[WIP] Mechanical Chain Base LED custom WIP 5

Just a small update regarding this project. 

Aside from painting the base with gun metal. I've tried my hand on masking/ painting.

I've decided to add warning strips at the floor of the chain base. The flooring already had those details so I just followed them during the masking.

First thing I did was mask the flooring, exposing only the areas where I want to paint the black stripes.

Next thing was to mask the part again. This time covering the areas where I want to keep the black paint.

This can actually be done any other way. If desired, The yellow parts could be painted first so it's just a matter of preference.

Once the paint dries, we can now peel off the tape.

I really looks good when seen from afar but upon closer inspection, we can see the imperfections. Apparently my masking was a bit off that's why some areas over the details were painted.

This was a really tedious task but the results are very satisfying. Next time I'll have to be more careful when masking to have cleaner details.

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[WIP] MG Strike Freedom Gundam WIP 1

Since I've ran out of ideas on how to proceed with my current projects, mainly working out how to wire the remaining parts. I've decided to start another project until I can come up with ideas for the remaining pieces. 

Another reason is since I'm running low on my LED stocks, my projects will have to be put on hold until my orders arrives. And with that, I'll have to do more that just LED mods for this project. Since this is a gift from my girlfriend, this'll have to be my best work yet.

For this project, instead of just wiring this with LEDs, I'll be fully painting this using Zurc paints.

I'll be doing mostly metallic finish for this project. Here's a test using some of the runners. The white has that metallic/pearl effect to it. I''m really liking this paint.

But I'd still be lighting this up.

I'm basing my LED mods on how the suit was lit up in the anime.

This is a screenshot from the anime. Aside from the eyes and thrusters, it appears to be lit in various areas like the chest, knee areas and a few areas in the backpack. I've already worked on the knee and chest areas. I'll still have to plan the shoulders and the backpack areas.

For the colors, I'll be keeping the original colors albeit making them metallic. I'd also like to add some color tone differences.

For the tone differences, I just masked and painted the desired areas with grey base color, then painting them all with white.

It's a bit hard to get the metallic/pearl effect in the cameras but really looks good in actual. Also the exposed frames are painted using Tamiya Acrylic Gold Leaf.

With the busy schedule I have right now, I'm lucky that I can still find the time to work on this bit by bit. I'm expecting this project to be a bit slower than my regular projects so I can plan what I want to do and execute them without problems. I want this to be my best work yet.

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[OTHERS] Gunpla Builders Den "All Out HG War 2016" 10.10.16

Last December 10, 2016, the Cavite-based Gunpla group "Gunpla Builders Den" held an event at the Citymall Anabu in Imus, Cavite. 

The "All Out HG War 2016" was a Gunpla building contest for Den members. The contest had 2 categories, New and Open. The New category follows the rules for the GMKC; no modifications/ additions/ alterations to the base kit, custom paint only, while the "Open" category follows the GBWC rules; all out modification, except that contestants were required to use HG kits as their base model.

Aside from promoting the hobby by showcasing some of the members best builds, this event also fosters friendship outside the digital environment of the Facebook group.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take pics of the individual entries.

That's my entry right there, HG Try Burning Gundam Full LED mod. More on that later.

Aside from the contest, there were a lot more happening in the event.

There was an area where people can play Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme VS Full Boost for FREE! I didn't get to try because I didn't know how to play so I wasn't very much interested, plus there was a really long queue.

There were also raffle draws the they gave away various kits, mostly HG kits. No one's complaining since it's FREE!

There were also areas where other members are free to display their kits. 

This HG OO Raiser ANA Version really caught my attention.

 

Also my MG Banshee Titanium finish made an appearance in the event and it never fails to get peoples' attention. 

There was also an area where members can showcase their transformers collections.

This event was also the launch of ZURC Model paints.

Zurc Model Paints is owned by Jose Ryan Cruz, the GMKC PH 2016 Champion. He also owns an automotive paint shop so it's sure that he knows what he's doing when it comes to paints.

There's also displays of kits painted using Zurc Model Paints.

Yes, That is a custom painted HG Neo Zeong.

Look at that shine!

Can you see me?

I've actually got to try Zurc on my RG Amazing Red Warrior project and I can say that this is good quality paint. Though I think they cater more on the airbrush users, I'm not sure how they hold up when hand painted. Also they're still on the process of adding new colors to their inventory so look out for this brand. I've got a few more colors that I haven't tried so expect a more comprehensive review.

That's my entry, HG Try Burning Gundam LED Mod.

With all the amazing entries I was quite sure that I wouldn't get anything. :P But I like to look at it as a reminder of the things I need to improve on. 

One thing I learned from this experience in regards to my builds: well lighted environments really decrease the LED mods effects. I was used to the lighting in my room where it appears that my lighting isn't very good, considering that I've just bought a new lamp shade. 

Maybe it depends on the kits' clear parts since the MG Banshee still looked good when lit and the effect was still very noticeable. The other kits I previously displayed, my RG Wing, RG Sinanju still had good LED effects even under the same lighting in the mall. Considering that this was a rushed build since I only had a week to work on this kit to make it to the deadline, I still think it turned out well.

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