Again I'm speaking to Testors because it's the most commonly available in the US, but same applies for any other product. will spraying top coat on painted gundams make the paint wear off? The most important of which is that Testors Dullcote is a lacquer based spray. I do my best but I think this is messing up the process a bit :/. Finally, a good Gundam top coat can prevent your model from looking like an ordinary plastic toy; it not only makes it look more realistic, but quite simply, much cooler! I'm not 100% sure what's going on here, or whether other floor polishes would work, but Future works fantastically. I dont mind it if its a few localized areas like the eyes, but when its so prominent like the gold lining on the Sinanju, Im not a big fan =/. What is top coating? 5 Best Luxury Brand Collabs and How to Get Them For Less. Havent try rubbing it with laquer thinner, though. The decals are available at most online retailers that carry models, like Hobby Search, HLJ, Rainbowten, HWJapan, etc. Im a pretty big LEGO enthusiast (collect the Star Wars UCS kits). wondering if gloss top coat will also fog the clear part, thanks for writing this article.
Hence the name. Here are some to consider: While I encourage everyone with the means to venture into model-painting to do so, I fully understand that all this may very well seem overwhelming to the plamo newcomer who hasnt even chosen their first kit yet. Thanks for reading. Do you prefer (usually) to paint over your plastic Gundam first before use Top Coat or you just spray directly onto the plastic (similar trick you explain above) ? kudos! Idon't recommend this though because cans approach orange peel texture after the second or third coat. Have Iscared you out of doing a gloss coat yet? The general consensus I've seen is that Krylon clear coats aren't bad but won't get you the same great results that you would see from a brand geared toward scale models. coat gunpla pearl tamiya guide clear testors layman tutorial gloss just prime and spray standard colours without the flashy stuff), then I say just go with top coat. @chag, but i have heard from my friend that somehow the top coat (mr topcoat) had liquid-fied the gundam markers he had used on his gundams. amzn_assoc_title = "Flat/matte top coat sprays on Amazon"; chag please help me what do you think of this procedure? Its completely safe to put top coat over foil and clear stickers in fact, I do it all the time! Im starting to tire of the the ever-expanding technicality of something thats supposed to be fun and enjoyable, Not devastating when you spend three months on a project and all your cash only to wreck a model because of one moment in time with one product? Keep in mind that low temperature or high humidity might also play a part too! Nah, Ive never used Krylon before, though I am curious as to how they perform since theyre a lot cheaper than the Japanese stuff. 1. Just because you don't see your favorite method here, or one you've heard recommended elsewhere, doesn't mean it's not viable. Example of satin finish: Also available are industrial paint can brands like Bosny, Lotus and RJ London, which provide clear coating. What are the differences between these two and the flat/matt you suggested in the article? I never thought about immersing spray cans in hot water since I hardly ever use spray cans, but I guess it makes sense. Im freshly new to the gunpla building(only build 2 SD models, but already ordered 2 HG kits) so dont have the skills and the tools to painting, but always thought that the toy look from out of the box gunpla was awful. Oh howdy! If you could advise me on what I could use then I would be most grateful. This is a really great and helpful article. after spraying the Mr.Super clear flat on my model..it became milky white like a freezing effect. Due to budget and logistical constraints, I never paint my kits fully. Thanks again! In fact, on my PGZaku-IIIfound that subsequent coats actually worked to thin the previously applied Dullcote resulting in no change to the look. Been busy with adult life. Worry not! after reading this then i managed to do it properly, thx alot man!!! Sand with everything nice and wet, generally under a faucet or in a water filled dish. oh wait, the top coats that i will apply will be lacquer instead of acrylic. shiney plastic looking legs + matte topcoat = condensed milk on legs?!?!?!?! The Gouf turned out looking more matte-looking than the rest of my models. I need to build here (I stay another 4 weeks) because I cannot fit the box in my suitcase (or anywhere else to transport). Ive recently gotten back into modeling gundam kits, and have been trying to work with a top coat to seal them. I dont know jack about the painting process of the figmas and Nendoroids, but I assume Max Factory workers seal in the paint job with a clear coat of their own. BTW Real grade RX78-2 doesnt really need much paneling IMHO. [] more information on using top coat without paint on plamo kits, check out the guide over at my own blog.
