Introduction
Definetly, I love this model kit. So I take my time to obtain the best result I can. For this post, I will speak about the custom base coat paint and the panel lines work. I don’t like the base plactic aspect of the model kit. So I prefer a custom paint gunpla.
A good way to improve the general aspect of the gunpla, for me, it’s to use the black and white technic before to paint the main color.
Technic : the black and white in action
Like on my previous work on the MG Exia, I painted a black primer coat first (ref : vallejo mecha primer black 70.642) . Then I highlighted the parts with white paint (ref Mr. Color : C1). To finish, I applied the base coat with the desired color.
I used this method for all the pieces, It’s long but I like the final apparence of the gundam.
![MG Exia's - gunpla MG Exia](https://flashfan981.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221119_MG_Exia_Flashfan981_Arms_and_shoulder_00002.jpeg)
Did I say I love this Cobald Blue (ref Mr. Color : C80) ? 😍😍😍
![Shield - Custom paint gunpla MG Exia](https://flashfan981.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221119_MG_Exi221119_MG_Exia_Flashfan981_black-and-white-panel-lines_00005-1024x1024.jpeg)
![Shoulder - Custom paint gunpla MG Exia](https://flashfan981.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221119_MG_Exi221119_MG_Exia_Flashfan981_black-and-white-panel-lines_00004-1024x1024.jpeg)
Final painted result
After several hours of painting, this is the finish work. I’m really happy of the final result. I think the paint imprive the volumes … isn’t it ?
![Custom paint gunpla MG Exia](https://flashfan981.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221119_MG_Exia_Flashfan981_Arms_and_shoulder_00006-768x1024.jpeg)
![Custom paint gunpla MG Exia](https://flashfan981.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221119_MG_Exia_Flashfan981_Arms_and_shoulder_00005-1-768x1024.jpeg)
Panel lines
After that, I put a gloss varnish coat (ref : Mr Color. C46) which is very important to protect the previous work. It was ready to receive the enamel juice to improve the panel lines. Like usual, I used the panel line accent color product from Tamiya which is a perfect product for me. When I have more time, I made it myself with a classic black enamel paint thinned with white spirit. To clean it, I used zippo lighter fluid 😉 with cotton sticks or a little brush.
![Panel line accent color tamiya with zippo lighter fluid and brush. Custom paint gunpla](https://flashfan981.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221119_MG_Exia_Flashfan981_panel-line-accent-color-tamiya_00008-1024x1024.jpeg)
I don’t finish all the mecha for the moment but this is some photos without and with the product applied on some parts.
![Panel line accent color on gunpla back](https://flashfan981.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221119_MG_Exi221119_MG_Exia_Flashfan981_panel_-line-accent-color-tamiya_00009-768x1024.jpeg)
![Panel line accent color on gunpla back](https://flashfan981.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221119_MG_Exi221119_MG_Exia_Flashfan981_panel_-line-accent-color-tamiya_00010-768x1024.jpeg)
![GN Drive - Custom paint gunpla MG Exia](https://flashfan981.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221119_MG_Exi221119_MG_Exia_Flashfan981_black-and-white-panel-lines_00003-1024x1024.jpeg)
![GN Drive - Custom paint gunpla MG Exia](https://flashfan981.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221119_MG_Exi221119_MG_Exia_Flashfan981_black-and-white-panel-lines_00002-1024x1024.jpeg)
![GN Drive - Custom paint gunpla MG Exia](https://flashfan981.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221119_MG_Exi221119_MG_Exia_Flashfan981_black-and-white-panel-lines_00001-1024x1024.jpeg)
I hope this post will be useful to improve your gundam and to work on a custom paint gunpla. Don’t hesitate to write a comment and to share of you like 👍.
See you soon for the waterslides 😉.