Advice for Building Bandai Models

[Gnar Gnar Jinn]

Hi,

I'm brand spanking new to modeling... I've built 2 of the Revell level 1 SW7 kits, and then painted them with oils after the builds were complete. I really enjoyed weathering the reveal kits... the building part was less than satisfactory though... Moving up to a more advanced level of modeling, I have a few questions, I did a quick search of the RPF and a quick google, but did not find anything that adequately helped me answer my question.

I've picked up a few Bandai models (Y-wing, Snowspeeder, and I plan on picking up more), and I'm wondering what tips you all might have for building?

My main questions are:

Assembly:
-Build the entire kit then paint? Paint sub sections first then assemble?
-To glue, or not to glue?

Painting:
-Recommendation on paint type/brands?
-Airbrush vs. handpaint (small panels vs. big panels)

Any recommended resources for learning modeling techniques?

I've done a few cosplays, and spend most of my time building 1:1 props (lightsabers, blasters) so I'm not a total newbie to many building techniques, but don't know quite how to approach building models

 

[mcusanelli]

Gnargnar,
I would say that the best course is just common sense. I think acrylic/water based paints work great, or pick the ones you like best. I love Apple Barrel and Folk-Art, very inexpensive and excellent quality - But there's lots of good paint out there. I think sub assembly painting works good - For instance, on the Y-wing kit i just started, I built the cockpit pod minus the little cockpit detail parts, they're small models, so it's easier for my bannana sized fingers to hold the thing if some of it's together. On this one, I'll put the main fuselage together first, minus the piping parts, to make it easier to do some weathering and washes, then add the piping. What ever makes it easiest for you, that's the right way! Just have fun with it! By the way, you cannot go wrong with the Bandai stuff, it is absolutely remarkable.

 

[Gnar Gnar Jinn]

thanks, here's a pic of the reveal falcon... I'm currently working on the streaking... need to do a little more touching up, but for what it is, I'm fairly happy...

 

[Galactican]

I think I'll be getting a Revell Falcon, too, and add a cardboard cockpit interior. So far the German retailers mix the specs of the small and the big one in their catalogues; recently I saw an offer for the small one with electronics but with the price tag and the scale of the big one.

 

[astroboy]

Definitely use the airbrush for all base coating and paneling. I've tried to hand paint panels and it looks awful.

And at this scale, I wouldn't use the airbrush for any weathering. Just oils, chalk pastels and pigments

 

[Mike J.]

Be careful

Maybe go thru the assembly instructions once without physically assembling anything, just to familiarize yourself with the parts and order. I've built the big FM X-wing twice, and both times I assembled the engine intakes incorrectly (parts in the wrong order).

If these kits are designed to snap together without glue, which I think they are, you're not going to easily get them apart again if you assemble something wrong.


-MJ

 

[shadowlova]

The Y-Wing is for sure the trickiest of the Bandai kits so far. I used Tamiya spray and enamel for the bits I brushed. As long as you use good brushes it won't look crap. I also used panel line. I painted the base colours while still on the sprues.

 

[mcusanelli]

gnargnar,
The Falcon looks great! I love how you weathered it. Another thing you could do is take some fine sandpaper and make the pre-painted panels a bit scuffed up and worn. real easy to do, and it adds a lot.
Shadowlova - Beautiful job on the Y-Wing! You're right about the brushes, good ones make all the difference, also a couple of thin coats instead of one thick coat makes a difference, especially with acrylics.
galactican - I can't wait to see what you do with it! I want to do that too, but for me, it's scary small parts to make, so I will probably just paint the windows...

 

[Necronaut]

A word of warning about enamels on Bandai kits. The plastic in these kits does not react well with enamels. The plastic will become very brittle and will start to develop stress fractures and cracks. It tends to happen most wherever enamel paint can pool or run into a crevice.
My Bandai TIE fighter started to fall apart after an enamel weathering and pin wash. It's a common problem with all Bandai kits. This was my first time ever using enamels on one of their kits.

 

[shadowlova]

A word of warning about enamels on Bandai kits. The plastic in these kits does not react well with enamels. The plastic will become very brittle and will start to develop stress fractures and cracks. It tends to happen most wherever enamel paint can pool or run into a crevice.
My Bandai TIE fighter started to fall apart after an enamel weathering and pin wash. It's a common problem with all Bandai kits. This was my first time ever using enamels on one of their kits.

You must use a primer before putting on colour or anything else.

 

[Galactican]

I heard that before. I am planning to use Revell's Aqua Colours to paint my Droids. Do these affect the plastic, too?

 

[Gnar Gnar Jinn]

gnargnar,
The Falcon looks great! I love how you weathered it. Another thing you could do is take some fine sandpaper and make the pre-painted panels a bit scuffed up and worn. real easy to do, and it adds a lot.

That's been my biggest complaint about this kit so far! thanks for the tip! It's too late for the falcon, but'll for sure do that on the Revell T-70! (i'e been using these two kits to practice techniques so i'm doing less trial and error on the Bandai models)

 

[mcusanelli]

gnargnar,
Based on what you've done on the Falcon, I don't think you have to worry!