It will be more trouble and money time consuming if I spray paint it first. I do my top coating after assembly, because since the coating is transparent, minor flaws in coating distribution are very hard to notice. However, you can get your favorite supplies to help with top coating your Gunpla on FROM JAPAN. That said, I did a lot of reading prior to my first build and opted to use Mr. Super Clear Matte as my top coat. The extra money is worth the ease. That would be a clear gloss spray rather than a matt/flat one, but otherwise it is also a clear top coat like the others. Great posts all, Ive actually used Testors Dullcote on some of the kits, I believe I used it on the Astray Blue Frames non Gloss Parts. Anyways I got krylon cuz my local hobby store had it and also prime92 and vegeta8259 uses it and it seems to work really good, not to mention its cheaper and last longer. Stop by your local home supply shop and look for some very, very fine sandpaper (1200 grit or higher) that's usually made specifically for wet usage. Some guides recommend that you spray inside your comfort room because it has the least dust in the house, but you should never do that!
Apply wash Great article. Unfortunately it's probably the most difficult top coat one can undertake.
or will the top coat peel off the stickers? . Want to see what kits and builds I'm getting into? amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "chag03b-20"; You wont always find the right colours from canned spray paints, Demands an environment that can accommodate for the noise/fume/mess. Without any other paint? Floor finish? It's been used for years by modeling professionals to clear coat everything from Gundams, to cars, to airplane canopies. 
This might be a dumb question but how do you hold the arms, legs, etc. I touch up on the details when I need to, but other than that, its just top coat on bare plastic for me. thanks for all the info mate, just what i was looking for. If you want to get into painting, I recommend the Hobby Fanatics forum. When it comes to cop coating the preferred method is to coat each piece individually. I like the Japanese products. Very useful when time and budget are very limited. Wouldnt it be great if top coat can fix the sheen on the Kotobukiya Senjougaharas skin? The more coats you apply the more likely you're going to happen upon the dreaded "orange peel texture". This means you can sand/file away those annoying nip marks without worrying about any scarring to the model. Id still recommend testing it out on the sprue first, though! I've seen it react negativity to Micron pens on one project and not on the other. Just got some (matte finish) and its my first time topcoating, what weather do I need to do this? This is especially true for older models that were not moulded completely in the correct colours. Great tips! They can usually accommodate up to 3 or 4 1/144 HG kits, or around 2 1/100 MG kits. Sweet, Im looking forward to the kit even more now! Will the topcoat also be able to hide the crack made from the snapping of the plastic? Figures. I once went to ebay and purchased a 6 pack of Mr. Hobby Topcoat from a Hong Kong dealer. Apply multiple, light coats with the can 5-10 inches away from the subject for the best results. Sadly I didnt find your post before trying out the spray (thank God it ddnt turn out bad). These days in the USit's a Pledge brand but still caries the Future shine logo. Other than that, just watch out for strong winds and youll be fine. I came across the idea through an old Danny Choo post about a no-paint gunpla technique that involved top coat and weathering pastels, amongst other things. Ieven went as far as to dull coat the a whole clear PGZaku-II for effect (after painting the inner details of course). | All content on this blog, including articles, artworks, screen shots, graphics, logos, and other files, is the property of their respective owners. I suggest asking other plamo community sites like hobbyfanatics for help on this. Same can be said for paint. Thank you! What is Gunpla?Buying Kits & Applying top-coat drastically tones down the difference between the unpainted and painted parts, but you will notice if you look really close. And itll make youre Gunpla look way better and have your paint job protected! Hey Chag, really liked how your models turned out! If you arent careful when posing your models after youve sprayed, youll leave behind a scratch on the surface. From what Iunderstand other dull sprays out there, like Mr Color, are nice and less abrasive. You may spray a section down only to pose your kit later and discover that you missed a spot. Let me know what you find! It'll probably spray on easier than you're used to with paint so careful not to overdo each coat. Find a well ventilated place, preferably outdoors on a warm sunny day so that the top coat will dry faster. In the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to ask via comment, twitter(@Chag_HH) or email and Ill answer them to the best of my casual modeler abilities. Nah top coat is designed to to be sprayed on top of paint. Just rub very softly the surface with a tissue and a small amount of alcool, it worked on mine, i had the same problem when i sprayed my model airplane. =D. Spraying Flat will reduce the shininess of your model. Airbrush is definitely an option for me financially. Starting to see some of that orange peel texture Imentioned above? . Find a proper disposal station in your local community, and enjoy painting your Gundam top coat to perfection without accident or injury. We can help! Photography. Question: can you spray tamiya spray paints over a kit that has been spray with Mr. Super Clear Flat? Its been a while since my elementary science classes). The short answer would be push down on the spray nozzle, but you knew that already, didnt you? Every example represents two light coats unless otherwise specified. hi chag, Im having the same problem. 