How to Sand and Organize Gunpla Parts BEFORE Painting (for easy final assembly)

[@frostedsnow]

Just curious: Do you enjoy these broken down and longer videos that document my build process in more detail, or do you prefer shorter and more compact full build videos?

[@coofzilla]

as a beginner this format was amazing :) although the thought of cutting everything seems terrifying 🤣

[@astaroth_sasazaki_yt]

please do your videos as detailed as you can.

[@AGxProductions]

Like U, I tend 2 take my audience along with me 'on the journey' of putting my Kits together, as U can see in my Vids...I worry about talkng too much or givng too much detail. Being on the ASD Spectrum & ADHD, I can easily get lost n doing tht...(it's SOOO much fun tho!) I like your details & vry well-informed Demos; only my attention span is too short 2 watch a full Vid n one sitting if it's more than 15mins long. But I put forth the extra effort 4 yours b/c U do so well n your explanations, planning, methodologies & exuberance. Therefore, 2 answer your question.... Eh, IDK. It depends on my mood or environment at the time. Generally, I prefer more details & seeing the time invested n your wrk. Plus, I LOVE Video Editing & I always delight n how U & othrs put your Final Production together, noticing the A-footage frm the B-footage, etc... ...I think I answerd your Question.. I got lost n wht I was sayng. Happens.

[@joeruss93]

Yes! Super helpful! I still struggle with losing parts when cutting them all out at first 😂

[@GitMike]

I love the detailed videos. If you ever have the chance please do a detailed build video, its so satisfying!

[@jayring77]

This was such a helpful video. Had all the basics from clipping to sanding to organizing. Truly appreciate the explanation on where to spend energy/effort and how you describe this as a "healing kit" to test your set up and streamline for future builds.

[@frostedsnow]

Thank you for your feedback it really means a lot!

[@theorganicshadow]

I appreciate you taking your time with explaining everything- even the little details that may "not really matter". Because as much as I love this hobby, there's way too many videos that leave out crucial details, or they skim over something important assuming that the audience is already at their level with the hobby. For example it was like pulling teeth trying to find a guide that states which order to scribe, sand, apply gloss, panel line, matte coat, etc. etc. and which products are compatible without activating one another.

[@frostedsnow]

Really appreciate you taking the time to leave such a helpful comment. That could be interesting to focus on the order from start to finish, though a tall order cuz it'll be quite a lot of sifting through footage. I may attempt that one day! I do talk about product compatibility and activation in my enamel hand painting video : ) it sounds like it could be a big video / comprehensive guide to the entire process of build/painting a model kit..

[@sebastien6483]

I enjoyed simply watching you work. Great bits of wisdom. Someone discouraged me from snipping and finishing all the parts first, saying I wouldnt be able to find my way, but i temporarily stored the parts in each runner's bag and it made assembly easy. I haven't painted a kit yet but I keep looking for guidance from you and other builders until I get up the nerve to. Thank you.

[@frostedsnow]

Don't let ppl discourage you from finding your own way!! There are lots of unique ways that people do things : )

[@willisjackson7029]

For me, I start with piecing sections together and see what seam lines are going to be needed to be removed and then I examine them to see if a piece or pieces need to be constructed to the same part that I will be removing the seam lines from so I can paint that piece first and then I attach it together with the other pieces and then glue it together and then sand after it dries and then I will paint the rest of the piece. And I do it all by hand, no airbrush. I also do a lot of joint tightening on the pollycaps or ball joints that connect to the pollycaps so that the joints can hold their positions and also allow for me to reposition them if I want to have a different pose. I love your videos. Thanks for sharing and Happy Building!😊

[@fattiger6957]

Even after 2 years of building gunpla, I am amazed at the people who can cut every piece off the runners and be able to build the whole kit from that. I don't cut out pieces step by step. I usually cut out maybe a page's worth of parts at a time and follow instructions from there. As for painting, I don't have enough space to hold all the pieces. I prime, paint and coat inner frames first. Then I do the armor plates. I also like to completely build a kit before I do any painting and finishing. I think it just makes me familiar with the kit so I remember where all the pieces go after it's finished. Then I disassemble and paint. It's not efficient at all, but I don't mind being slow with my projects.

