This kit was an experiment with applying chrome paint more effectively and using paints that I don’t usually go anywhere near.
I really wanted this build to hit you in the face with a synthwave/bladerunner/neon vibe because it’s eventual home is in a diorama where it’s standing in a futuristic city park….but I’m a long way from being able to build a diorama like that, so I made the gunpla in the meantime.
The frame of this kit was a lot of fun to build but a pain in the butt to prep. To compensate for the added friction from painting, I bored out the piston housings with a drill bit so there wouldn’t be any paint transfer when the kit moved. I had to sand the entire frame with 3000 grit sandpaper before applying a base coat Gaia’s Ultimate Black paint to ensure a smooth surface and after that, I lightly sprayed the Mr. Color chrome over the parts. This build was my first time using Gaia Notes metal master thinner and it really made an impression on me here. The thinner is formulated to break down the metal flakes in metallic paint better, resulting in a smoother finish and it’s not snake oil. One 500mL bottle should last most builders quite some time, so I highly recommend getting some if you do metallic colors often. I tried to get a cool effect with the power hoses on the kit by applying Gaia’s UV clear paint over the topcoat of those parts but in the end the glow wasn’t very intense. Live and learn!
The armor had to be prepped the same way the armor was- sanded down smooth with 3000 grit sandpaper and given a black gloss base coat. The pigments Turbodork uses in their parts are by their own admission large/thick so my HP-CS and it’s .3mm nozzle struggled a bit with spraying fine even coats are first. After mixing the paint with a variety of thinners and air flow improvers though, I was able to get a very subtle effect to the surface of the armor that has an almost mirror like reflectiveness to it after gloss coating it. I’m very happy with how the armor turned out and how subtle the colorshifting effect is on it. I fully plan on trying something a little louder than this in the future.
The mace was fun to do too- fluoroscent green was applied carefully on the edge of the blades with a gradient effect. I did it freehand and I’m definitely patting myself on the back for how the effect turned out. The colorshift done on the head of the mace isn’t as subtle as the colorshift on the armor and I’m pretty fond of the difference between the two.
This was a really interesting and challenging build to do. The MG Barbatos is a fantastic kit and one of the best bandai has produced to date, no one can deny this. It’s definitely worht a purchase for the experience alone and I’m definitely going to be building another since I got the expansion set in from P-bandai. Keep your eyes peeled for this build to get it’s diorama someday and for my second MG barbatos later in 2021!
