Hi

[Syphar]

Hi c:

Old Zoids fan (CC/GF) that used to buy model kits, and just recently decided to start buying them again. I've got a couple of bulk lots on the way which means I've got some doubles incoming, so I figure now is as good a time as any to get into customising them. I've done a single repaint before, but it was years ago. It was a simple "spray paint each piece one colour" job that turned out pretty well, but I'd love to try some more involved customisations if possible.

So I'll probably be asking about paints, ideas on what to do with my duplicate models and looking into getting some missing parts etc later on.

For now though I thought I'd just say hi. Hi!

[wolves]

Hello and welcome to the board! Going to be fun!

[Maethius]

Hiya, Syphar!

I think I enjoy customizing more than building a brand new kit that I've never seen before... and with the re-launch of the franchise with Zoids Official, we may now get that chance again! I'll answer what questions I can, but in the end building a custom is just letting your creativity (and some glue) flow over your collection.

[Syphar]

Thanks wolves, fun is exactly what I am looking for!

Hi Maethius, your Zoid customs are amazing! I hope I can come up with something halfway decent, I am glad there are people like you here to ask questions. Once my bulk lot arrives I'll put together a list of duplicate models and single models I'm ok with disassembling, and see if I can't come up with some neat ideas on what to make with them. I'll probably start with a simple Molga repaint (partially shiny if I can find any suitable paint or shinification methods... a work colleague told me how to make wooden pens shiny using super glue, windex & toilet paper so I might try that on a piece of the tree to see if it also works for plastic), but definitely want to try making full custom Zoids after that.

I can't wait until my new kits arrive.

[Saix]

Welcome to the board, looking forward to your development from repaints to customs!

[Maethius]

It always starts simply, Syphar... then the addiction spreads.

My first customs were to recolor NJR kits because I just didn't like the schemes Tomy chose... that sort of... well, it evolved. I'll be glad to offer any advice that I can.

[Argyle]

Welcome Syphar!

I envy your drive to customize Zoids. It's something I've wanted to do, but I don't have enough patience for. The most I've ever done is customize a Gundam or a Danball Senki kit, because those are cheap (I would never do such a thing to an expensive kit :/). Anyway, good luck to your endeavors!

[Syphar]

Thank you everyone! This place is so friendly and awesome <3

Once I get my new Zoids I'll go through and clean them up, the built ones look like they have extra bits of... sprue? The little nubs from when they were connected to the trees. They also looked dusty so I guess I'll wipe them with a wet cloth/chux. I used to use tiny scissors for cutting them off the trees, but I'm thinking I should visit a hobby store and buy a more appropriate tool. I hear side cutters and sandpaper are a good choice. Can you sandpaper ones you aren't repainting though?

Maethius - Thanks! One of the Zoids on its way to me is a Tomy Diloforce, whose colour scheme just looks... bleh to me, so he's getting a paint job. Not sure what colours yet, but I can't possibly do worse than American cheese orange/yellow. That colour just does not go with red & gunmetal grey.

I hear you Argyle, if I didn't have duplicate models coming in I wouldn't have the guts to do it to a Zoid model. As an Australian they are very expensive as I can't import from the US unless it's bulk due to the shipping costs. I can buy from Australia and Asia though.

I miss the days they carried Zoids in toy stores. I wish I had been older then so I could've afforded to buy all the ones I wanted rather than have to shell out more now they are hard to find. That said a lot weren't sold in my area. Australia misses out on a lot of neat stuff, I couldn't even grab the Zoid CC/GF DVDs. I have 2 I bought in store when I was over in the US; I could never find any here. I also had to import Zoid Battle Legends with a Freeloader because they just never released the game in PAL format. Tough game at points but I've finished both sides twice. It's a fun game.

[wolves]

I wouldn't use sandpaper or files if you're not painting because they'll be hard to touch-up Side cutters would be your best bet. I'm forgetting the website right now but there's a great site that links to multiple hobby stores in Japan and you'll get good prices there with lower shipping costs. If someone knows what I'm talking about please post the link haha ah my memory.

[Argyle]

I second using the side cutters. The old hobbyist in me still makes the foolish mistake of using sandpaper (which shouldn't matter if you flat coat the model or just paint over it), but in bright light you can see the painfully obvious scuff marks.

I understand the shipping cost problems. I wanted to buy an HMM Zoid from HobbyLink Japan, but just the shipping is 3000+ yen (more than half the model's own value). While I do recommend Ebay occasionally, you'll find better deals from members on Zoids forums.

P.S. wolves, is this the site that you're looking for? www.megamalljapan.com/hobby_collectibles.html

[Maethius]

For tools I frequent (above my local hobby shop) Micro-Mark.com ... they pretty much have enough cool and totally useful stuff to suck a few thousand dollars from your wallet in short order. Side cutters = fantastic... I can't believe I've use blades for so long with such a useful too out there. They even have sprue-cutting TWEEZERS on that site!

[wolves]

Argyle nope but that looks even better! I will try and find the link I'm thinking of.

[Syphar]

Thanks for the help guys, I found a hobby shop near me and bought this for $25AU: www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/italeri-professional-plastic-modelling-tool-50815-p-31694.html

I could have gotten a cheaper kit from ebay but would have to import it from the UK and was worried about custom issues since the kits all contained a hobby knife. Anyway this kit came with a small cutting board so that's cool.

The hobby shop sells little spray paint cans from $11-15 each. The guy suggested buying acrylics. I am wondering if I can't buy full size spray cans if they are cheaper, Bunnings sells them but their prices vary wildly and I've no idea the difference between a lot of them: www.bunnings.com.au/products_category_other-paints_1603.aspx?filter=categoryname--Spray+Paint

I asked about getting models chromed and they didn't really have any solutions but I wasn't too surprised by that. My brother's friend runs an auto shop though so I might ask him if there's any way to get small plastic pieces ultra shiny, as it'd be wicked to be able to chrome a couple of models.

So glad I found an active forum with other Zoid modellers, your advice is much appreciated <3

[wolves]

The chroming on kits is actually vacuum metallizing! Not real chrome. But you can try this stuff and see what you get(chroming powder).

www.figure.fm/en/post/21716/Quick+way+to+chrome+plastic+parts.html