Basic Paint and Panel Lines - Anime - http://maxpages.com/gundamwing2001/Basic_Paint_and_Panel

This lesson will cover basic painting and panel line techniques.

Tools needed for this project:

Gundam Model
A BASIC Testor Paint Kit
Flat Gray Spray Primer
Flat White Spray Paint
02-05 Fine Paintbrushes
220 Grade Sandpaper
.005 and .01 black Micron Art Pen
Sharp X-Acto Knife

First, we'll start out with the stem inspection, making sure that everything is there. Next, take all of the stems (except the clear parts) outdoors or to a well-ventilated area. If you have access to a clothesline, use it.
If not, lay newspaper down on a clear spot such as the ground or the top of a trashcan. Hang your stems with old clothespins and spray several light coats of primer, always spraying with the wind away from important things, such as windows, cars and pets. Ooops! Allow them to dry.

The color of the stem is usually the color the final piece is supposed to be. (Ex: white stem = white part, red stem = red part, etc…) Take the white stem and spray it with the flat white paint. Use 2 or 3 light coats.

Here's a helpful hint to avoid unwanted fingerprints. Wash your hands before handling the white parts!!!

Now that the stem is dry, and we are following the rules from the first lesson, remove the pieces according to the instructions. Begin painting pieces you won't have access to later. (I.E. the pilot in the cockpit in step 1) The photos on the box and instructions are very important to your color scheme. Just be sure to take your time and use the box art.

The next thing you'll want to get out of the way are the parts that need to be puttied. There are certain seam lines that need to be filled in. In this kit, there aren't many. The head, thighs and engine blocks were pretty much it.
Using the modeling putty, follow the seam-line with the tip of the tube. Make sure to only use a tiny bit. You just want to fill the crack, not ice a cake! It's similar to buttering bread. Spread the putty down the crack until it disappears. Allow it to harden, than sand the surface until it's smooth. Now you're ready to paint.

Here's another quick tip. Before painting the missile bay, make sure you paint the missiles first before you snap them. You should use a dark color for the inside and underneath of the bay cover. This gives the model more depth and realism.

You can add panel lines with a fine tipped marker for greater detail. I've found that Micron art pens work the best for this area. I generally like to use the sizes .005 and .01. You should wait until after you're done with the initial painting to do the panel lines.

The box art or the instructions are the easiest guide to follow. Make sure you take your time in this area. If for some reason your pen takes on a mind of it's own and goes across the piece, don't worry. Take the point of your X-Acto knife and lightly scrape off the ink mistake. Touch it up with some paint and you're ready to continue. You will see a big difference between a painted and an unpainted kit.

Now you're ready for the final assembly (if you haven't already done it).
This kit has two main parts, the Mobile Suit RX-178 and FXA-05D Flying Unit. The main unit gets a bit top heavy when you connect them, but it will work with a few adjustments here and there.

This kit also includes some really great weapons. There's a long rifle, beam rifle, beam sabers, missiles, bazooka and something called a Vulcan Pod. There are also three sets of hands to choose from, so make sure you choose wisely because it's time to go.

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Page Updated Sat Nov 15, 2003 2:46pm EST