July 16, 2006: I started this kit sometime this
past week. An additional note is that this kit is an original kit from
kurushima. I've just been running a little slow because the inspiration
to build is only just returning. I've been switching between working on
her and the Akuyaku - for which I have
also updated. So far, I've pinned, bathed, and cleaned up 80% of the parts.
Initial pinning session, very little work done on mold lines,
gaps, etc.
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 003_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 004_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 005_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 006_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 007_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 008_jpg.jpg)
As always, Mr G-3 Gundam size comparison pictures; he looks
a little too comfortable.
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 020_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 022_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 023_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 024_jpg.jpg)
There are a couple of places that needed some rather big
gap filling solutions. The arms were glued and to make sure there were
no gaps or holes, I used epoxy putty and layed over the connecting arm
areas and the right leg attachment to the body. Take the two parts of
tamyia epoxy putty, mix as you would with two colors of clay, and then
apply to gaps.
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 009_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 010_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 011_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 012_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 016_jpg.jpg)
Some of the smaller areas do not require such extreme measures
as epoxy putty for filling, so I used Mr Surfacer 500 right from the bottle.
Placed in small dents or pinholes discovered in the sanding process, allow
to dry/cure over night, and then sand smooth. The epoxy putty was allowed
24 hours to dry/cure/setup. Then I went in a sanded everything smooth.
These parts are now ready for some primer.
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 017_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 014_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 015_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 018_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 019_jpg.jpg)
July 18, 2006: A little update from the work done over the
past few days. I've decided to take more pictures of what I may think
of as insignificant processes, because after doing the model building
presentation, and fielding questions about so many different processes;
I see the need for as much description of the processes as possible.
Priming serves several purposes. Mistake finder, uniform
color surface to apply paint, allows paint to stick better to the parts
surface, and fills the small little scratches from the sanding process.
After priming, the surface is a little rough, and a little bit of wet
sanding with a high grit sand paper smooths out everything.
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 025_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 026_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 028_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 029_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 030_jpg.jpg)
Finished wet sanding and did a quick assembly for pictures.
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 031_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 032_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 033_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 034_jpg.jpg)
The ever fun painting process
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 036_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 035_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 051_jpg.jpg)
First layer of skin tone:
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 037_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 038_jpg.jpg)
Shading areas using a darker shade of skin tone:
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 039_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 040_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 041_jpg.jpg)
Final layer of light skin tone to highlight and blend everything
together.
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 042_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 043_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 044_jpg.jpg)
Gloss clear coat to seal in the previous layers of paint.
Then on the personalizing another figure with yet another "Gamera"
tattoo... After the decal set, a light misting of the top layer of skin
tone to blend in the tattoo.
And taken from a picture a fellow modeler posted of a completed
version of this kit... tan lines....
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 050_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 055_jpg.jpg)
July 22, 2006: More masking fun. Took pictures of the masking process.
Mask, cut, mask, repeat..
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 080_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 081_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 056_jpg.jpg)
Paint, mask, paint, repeat...
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 058_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 059_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 060_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 062_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 057_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 061_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 074_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 076_jpg.jpg)
Eye painting. Mask, paint white, spray on clear, unmask,
paint the black areas, paint the iris color, paint the white dot reflection
thing.... gloss clear coat with future.
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 079_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 066_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 068_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 069_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 070_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 073_jpg.jpg)
The earring.
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 067_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 065_jpg.jpg)
As usual, mistakes will happen.... so sand down the mistake,
remask, and then repaint...
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 063_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 064_jpg.jpg)
Last step of the week. Future coat everything. Since future
is an acrylic based product.... I now need to leave the model alone and
not touch it for hmm.. 1 week. Next update will include the final steps
to finishing the kit. Assembly, enamel wash, flat coat, pastel, sealing
flat coat, and the base.
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 071_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 072_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 078_jpg.jpg)
![](thumbnails/sonsaku_prog 077_jpg.jpg)