To paint, or not to paint?: Zenevas Memorial Box

[Sineater]

So I lucked into a good price on the Zenevas Memorial Box, for the Merda and Zatton in particular. Well, it has finally arrived, and I am looking at the unspoiled, bagged spruess and smelling that new Zoid smell, and my palms are itching. I am torn. Should I build them stock, as a historical reference as it were? Or should I detail paint and wash them as part of the Shinseiki Zenevas initiative?

[bill]

Being a purist I've never felt compelled to paint any of the ones I've ever built. Hell it was a struggle just for me to a color parts swap. That was only done for chompz and armoured gator. It seemed more natural to have the gold and tan on one and green and orange on the other. But since I had several to play with I figured why not do it. Another thing was a few weapons here n there tried out on others. Again with so many scorpions why not doctor a few up. Hell I could likely build 3 more with my junkyard if needed. But I digress. So much of my collection is mib since room for built is already exceeded that it is mostly in as purist state as they can be.

[Snowflake]

Aside from customs, I usually only paint parts that are clearly meant to be painted. e.g. a cockpit piece molded entirely in a clear color, but with molded detail on top for what is obviously meant to be a mechanism that attaches to the hinge. Or saber tiger's nose, that kind of thing

[Charlie]

I do small paint touch up as well. Typically fangs, claws, and some panel lines.

[Maethius]

I started painting my kits back in 1985! Now I probably wouldn't unless I get a duplicate. Of course, I also have a tendency to take a Dremel to duplicates....

[Darth Escargot]

They're your Zoids, do with them what you want.

Having said that, what I would be thinking about is whether I'd consider the Zenevas Memorial Box a vintage collectible at this point. I haven't painted any of my pre-NJR era Zoids because I consider those "vintage" and the only reason I bought them in the first place is for collection purposes. Anything after that I've always considered fair game. But at this point, of course, the NJR era stuff is old and expensive too, and for the majority of active collectors today, that's actually the era that has the most nostalgia attached to them. So I guess it's all about your perception of this particular item.

Personally (flex incoming), I just never bought it in the first place because I already had the OER equivalents of all the models, so I wasn't terribly interested in reissues.

[Snowflake]

It would be nice if we could get those old molds reissued, or remade if the molds are toast, or something similar to them... but I suppose the drought on 'regular zoids' is good for my wallet

[Maethius]

One thing I would love to see is for someone with the hardware and skills to scan and copy rare Zoid kits and print them so that customs could be make without killing the originals. Of course I understand people could literally steal profits from TT that way, but I have an innocent mind!

[Charlie]

Mar 27, 2023 16:24:07 GMT -5 Maethius said:

One thing I would love to see is for someone with the hardware and skills to scan and copy rare Zoid kits and print them so that customs could be make without killing the originals. Of course I understand people could literally steal profits from TT that way, but I have an innocent mind!

Before the scans, there were people that made molds from original then cast them in resin. I do hope that we soon have the capability to "print" parts as several of them are lost or break over the years.

[Snowflake]

Hey if the molds are toast, the only profits you're stealing are from ebay sellers.
the issue, as I understand it, is materials and finish. They can do nice smooth 3d prints now, but it's not in the kind of material that would stand up to motorization
and anyway, it's not like we can handproduce the motors. so best case scenario it's modified to accept ball joints

[bill]

I personally would love to do remakes of the transfighter series. I have all 3 built plus the dog and shark from the BDaman VA series thus only lacking winglet. I have some of the software and plenty of 3d printers and knowledge there of. What is however lacking is a quality 3d scanner and it's software to complete decades old goals, plans, dreams and visions. The other items to be highly sought after remakes are 1st and foremost Scitex Drillgan units 2ndly gojulas tails 3rdly Gungyrados wings and horns and few other attachments in assorted colors. I know the drillgan units would sell like hotcakes! I'm also betting the transfighters would too. Here we are 40th anniversary year! Are you out there listening....er....a...reading? Save me some time, grief and struggles and just roll em out for us fans!

[Maethius]

Mar 27, 2023 19:24:04 GMT -5 Snowflake said:

Hey if the molds are toast, the only profits you're stealing are from ebay sellers.
the issue, as I understand it, is materials and finish. They can do nice smooth 3d prints now, but it's not in the kind of material that would stand up to motorization
and anyway, it's not like we can handproduce the motors. so best case scenario it's modified to accept ball joints

They now have gotten prints to the point they can endure motorization! Some of the printers now have very strong resin and a detail of 8k.

[Snowflake]

Mar 28, 2023 14:40:39 GMT -5 Maethius said:

Mar 27, 2023 19:24:04 GMT -5 Snowflake said:

Hey if the molds are toast, the only profits you're stealing are from ebay sellers.
the issue, as I understand it, is materials and finish. They can do nice smooth 3d prints now, but it's not in the kind of material that would stand up to motorization
and anyway, it's not like we can handproduce the motors. so best case scenario it's modified to accept ball joints

They now have gotten prints to the point they can endure motorization! Some of the printers now have very strong resin and a detail of 8k.

Woohoo!! I can't wait. the future of model kits is gonna be wild.