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Chinese knock off Gundam test mule
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 12:55 am
by BorgR3mc0
I have started on a Chinese knock off Gundam kit. I like Gundam as a series but I don’t really know how to model them so I bought this one as a test case. And to gain some skills in how to build these before I commit to building the more expensive Bandai kit that I have in my stash.
First thing is that I do want to paint. To each his own but I like painted and weathered models so bare plastic isn’t for me.
I used two ways to do this to see what works better. 1) painting on the sprue and 2) snipping each part of and paint it lose/on a cocktail stick or clamp.
Since the attachment points are very small painting on the sprue seems to be easier and gets comparable results.
If you guys build Gundam, what is you preferred method?
Re: Chinese knock off Gundam test mule
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 1:12 am
by speedgraflex
Good morning, Remco! You're asking a question I have some ideas and experience with as I have built Gundam kits. I am very glad you are exploring this type of model building. It's definitely a hybrid form, part toy, part detailed model, which benefits from methodical prepration There's a big group of Gundam builders here; lotta fun.
First, there's no one way to do this, which you have already figured out. I prefer breaking down into sub-assemblies because the fit tends to be tighter than a traditional Western plastic kit and once you snap parts in place they may be locked as though they are glued. I still end up with this issue where I think I can just put A and B together to test fit and then they are AB and there's no way to separate them besides major surgery. Polycaps can be troublesome sometimes. It can be a challenge to close polycap-filled halves together if you are not careful. A tip is to always fully insert the polycap before doing anything else: use a tweezer, rod or some other tool to aid you with this.
I paint, then glue. I'll use thinner color coats, more like glazes if that makes sense, then heavy sprays and that's an approach that I've carried over with me to building historical models.
Traditional build would be the opposite. Panel lines first on sprues then assembly. As you go about building your kit, apply panel lines to parts you deem necessary. It is easier to add and manipulate panel lines when parts are still in their runners. With a panel line marker, gently go over the lines. Leave the freshly-drawn panel line on for about 30 seconds, then rub away until the the surface area is clear.
Re: Chinese knock off Gundam test mule
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 8:24 am
by BorgR3mc0
Thanks for the detailed advice, now that I halfway building it some of these make more sense then they would have in forehand. This is indeed a new learning curve.
Since the attachment points are so small I think that painting on the sprue seems viable for next builds. The parts that is cut off first then painted aren’t much better then the ones painted on the sprue.
I have done the assembly, I still have to do decals and weathering. Maybe I am treating this a little bit to much as I would an aircraft build but that is just the sequence that I am used to.
Re: Chinese knock off Gundam test mule
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 10:48 am
by speedgraflex
Bravo! That’s come together! Yes, building Gundam style is more factory-driven and very precise! The result is there! You’ve done something and made real progress. Asian design and methods dominate our hobby but the fact is the origin of the Gundam is more or less the plastic motorized toy kit that most Asian companies started out building!
Off topic but of interest to me is your answer— have you ever built Fine Molds 1/72 aircraft? Wonderful subjects, most if not all are WWII era and very beautifully designed. These may not be the last word in accuracy but FM did most if not all variants of many Japanese aircraft, even German!
Re: Chinese knock off Gundam test mule
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 12:11 pm
by Stikpusher
Bandai makes a tool for their kits that can be used for disassembling them if need be. It’s hard to describe in shape aside from having a general resemblance to some spark plug gap tools, but being made from a hard colored plastic instead of metal. It can be inserted into seams to pry apart the assembly without damaging the plastic that a metal tool might cause.
Re: Chinese knock off Gundam test mule
Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2026 9:02 am
by BorgR3mc0
Thanks for the information and encouragement. It is indeed a different build experience. Straight from the box you can make quite a nice model, maybe add some lines with a marker etc. That is exactly what it is designed for. I think I would have loved these in my teens (I didn’t paint anything then). But to make ik into “a model” takes more work because of this design philosophy.
As for Fine Molds, I do not have one of their kits. But I would like that Porco Rosso model. So maybe in the future.
Re: Chinese knock off Gundam test mule
Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2026 4:01 pm
by speedgraflex
I love FM kits! Your analysis is spot on, these Gundam style kits are designed for markers and stick ons, to get younger modelers building quickly and easily, but can be built up to a higher standard using traditional techniques.
Re: Chinese knock off Gundam test mule
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 11:45 am
by Stuart
Looking good Remco!