2. paint panel lines (enamel with enamel thinner). Whereas the latter two can be fixed by replacing the damaged surface finish with a uniform matte finish, a crack in the piece is going to remain a crack no matter what finish you give it, especially if there are stress marks on the plastic. I also worry about the glittering ( shining ) decals. So heres the long version: Wow, this filler post sure ran on for far longer than I anticipated. I see, no wonder why then, cigarette smoke is the culprit. Hmmm, small spot? Apply stickers/decal 7. Semi-gloss/Clear Topcoat and wont the joints stick together if you spray them with top coat? Thanks in advance. thank you!!!! Yeah Ill report what I find once i get the chance to topcoat..probably in a few months lol the weather is freezing up here right now. Because panel lining is best done on a smooth glossy finish! Let me elaborate more. Besides, red and yellow are very common colours, so Im sure youll find use for them in your future builds! It just keeps frosting as soon as the spray fucking touches the plastic. Ive been waiting my my waterslide decals for the RG kit to arrive, so Ive only built the inner frame, legs and feet. Spending a huge amount of time on decals. *We cannot ship the products to overseas*. Hey Chag, I got a question, I accidentally snapped some parts on my Strike Noir MG 2 years ago. will this do? Thats a good question. I wonder if the Marker Paint starts running again And to answer your last question: I panel line after I assemble everything. Your email address will not be published. This left-to-right spraying motion, started and stopped to either side of your model, prevents excess paint as well as paint dripping woes. Im new at doing all this! I have myself a revoltech Jehuty from the Zone of The Enders franchise. Thanks for the hint I will try to pick up what you suggested for the RG (Copic Modeller .2mm) , but I am in Japan right now and got the RG as a gift from a Co-worker. Simply shake the can well and spray on. Hold your models around 20-30cm away and flick your wrists back and forth while spraying. Which was what I was originally after. Wanted to try that ages ago as I already have the can with me. Besides, it saves on spray, which certainly isnt getting any cheaper right now, what with the brutal exchange rate these days.Top coat does help to seal in clear stickers and especially waterslide decals, but the mileage varies.Foil stickers are your worst enemy when you top coat your models, because they are very, very shiny. Great job! Wet sanding is pretty straight forward. You can spray up to around 3 coats for maximum effect.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out. The parts are all coloured but Id love to give it a better looking finish. 
Top coat is able to cover scratches on plastic partly because there is no colour difference between scratched and unscratched surfaces. If its just small specks thats onlynoticeableup close, then its normal for a flat coating. It would be preferable to buy some industrial goggles in order to protect your eyes. Why? Shake the can well before each spray to get even results. Ive never used the UV Cut version does it protect the model from discolouration from the sun? Practice on some HG kits. This is partly because I had to spray a lot to cover up the serious scratches I made on the kit, but I also suspect that Mr. Super Clear also gives off a slightly chalkier finish than Mr. Top coat. Paint time is few and far between, so the quick and easy nature of a spray can vs. an airbrush setup is what works best for me right now. If you have an airbrush kit and compressor, you can use that to topcoat your Gunpla. It's sort of hard to compare different top coat results without having the ability to hold a piece in your hand and examine different angles under a direct light source. Top coating is a method wherein you use a clear colored paint to seal in and protect whatever surface you are applying it on, and it is actually used in car manufacturing to help give cars a glossy finish. Then if I decide to take it apart will the clear coat hamper a rebuild of the legs. As for the weather, Id try to spray the model on a dry and warm day to avoid the mist from condensing. If using a can, spray outside to avoid stinking up your place, Always physically inspect pieces before a top coat to make sure they're free of dust or other imperfections you would hate to seal. Idull coated the action base for my GN-Xand Turn-A. Ill have a real plamo-related content up soon (probably a RG RX-78-2 review). Still, Im too afraid to try this out on any of my figures ^^; I found Tamiya TS 13 clear, is it the same than the others? Therefore, you can imagine that a Gundam top coat is much more than a protective measure; when properly applied to your Gunpla, it also brings an extra aesthetic touch in either gloss, matte or even in-between. regarding the waterslide decals I read about the issue with stickers before and I had a look around at hobbytown when I picked up the gundam markers and some other stuff I only found waterslide decals for certain MG Modells (1:100) but nothing for the 1:144. Wrapping up my very first Gundam model - MG Jesta! I only filed down the nub marks for this kit. Example of a gloss finish: Sometimes top coating Gunpla requires a bit more finesse, with both types of