without eating into your gloss or your paint layer.
I use scissors too and have okay results too, but sometimes it tends to fray and I'll dab some model cement on the ends. My last mishap of tubing mistakes was with F90: It also had something to do with the rod the tubing fit over, there's a sudden 90 degree bend at the bottom and for some reason the tubing started to pull apart. I managed to fix it with some of my Canopy Glue. But now that you've mentioned another solvent to try, I'll pick some up. I might have something you can use if you need it. I have a considerable excess length of the black mesh tube from my Shenlong Liaoya. I just need to know if it's the same diameter as the Z Plus's.
HG Load Astray Double Rebake None of its gimmick works well. Can't even hold its guns in non-awkward way. Pretty lackluster kit overall. The base body is great though. We will definitely get an excellent Lord Astray Omega retool down the road. Until then, this kit will be staying in box out of sight and out of mind.
Double Zeta PlusI did some panel lining on unit 03, but I think I'll hold off on the rest so I can build it without ink smudging my fingers the entire time.pew pew, beam cannons
After having done exactly zero model kit work in a few months (ALL YEAR!), I went back in and did a Universal Unit kit today, from start to finish in a single day as part of a college project. The paint turned out great honestly, but the face was very lacking. So, I went in and did some painting on the face by hand! I'm pretty happy with the results overall, especially when you consider the size. Fun enough little kit, though the thing is very, very basic. Fewer pre-assembled parts than some of the other ones of these I've built with my fiancee, though. Gotta get back to doing "real" kits though.
Art Project Gunpla! It's so underappreciated. and I applaud the smooth handbrushing, that's how I like to paint. - You could say it's... all in the hips. I mean literally. These are Exia's hips. primed lines for metallic details and painted lights. The technique I use is I don't put too much pressure on the brush. lay it on the part and brush to fill as much space in long continuous strokes, and the right concentration of paint to thinner. Cover as much surface space with a fiber sponge brush, and then coming in at the tight creases with a finepoint. prime, paint, patch, and repeat to fix mistakes.
Still looking for the ver ANIME Guntank and Acguy, but I think Im gonna throw in the towel on an affordable Robot Spirits Zeong (MSN-02). Does anyone have a comparison with the HGUC model kit?
Everything is DONE on the MG Wing TV! Just letting a few parts fully cure overnight before final assembly. In the meantime, here's a completed arm: I'll take some completed pics later this week of the whole thing.
the DRITZ FRAY CHECK is great for this kind of stuff, as it is a light. liquid fabric adhesive that really penetrates in. i used it, first and foremost, on the edges, and, once dry, (about 10 min.) i could slip the sheaths on the tubes, and slip them through the end bezels just fine without any fraying issues...
Sounds like a plan for me too, both parts of that actually. You going straight forward build or do you have any of the AoZ expansions?