Apparently, dspiae tape has a lot more grip than Tamiya's, even after removing a bit beforehand 😢
Not sure how to touch this mark up without it being obvious, so back to the box till I'm done swearing about it and can try something else, I suppose.
At least the rest of the masking worked well.
Offhandedly mentioned to a family member how rare it was to see this kit "in the wild" (not online/overpriced), and got handed it today as an "early christmas gift" 😭
While at a local store, I mentioned to a family member that this was the first time I'd seen this kit in "the wild" (aka "not online" or marked up), and then they spoiled me with it today.
I told them that's too generous, and that it was going into the dreaded backlog anyway, but they just said "call it an early christmas gift", then. 😭
While at a local store, I mentioned to a family member that this was the first time I'd seen this kit in "the wild" (aka "not online" or marked up), and then they spoiled me with it today.
I told them that's too generous, and that it was going into the dreaded backlog anyway, but they just said "call it an early christmas gift", then. 😭
In my defense: I really, *really* do not want to have to strip anymore paint on this kit.
So many paint and body errors, but this thing has to get done. It was meant to be for the two group builds ago!
Definite touch up incoming, but the masking continues on the other side first.
Shocking no one, the bootleg of an already very old Bandai kit has some issues; almost all of which were there the first time around.
For $8 during a sale at a place I seeming can't even hint at anymore without breaking board rules, though? I can deal with it. Things to keep in mind:
- Seam lines everywhere
- The stickers suck
- The color separation is bad
- Building the arms is a nightmare; sand down the ball joints a bit, or you're going to make stress marks in the blue armor parts that slide over the arm segments
- The plastic is very glossy, and has a definite scent that is a bit concerning. (Wet sand, if you're going to at all).
Note that, with the exception of the cheaper plastic, these are all problems the Bandai version has as well.
Overall, though? Not bad, not bad at all.
P.S. It comes with the missile pods as well, but I didn't build those.
Finished some time ago, but I don't think I ever posted it here! The (stupidly) P-Bandai exclusive Load Astray Omega.
I'd been hearing for a long time that all of the 00 kits, from HGs to MGs, are bad, and while I can speak on the RGs and up, I absolutely *can* tell you that this kit is the most horribly designed Bandai kit I've ever built.
The plastic feels cheap, it doesn't cut well, and the stickers are just there to hide seams or, more likely, create the detail that Bandai couldn't be bothered to. Also, the shield sticker is just outright trash; too large for what it's going over, and has stupid little black ink lines, when a cutout would have helped it look *and* fit better.
The bad stuff is just going to be a list:
- Chest/Arm parts are designed to pivot on a ball joint, but with only a small ball connection and a pinch between two armor pieces, the entire assemblies can just be pulled off when you move the arms.
- Panel lines are everywhere, which is good for a kit this simple otherwise, BUT they are shallow; especially on the GN drive section on the back.
- Speaking of: The arms, legs, and front of the chest do have clear parts/black stickers to mimic the power source flow... except for the GN drive itself. That is just a single white piece that lazily slaps onto the back.
- As nice as it is to have the black stickers under the clear parts, there are way, way too many actual stickers overall. Assume that each section is going to be at least two, and plain accordingly. It will not be a fast build if you want to make it look good out of the box.
- Whoever designed the waist can rot. The way the legs are handled, in particular, is a nightmare. There is no center mount here: It looks more like a car axle, and it sort of "floats" between the front and rear armor. Quick version: All of it swivels, all the time.
- The smaller swords at the upper legs are barely held in place; lightly bump them, even after *clicking* the handles in, and they're probably popping out.
So is there anything good here? Yeah, actually!
- Proportions are good, mimicking the overall skeletal feel of the Exia well (imo)
- Despite clearly not designing around it properly, the kit can be posed fairly easily. The weight of things like the unfolded GN sword, when partnered against the shield on the other arm, helps a lot with balance. And, luckily, with a removal of one part, there is also a mount for an action base peg between the legs.
- Despite my complaints about how many there are, some of the stickers do look good when properly in place. Under the clear parts, especially, really help the overall build.
- For painters/modders: Not a single piece seems to overlap in a way that would require serious sanding to avoid rubbing, and, though not completely hollow, the torso could hold an LED with modifications. You *will* be filling seams for a while, though.
Overall: I know I blasted this thing at the start, but for around $10, I can forgive a lot of this. That is even easier when you treat it like a grunt suit of around the same price: Buy it not for how badly Bandai clearly screwed it up, but for what you can practice on it.
P.S. I'm guessing the complaints about the shoulder ribbons are for the RG? These were fine. Cheap rubber, but fine.
Forgive me on what could be a very specific question, but I'm curious how folks handle filters in their spray booth setups.
In my case, I have the exhaust and filter at the back of the booth, as you'd expect, but also an inline duct ("booster") fan in the duct line to help move air out of the house.
My issue is that the booster fan becomes bogged down after a while, and I wondered if anyone has had any luck using some type of filter over one? I have seen mesh or charcoal ones meant for grow tents, but not much else.
I'm aware I'll likely have to break the line down either way, whether for replacing the fan itself or cleaning/replacing the filter, but I don't mind if it saves me from having to buy whole new booster fans each time they become too clogged to save.
As much as I whine about doing it, I seem to be getting better, so I'll deal.
The trick to models is going from an amazing kit like the Aoshima snap build to immediately starting a Revell that has flash and mold lines everywhere 😏
Snark aside, a question: I plan to use MCW F8 Green enamel on this as a test for an upcoming gift; is Mr Color Leveling Thinner okay to use, and if so, what ratio/psi do folks use for their airbrush?
If y'all will forgive my ignorance here: I'd never built an Aoshima product before, and this one, the 1/24 Suzuki Jimny Snap Car kit, blew me away.
The kit comes with stickers *and* water slides, the cockpit assembly is fun to just fold into place, and I honestly had no issues beyond me rushing the window trim stickers. It even came with a paper craft diorama/stand, ffs!
After years, on and off, of building Revell and the like, this was refreshing to say the least.
Sorry for the obvious masking tape on the stand, btw; I was in such a rush to praise this kit, I wanted to be sure the glue had support while it dries.