finish included in the mix. When you're done clean your brush with a mix of water and Windex or acrylic thinner. I havent had this much fun building a model in ages! Oh yeah, come to think of it, the parts on the RG Gundam are so finely divided that you dont really have to mark part divisions anymore, do you? (using Krylons Matte finish ) I was wondering if it was the way i sprayed it or weather ( a bit windy/ sunny), or just the brand. When theres not enough distance between the nozzle and the surface, the spray is going to end up runny and liquid-ish, which may very well cause that problem. If so should i just buy some red and yellow paints? thanks dude! 2. amzn_assoc_linkid = "6f2e22557a7a41cdc63436033f266564"; Although its great for getting info on certain things, its abit of a drag to follow sometimes. Difficulty GradesTerminologyFirst Kit Recommendations (new! See the examples down below. tq. Irecommend a strong light source to help you see how the piece looks. I hope this helps! Prying parts apart is an easy to way scratch the coating. Ideally you want to see a bit of even moisture. Hopefully not, granted you've got the time and a cheap kit to test on. The coat dries within minutes, so it would be reasonable just to hold onto the part in your hand for a while to have it dry a little. You can use sticky tacks to secure your model on your chosen table/surface. Top coats, especially a dull one, has the extra benefit of helping to hide the edges of any applied decals. Peall coats don't really give pieces that proper pearl look, instead it's basically a clear spray with lots of white and silver sparkles in it. 4. You can also dull coat clear pieces to give them a frosty or milky look. Store the spray products in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and your pets, too! I bought my decals from Amiami. You can also create your own Gunpla top coat mixture; simply google to find out more about homemade top coat mixtures. dont set down a wet part flat against another surface). no, true? =), Ah, if youre short on time, then you can just straight assemble the kit and leave the detailing for later in fact, I recommend it. I use a krylon fusion spray for plastic. Be very careful not to spray near open flames, flammable items or areas that are prone to static electricity such as cold, carpeted rooms. http://www.hobbyhovel.com/2010/08/tips-and-tricks-spraying-flat-top-coat-on-unpainted-models.html. Thanks Tier =D.
My hands are just too unsteady to do any consistent work with the marker, which means I spend as just much time correcting my screw-ups as actually panel-lining. If you decide to paint some parts and then leave other parts (for example im going to paint all of the blue, white and grey on 1/144 HG 00 Quanta with the Full Saber add on kit) Will the red and yellow that is left have a different texture to the painted parts? One 15-ml bottle can be used to coat 2-4 MG kits (depend on how you thin it).
I remember when I built my first model. In addition it's easy to be so light with your sprays that you achieve an uneven consistency. 6. Its built but I didnt get the legs quite perfect. 3. The last thing great thing about top coat is an obvious one: it seals in the detailing like panel lines paint touch-ups. Ive never done it before, but from what I hear youll need thinner to do the job. It protects the paint underneath as opposed to make it wear off. Always heard about top coat here, top coat there, but have not been able to try it? It seems that youre pretty keen on making the best out of your 00 Quanta, so I would suggest just getting the red and yellow paints to avoid any potential regret. Instead, aim for the empty space to the left of your Gunpla and spray from left to right, stopping only at the empty space to the right side of your model. i have a couple of questions though. Future can also be applied via a regular ol' brush. Yes, as I mentioned, one of top coats functions is its ability to seal in detailing, including panel lines. Not only is it very clumsy to fumble with the whole tree to get at the panel lines, theres also the fact that your hands will be all over the parts during construction, which leaves your hard work susceptible to being accidentally wiped off by your fingers. Yep, it still on the kit. This doesnt mean you cant get rid of dust on your model youll just have to spend more effort getting that stuff off of a top coated model than a naked model. Thanks Keanerie! If used on an unpainted kit one would be hard pressed to tell the difference before and after. Then move on to the back of your model, repeat the process, and do the same for the left and right sides. Look for a barcode &label on the cap Do you know how to get rid of this thing? Maybe because youre afraid of ruining your Gunpla after all that hard work? If you should have any questions not answered in this tutorial feel free to inquire in the comments section or reach out to fellow modelers on Gunpla sites like r/Gunpla or the Gundam Australia Forum.
That said, I have a wife and two young boys and pretty busy job. In contrast, white stains are comparatively rare when using industrial paint cans. After doing all of that, wait for around 5 minutes to allow the initial top coat to dry. Nice tips and tricks. Unpainted kits can look great with just a nice top coat while painted kits will gain that extra umph. P.s. Hello everyone! or the product number on the bottom. Redditor?
Hehe thanks, Im glad the guides still helping people a year after I posted it! Unfortunately I cant get myself any top coat so im trying to find an alternative solution. I did this to my MG unicorn made such a HUGE!