[@frostedsnow]

Sounds good too! Whatever you are comfortable with : )

[@nomomsnorules2804]

Same, ill do a snap build first, then i do head/chest prime/paint/coat then arms then legs and feet. Though, ive only ever did a zaku and wing zero ver ka. Everything at once seems...unorganized *for me, lol

[@tycarper6330]

blue tack can work wonders for parts that are hard to clip or just super small. Made painting RGs much easier for me personally!

[@blaaaaaaaaaaaaargh]

It's my go to for parts that wouldnt otherwise stick on a alligator clip.

[@fattiger6957]

I also use toothpicks for pieces that have small holes. Stick the toothpick in the hole so it's tight enough that the piece doesn't move (but not tight enough to damage the part) then clip the other end of the toothpick into an alligator clip.

[@frostedsnow]

Nice tip!

[@Chippie-O]

I agree, but I just recently found that my original stash of blutack had gotten old, and super sticky, thought it would help, but ended up an utter nightmare to get off. Or to put in another way, there are still bits stuck on, because it has gone stringy and i cant remove every last bit.

[@S.A.S.H.]

Bluetack is the stuff of modeling magic!

[@S.A.S.H.]

It is always valuable to hear someone else's process to see if there's thing you hadn't tried that are worth experimenting with to see if they enhance your own process. Having said that from a channel standpoint doing it for every video would likely get a bit monotonous over time. Not every process will work for every person. For instance I have significant ADHD so the "handling so often you remember the part" is very unlikely to cement it's association in my mind. Unfortunately! But I for one definitely appreciate hearing your process and the re4asons behind it.

[@aito6315]

I agree. It is always interesting to see a different process. I have learned much from watching different styles.

[@frostedsnow]

Thanks for your perspective! I do also have pretty good memory so it helps

[@vegaskatus]

Hi there, first time viewer here! i really enjoyed your video and was honestly surprised the youtube algorythem suggested it. I'm just getting into gunpla, but have built a lot of other plastic models. i'm going to check out some of your other videos to see what I can learn! thanks!

[@JosephFridley]

Thank you for posting this video! I know I’ve been one of those bugging you on these topics, so I appreciate the information. I hope you and your family are getting settled in your new home!

[@frostedsnow]

Thank you so much!!

[@d9_1056]

EXCELLENT video for new and seasoned builders alike. We're always learning.

[@frostedsnow]

That's such a great mindset I try to keep as well!

[@namihd5396]

great to see you back on providing the steps - process for gunpla painting

[@accordance73]

Damn! It's like you was reading my thoughts!!! I have always wonder how to go about this. Thank you!!!!!

[@frostedsnow]

Yeay!! glad to hear!

[@accordance73]

@frostedsnow awesome! You replied, you actually do read the comments!!!! Love your content one of the best gunpla builder/tutorial content creator out there!!!! Thank you soooooooooo much! From Jersey with much love!

[@frostedsnow]

@@accordance73 I do always read everything though it's hard to reply to all! The only things I don't read are long troll comments :X

[@accordance73]

@frostedsnow well I am honored that you took the time! Like I said before love the tutorials and work and time you put into your models and videos you make for us lil ppl trying to achieve them skillz! Lol

[@Geekeric]

Love the video, ketchup chips! I separate all my parts by section into plastic divided trays, left arm, right arm, etc.. helps with deciding on what seam lines to work and what can be assembled before painting.

[@frostedsnow]

Yes! I know a builder who does that for just straight build live streams I guess to speed up the process but I don't have much patience at the beginning to look through the manual and sift through all the runners and look for parts XD

[@pauluhliar6838]

I'm new to your videos again, I think these are great videos to keep on in the background while building my kits.

