RX-93 v Gundam (Bandai RG 32)

I soaked & lightly toothbrushed the parts, this time, in a dish detergent bath with the understanding that it will help paint to take hold by washing away the molds' release agent residuals. 

Was enjoying some time spent adding some detail besides grease, oil & grime... 

And was then reminded how much of this lovely frame detail gets covered up! LOL 

Fitting the first armor pieces gave me an idea of perhaps "pre-panel lining" by applying the 'pour' version of black Gundam Marker around the permiter of each of the leg armor parts. We shall see how well this pans out. 

Fairly please with the small touches, even though most will be covered in the end (like the radial gold and silver in the shin and the silver connected wiring in the calf). Pulled the anterior thigh armor plate back off to insert some metallic silver after noticing some of this detail peeks through when the leg is posed in a full knee-bend position. 

Also adding some black around the edges of the bright yellow vents. Mainly to see if it helps with separation, but partly it will look better if I decide to pull the armor off (or leave off... or inflict battle damage) to show some of the detail... Of course, that may also mean giving said details more attention. Anyway, moving on! 

I've learned that various sizes of sprue nubs can be useful for holding some open parts, like these thruster nozzles. Here I've done some paint layering in attempt to replicate heated metal: 1) black primer, 2) metalic silver - lightly wiped off with swab, 3) metallic red - swabbed until only a sheen remains & 4) thin stripe of metallic blue toward the nozzle end - again, swabbed until nearly gone. 

Painted thruster attached. Now, I guess it's time to begin _covering_ all this fun (about 90% of it anyway) with the armor panels! ? 

Et voila! Detailing? What detailing? 😉 

That said, some of it does peek through depending on the pose, and this kit's leg pose-ability seems crazy good! 

The torso/chest gets attention next. 

Got to make sure those rotator cuffs are well greased. ? 

Still a glint of silver on the vents through the grime. Yay ? 

I was committed to painting the 'mask' rather than use the included decal options. But, boy, trying to get coverage? It took _several_ coats, close-up photos for checks and retouches (and cleanup of the eyepieces).
The silver I added to the sides and partially covered by black, just in case (down the road) I decide to try to light this head. LOL 

"1st griming" 

Entering the hell of miniscule water-slide decal application ? 

Decided to go for heavier weathering. 

Right (heavyvs Left 

I had really wanted the PLA+ STUDIO funnel effects but couldn't find any place that had them in stock where the shipping was reasonable. So, when USAGundamStore got these Effects Wings set I figured I'd try that (especially since it came with the posing structure pieces. The set also comes with a set of 6 more fin funnels that do look very much like the Bandai, but are not exact. Once I was certain that the Bandai funnels would work with the adapters that came with the Effects Wings set I decided just to use my assembled Bandai funnels. 

And while I want to show a couple funnels "in flight" I also wanted to show how they appear when docked so I ended up only mounting 2 to the Effects Wings set up. 

I've contemplated continuing some detailing (line panel tones for more separation), but I am reasonably satisfied with the RX-93 as is. So, with several kits waiting in the wings (including my new PG Unleashed RX-78-2) I think I'm going to call this one done.