I just finished this last night. Overall the build was super nice 9/10. My only complaint is that it has a decent amount of stickers. The foils were pretty okay, any sticker fit into a recess so no struggling there, but the red decal stickers and yellow marking stickers sucked. Over curbs, wrapping around, in weird spots. They were a 100% no go for me. Luckily I have testors enamel. First time free handing but I felt like it went ight. Some of my lines definitely need work though lol. Overall I used 3 stickers in total. The cheek pieces and lower stomach one. I did those before remembering how much I hate stickers lol.
As a warning I will say this kit had some REALLY tiny pieces, the head especially. Kinda felt more like building a RG Eva than a Hg Gundam. On the good side it’s articulation is nice, it’s possible and stable, and all the molds are super detailed. It even gives you parts for a whole second head so you can have the deployed or retracted look that’s easily swappable. I’d 100% build this again
You don’t have to top coat over them if you don’t want. Especially if you use mark setter. You just have to be careful when posing.
Really? I’ve always heard it phrased as “You HAVE to”. I’m going to try not top coating on my next HG as a test
If you use setter and softener properly, your decals will hold up without topcoat. They won’t hold up to play or ham hand but otherwise it’s good. I will say that what you’ve heard is correct in regards to OEM Bandai decals. Those things will rip if you breath on them wrong. I’ve had no problems with Delpi or G-Rework.
See, I’ve thought that! My Mg sazabi with the Bandai decals was rough. I feel like they’re peeling even with top coat. Whereas my Delpi ones look great, even after some time
If you think that Delpi is that much better than Bandai, just wait till you try G-rework.