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GOUF – Custom Gunpla
This HGUC GOUF Gunpla kit was completed as a palate cleanser while I was beginning to prime a 1/100 Full Mechanics kit (Gundam Gusion). I set myself the goals of completing all the basics by removing seamlines, re-scribing panel lines and giving the kit a base. Bonus goals for this kit were applying larger decals, a wash over the kit, and dry brushing on the base.
The kit being released in the ‘00’s worked for and against it. There were seamlines in bad areas, but the overall part count was low helping maintain momentum throughout the project. Later HGUC Gunpla releases from BANDAI only get better!
As this kit was to be a palette cleanser nothing groundbreaking was attempted with the paint scheme. I used what I had on hand aiming for a partially repainted and repaired in the field finish. The partially repainted and repaired areas were stippled on first to get a feel for the areas around the kit. Multiple layers and shades of paint were used to create depth and surface texture. Shades of grey went on first to use as a guide for the blues and to start the texturing.
Areas where the painter got excited were the weapons and thrusters. The Heat Sword was converted to a boring steel blade to emulate a worn steel look while a glowing green/yellow finish was trialled on the Heat Rod with some edge high lighting.
A light texture was built up on the base to dry brush over, but the light texture wasn’t enough, and the process became less of a dry brushing and more of a light regular brushing.
Decal application was more successful with errors contributing to ‘free’ weathering. Various kits had their decals raided to complete the GOUF, ranging from Bandai 1/100 Master Grades to a WAVE 1/20 Ma.k S.A.F.S (Ma.k kits have awesome decal designs, check some out here).
With the part count being low the basics were successfully completed as there were few corners to cut. I’m not counting the dry brushing as a 100% loss, but another kit will be subjected to a second attempt. Another possible improvement to base is the thickness of the rod supporting the kit. A menacing glare will start the kit swaying so it’s a good thing it is not subjected to gusting winds while indoors. That leaves the wash and decals to carry the finish of the kit. The wash succeeds in tying the paint scheme together while the decal application sold the repainted and repaired in the field finish.