Anyway, I like this post, its very interesting. Hey there Chag, love the post you made on the Top coat sprays. Gunpla. If you spray the parts too closely, you risk the chance of producing a milky fog on the surface of your model. When applying decals, especially water slide decals, keep in mind that they adhere better to a smooth glossy finish, just like panel lining. This protects the figure from minor abuses like water and play. Thanks, General_Nic, Im glad to hear it! I am talking about GM01 Gm03 btw to use for my real grade kit, thanks for posting all these tips so far, I think I am going to clear coat my RG. When Itop coat Ialways look at my pieces very closely under harsh light to make sure I've gotten everything coated properly. Is it okay to clear coat it. On top of that gloss coats tend to be a bit thicker than dull coats. Hello,wow, thanks for replying ^_^ I find out the problem..and yeah..i was holding the model too close..i just ended up setting them down on a chair and sprayed my topcoat from about a foot away and seems to turn out great except for the a few parts that i didnt notice to have a few dirt specs..and the specs got trapped under the topcoat XD. Can I ask you few questions? Does the top coat make a significant difference if you dont weather the model? I want to come back to him when Im better at painting tho, like giving it weathering etc. dull coat or weathering? The suit looks great and Im working on the rifle / backpack / shield now. Ihaven't hear of anyone destroying their project through their use but that doesn't mean it can't happen. I spent hours taking it off; first scratching it off then I got smart and used my wifes finger nail polish remover. After completing this process, your Gundam top coat should be properly top completed to your satisfaction! :p. BTW, how come the Figma paint job doesnt wear out with washing? And need last advise from you I have PG Strike Freedom Gundam. I wish it would work for me like it seems to do for everybody else I have no clue why I cant seem to able to do it properly , Ah good chags I needed something to help me get to sleep :p, No, but seriously nice little articledoes remind me why I stopped doing model kits though. This way, you wont miss any parts that might otherwise show on the outside. Great article!!! Spray cans are expensive and the cost adds up fast. quick question how many coats do you spray on your model kits? TS-80 has saved me a LOT of hassle., Yeah, the painted parts are going to have a slightly different finish from the unpainted parts, though the degree of the difference will probably vary depending what kind of paint you use. For this purpose, youll want to give your model a layer of flat top coat in order to achieve a matte feel. Before I read your tips, I end up spraying top coat too much Top coat spray cans were really easy to get a couple of years ago, but recently that Japanese retailers ceased to ship pressurized air items due to tightened shipping regulations. Required fields are marked *. LOL. Granted Nagasaki is different size than Tokio, so that may be the reason why where did you order your decals from? I personally wish id never wasted my time,money and perfectly fine looking out of the box gundams on top coating. Hello! Salvio, Another aspect: the effect of the spray on the articulatig little pieces, I have the suspect that the spray aditives can do a lesive action on this little pieces! Topcoating will not ruin your Gunpla as long as you do it the right way! Thanks. Skulblaka-ven: how did you deal with the yellowing? If you have the means to, I would recommend mending the piece with putty, sanding it, and covering it up with paint. This is merely a cheap and lazy alternative to actual painting, which, from what I understand, involves all sorts of steps such as priming, mixing, thinning, spraying, detailing, clear coating, and more. Gloss top coat can be used after painting your Gunpla model with your desired color, but before applying decals and panel lining.
Thats completely up to you, but since I dont display my models with the armour parts off, I did not go of my way to top coat the inner frame. I already try rubbing it with alcohol but still no change. Keep a 20-30 cm distance between the spray can and the subject to avoid making the coating too dense. Let your parts dry before spraying another coat. Since it's a clear coat, catching how much you are applying to a piece can be a pain. I read this tip and trick after I already did it. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; The Model Master spray gives you more bang for the buck but after testing Ifound that second and third coats start to develop a yellow tint. | Gunbies | Buy. Thanks for bringing this topic up! Yea, unfortunately cigarette smoke can discolor plastic in general (even without coating). This makes getting the cans a little trickier. A break in the piece is not the same as scrapes and scratches. it has helped a lot!!! I cant really think of any possible adverse effects on articulation Hmmmm, the top coat in the joints will probably get scratched up and worn out over time, but I think thats about it! Im not just talking about some small markings you leave with a nail file naw, this also applies to serious scratches made by low-grit sandpaper and rough stuff like light woodworking files. Its a great source of knowledge when it comes to these things. Ive basically tried everything from every blog from the past 10 years ive been able to find. I wonder if you can do this to PVC figures. In addition, if you choose to use a flat/matte top coat, theres no need to worry if you have a lot of scratches from sanding your Gunpla model; you can make the small, minor scratches from sanding and cleaning practicallydisappear.
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