WIP: 1/48 G-system RX-78-2 Eiyuu Tan Ver. Part 1

I began work on this in January - it is my first large-scale resin project.  I've been working on it, and it really isn't too different from a regular 1/100 project - the pieces just require more time to paint.

Casting is phenomenal and I'm going to be entering this into the MAC forum contest (though I am more doing this solely for fun).  Painting will be once again majority Plamo Colour. 


Here's a pic of the pinned project next to a 1/100 model for scale.


Priming the gigantic shield


Added some details to the skirts (see GB 101: Plamo Plate Modification)


80% complete with the gun - have to flat coat it after I add some more details


Painted the lower half of the torso (only showing 1 leg here).  Almost done with all of the white and red, next is gray, then blue.

More to come!

Gundam Building 101: Re-Bending Bent Resin Pieces

I love resin kits.  I love their weight, and just the sheer fact that the majority of the major resin kit manufacturers seem to proportion their kits much cooler looking than the stock Bandai HGUC or MG (or even PG) kits.  And their selection of jaw dropping kits is amazing as well.

However, no caster (or re-caster) is perfect, and when you receive your pieces, you can find many different errors.  One of them is bent pieces.  Typically these happen on smaller and thinner pieces - especially prone is the v-fin.  Historically, I've just ignored it, or tried to re-build the v-fin altogether.  However, fixing the bend is an easy 5+ minute job with steady hands and patience.


1. I received a particularly bent v-fin.  This picture doesn't quite show exactly how bent it was, but it was pretty significant.


2. Get a cup or bowl large enough to hold a part of the piece, and fill it about 60-70% full.  Microwave it until it boils.  I microwaved a coffee-cup sized amount for 2 minutes.  Being careful not to burn yourself, dip the part into the scalding hot water - but don't fully immerse it unless you have to.  Only dip the part until just past the bend.


3.  Keep the part in there for about 20-30 seconds. Gently push and guide the piece into the position you want it to go once you pull it out.  Once that is done, make sure you rest the piece on a flat surface, or one that adheres to the intended shape.
Note: Depending on how thick it is, you may need to dip it longer.  You want the piece to warm up to be almost like a very hard putty.  The way to test this is to SLOWLY and GENTLY bend the piece to how you want it to bend.  If it doesn't budge with gentle pressure, stick it in the water for longer.


4. Voila!  Make sure you leave it alone for about 30 minutes before you mess with it again.  It should be ready in a shorter amount of time, but I err on the side of caution - especially when it comes to v-fins!

I'm sure there are going to be more complicated projects than the one I have demonstrated here for various projects you  may have, feel free to post here for questions.  The process really isn't that scary, and the resin doesn't immediately become doughy or liquidy - it takes some time.