nope... both have different uses....
softer for decals that are on the "hole" to let them go in, get wat i mean?

Setter is to melt the decal to let it settle... can't really see it melt but it's useful for water decals though it's meant for green decal sheets

yup, been using softer to fill in those on panel lines, but also used the same thing to 'lekat' waterslides, macam sama aje but imho softer is stronger - melts more?

tat one i duno, nvr tried softer b4..

haiz so do i have to buy setter? i already have softer.... i wan use on water slide decal and green decal also lek....

Is Enamel usefuk or Arcylic useful for HandBrush?

depends wat u wan it for.....
water slide sfter can use but not green one


if handpaint then use acrylic, enamel very dilute for handpainting

no la, in fact enamel is more suitable for handpainting coz of its slow drying time (less brush stroke ma)..
very dilute or not depends how much thinner being added.

one thing, acrylic is much easier to clean up compare others so if for newbie i suggest use acrylic.

the magic is there is no magic and shortcut in handpainting.
is all about practise, practise and practise.
one advise.. go thin and multiple layer for better result.

setter: u brush a little on the surface before u apply decal, then put the decal, although with setter underneath, u still can readjust the position until u happy. setter ability to melt is weaker than softer, but it still melts decal. so by melting minimal, it helps the decal to "grab" onto the surface stronger. also unlike water, setter vaporise faster, so can apply a little more while u push any air bubble trapped in between decal n the surface.

if u use only softer, since it melts decal, which helps the decal to grab the surface, but sometimes the softer didn't melt till the bottom of the decal, so it didnt help to grab the surface. thus silvering problem might still happen

acrylic: the best part is, acrylic can wash, if u made any mistake n only sees it when the paint has already dried. Also more people doing gunpla have experience using it; so if anything more people u can ask if u encounter problems. but acrylic is weaker, easier to scratch.

thinner: can use water to thine(cheapest), or hobby thinner(expensive)

Enamel: this one those hardcore modeller use one, especially hand painting those 1/35 military figure. Good thing: very durable, will never welt once it dries. so if u want to add many layers of color on top of a color, something like when u r drawing a water color picture in school, go for enamel. the bottom sure wont melt one, which might be a down point. cause any mistake u didnt see, cannot change already once it dries up.

but since enamel takes long to dry, after 15 minutes u still can wipe it up, it's easier to control the color. just keep on editing until you satisfy.

also cheap medium: usually the first round of enamel base color, i use industrial thinner to thin. later, i use distilled tuppertine (for oil paint) from artshop. 1 bottle RM7.

in short:

acrylic: u paint, and do minor adjusting of the color n correcting mistakes. let it dry. if still not satisfy, wash away the color (the whole thing) and redo again.

enamel: u paint, and can do major adjustment and correction within the 20~30 minutes, until u satisfy. let it dry n that's it.


Personally, i prefer enamel when come to hand brushing. but dont buy tamiya's, cause not much choice in malaysia. try look for humbrol (dengeki modeller also introduce this before) which u can find in Hobby HQ in city square.

This post has been edited by rayloke: Nov 11 2008, 02:18 PM

hi peeps,

i've been browsing the net on modding...needlessly to mention, Keita's works are definitely impressively stunning.

i have 2 questions;


1) am wondering what is the NAME of the plastic material used for modding? say, to extend a part, to build/enhance a part.

kindly have a look at attached pic, it shows 2 V gundam, i'm seriously curious on what and how the shoulder, arm, skirt and leg parts are being improved.


2) does keita build/cut/trim the parts from scratch by using the plastic materials? or with putty or sort?


appreciate if i could be enlighten on these. thank you in advance and have a great day ahead.

peace~

1) those plastic materials are called PLA-PLATE, it has all kind of sizes to use...

2) of cos, depends wat he wants to do... some parts will nid to use putty or polyester to reshape...

thx Zero, your reply is much appreciated...i shall start googling on Pla Plate then...

Eh may i clarify sumthing here ? When u say " if u want gloss u spray separately " Does that mean if u want a part gloss i DONT use primer, or USE primer ? Sorry but i dont understand ur statement... Thnx in advance.

when i said u wan gloss, u spray separately is imply on those kits that "certain parts" u wan gloss...
let's say MG kit, if u wan the frame gloss then u spray the frame gloss, dun spray the whole thing 2gether... get wat i mean??
as long as u spray color then u nid 2 prime ma.. wat to do wiv gloss???
gloss is a finishing/topcoat

Ohhh swt sori i misread ur statement... i thot u meant primer... actually ure talking about Topcoat ... Sory sorry

yes yes... =.="
topcoat got flat/semi-gloss/gloss...
primer is primer...

mebbe u can try joining some forum that strictly meant for gundam modeling, or modeling itself.

then u can find more info, tutorial etc. those more specify forum..........


(mod, please dont ban me............. )

thx ray for the advice, yup i've been reading on both lowyat & hobby fanatic forums...also, checking the links posted on those gundam blogs....but sad lar, many good ones are in japs...

trying to find out more info on my own before asking questions...pity the more experienced guys like u all lar, have to keep answering those so called "dejavu" questions lar... but i did find out many answers from the dejavu posts thou

thx again

noob question..

can i juz spray my gundam model with tamiya spray can paint straight? how will it turn out?..

what are the steps if wanna paint the model with spray can?

thanks for advice..

1) Wash with detergent
2) Prime it with primer
3) Spray with desire paint
3) coat with gloss if needed.