Help with Alaska Base Custom 1:60 Ver.2

[derex3592]

OK..so I've decided to try to keep this VERY simple and just airbrush green over the light tan on a brand new Kaki TV version I got a few days ago. My question is to all you smart guys around here.

is there a way to disassemble the Valk to make the painting easier??? (or has anybody tried this around here?, I know people have taken apart the arms enough to get to the bad pins)...Or is it just better to try to mask it all and hope for the best????

Thanks for the help!

[Valkyrie addict]

Even disassemble is a masking pain in the ass.

There are a lot of pins that you must be careful not to loose if you completely disassemble, some parts are glued, mostly on the legs but can be pried apart carefully.

I would rather mask with the assembled toy. But you can take apart the main fuselage for easier access and masking.

[EXO]

You can take apart most of the valk without unscrewing. The leg pops off from the hip. The fuselage comes away from the cockpit area and the shoulder can be slipped off the arm, you just have to gently pry the notches. Of course the head comes off. You'll only need to unscrew the elbow to take the lower arm off. From there you should be able to mask everything else for such an easy scheme.

[derex3592]

Awesome !! EXO ! Thanks. Might be PMing you for guidance over the weekend.

[EXO]

Anytime... here's a pic of a Max I quickly pulled apart (carefully, lol). Hardest part to mask will prolly be the knee and head lasers. But doesn't seem that complicated.

[derex3592]

Well this took like 3 minutes..lol...

Can't quite figure out the elbow getting the arm off part yet......

[Valkyrie addict]

You must open bay where the hands tuck inside and try to pry the forearm apart, it is a very tight fit, I don't know if it's glued or not, only way to get access to the elbow, if you manage to pry the forearm apart give the elbow a little sanding to prevent it from rubbing the extra paint layer you will add.

If you can't pry it apart, there's plenty of space to let the masking tape between the elbow and forearm.

[Chronocidal]

Oh, the leg fins pull out as well, they're only held in by a thin ridge. That'll make the leg a bit easier to mask.

I think one time I did take apart one of my VF-1's legs, but they are glued at certain points, so you have to find a careful way to pry them apart.

[derex3592]

Meh....I gave up on the arms. Thanks for the tip on the leg fins Chonic. I'm thinking this far is fine as I haven't broken anything yet! Let the masking begin! I'll put up some pics later today

[derex3592]

Well as usual I've decided to do more than I planned...filling screw holes in the legs with putty...and I'm sorry, but rant mode on...I HATE tamiya putty. It is horrible in my opinion. Cheap spackling is so much nicer to work with. That is all.

[derex3592]

Great day for turning things GRREEEEEN!!!

[derex3592]

Well here's the results..... Still bit of cleanup to do on the legs and gotta spray the knees and the top of the legs but other than....Im calling it a win so far!!!! In case you're wondering, it's Model Master Medium Green enamel.

[coronadlux]

Looks good. Oh, and I usually use car putty. They sell it for plastic parts. Easier to work with if you ask me.

[derex3592]

and.....DONE! I think it turned out good! And no ..I didn't go back and try to repaint the rear fins like Valk Addict did! I figured get out while I was ahead! All panel lines done and each and every single sticker trimmed, and gun strap/ anniversary parts added.

[DarrinG]

NICE WORK

[505thAirborne]

I like it!! Perfect shade of green and the rifle sling is a nice touch, I need to get a few of those for my Valks!

[jvmacross]

Congrats on a fine job!

BTW...what kind of tape do you need to use in order to keep the paint from seeping into the areas you want to keep it out of?...Is it some special hobby tape or something you can pickup at a HomeDepot or hardware store???

Edited May 13, 2013 by jvmacross

[derex3592]

Tamiya tape man! It's hard to find locally, but order it online, Different widths. It's perfect for masking models and toys. :-)

[EXO]

You know I found out about Tamiya tape here on MW? lol. But the last place I worked at they stocked tamiya tape by the cases. It was awesome!

[Jefuemon]

Tamiya masking tape. Buy it. Use it. Love it. Couldn't have done the uber-masking on my VF-1J Kai without it. (shameless bump/plug).

[Valkyrie addict]

3M masking tape is very good also.

Great job!

[MechTech]

That looks great and the color is good too! We now know who OWNS the kitchen as well - MT

[Boroboy]

That's great looking - nice work!

[Benson13]

They have Tamiya tape by the boat load at Hobby Town USA.

[petervenkman]

Thats some great paint job! Im in the process of a custom paintjob too but finding it difficult to do the black verniers on arms and legs, do you have any tips?

[derex3592]

Don't mask them. I sprayed over them and simply colored them black again with a Sigma Micron .005 pen. Works great!

[Kurisama]

Beautiful!

[Checkmate]

Derex,

That Valkyrie looks awesome!!! This has inspired me to paint my next 1/ 48 with this scheme. :)

[derex3592]

Thanks!