[@Hoodooter]

I love your videos, super helpful information and suggestions. It was great meeting you on the first NewType virtual build. I am just now starting to get away from straight out of box builds and starting to customize.

[@frostedsnow]

It was really cool to meet everyone! Enjoy the new custom work!

[@kewebox1251]

Good to see you uploading again! Hopefully we'll get to see your amazing work soon

[@frostedsnow]

Yeay thank you!

[@jhinshin]

now this is the kind of video we've been waiting for! thanks mom!

[@frostedsnow]

Haha welcome my child!

[@mykierobbins9489]

Thank you so much for this. I guess if I would have put a lot of effort into it, I MIGHT have figured out a way to keep organized for painting. Thank you

[@rogerw1521]

Love the longer videos as I picked up tips how to improve my cutting techniques... Still need to learn to sand from the beginner level

[@frostedsnow]

That's really great to hear the feedback is always helpful!

[@nopparutchamp13]

I was looking for how to organize the part and preparing and here you are 🔥

[@frostedsnow]

Amazing timing!

[@RedmondMonk]

a lot of stuff I wish I'd known when I'd started, great video!

[@the.nikkoman]

Hi. Thank you for the tips. Just a few questions. Hoping you can answer: 1. How do you deal with painting moveable parts? Won't the paint just scrape off that part when they move? 2. Some recommend sanding the connected parts due to the added thickness of the paint, to allow the pieces to still be assembled together. Is there a way to determine how much to sand, or when to stop sanding? Or is it a trial and error method?

[@Tomtenthemech]

BABE! WAKE UP!! A NEW FROSTEDSNOW VIDEO JUST DROPPED!! 😂❤

[@frostedsnow]

Haha thank you for the support

[@casuallycompetitivecwiss9321]

I have the same spray booth. The smaller cutting mat is a great idea!

[@frostedsnow]

Yeah! I always used my cutting mat everywhere

[@ed180779]

definitely therapeutic to see each individual sticks prep on the foam lol :)

[@frostedsnow]

Haha I find painting more therapeutic!

[@loudpedal4108]

Hey, frostedsnow I'm curious about your routine for reliably drying all your gunpla parts after giving them an ultra sonic wash. I'm worried that if I simply use a cloth the pieces with just get dirty again after washing them. Your videos have helped me so much, many thanks!

[@frostedsnow]

I just dry on towel, flip as necessary!! I show it in some of my resin build vids :)

[@willburton1561]

Like you said, learning to trust the process is something that only happens by repetition.

[@Avidire]

Glad that youre back 🎉🎉🎉

[@frostedsnow]

Hello!! thank you!

[@SpexSpexington]

I'd love to see some things covered in a future video aimed at beginners. I've been doing Gunpla for years now, but only recently (within last 5 years) began doing full paint jobs. Running into a few issues. 1) After painting, the paint job on some parts gets ruined while handling them in the final assembly phase. I've tried wearing gloves, but I lose dexterity, so I don't like wearing them in the end. 2) Painting often makes parts thicker, which makes assembly difficult. I've always thought it was due to using too thick of paint coats, or too thick of paints, but even when I uses really thin lacquer paints in thin coats, some parts still fit together poorly. Not sure what to do... and I only paint the sides I think will be visible in the end. 3) Clear coating... do you clear coat each piece individually before assembling, or assembled parts as a cluster (right leg, head, left arm, etc)? I find that when doing each individual piece before assembly, some parts wont fit together right. Especially sliding mechanisms, pegs, ball and sockets, etc. When doing assembled parts, sometimes the clear coats act like glue and seal up sliding parts, etc. 3.5) Continuation of question 3, do you just need to mask off parts that fit into each other or slide? Makes sense to do this using masking tape or silly putty. Just not sure of the "professional" practice. 4) Is it best to paint each piece individually and then assemble, or assemble as many like-colored parts together first and paint as a single chunk?

[@frostedsnow]

Thanks for the questions : ) I actually show a lot of my processes in my full build videos, which I got quite a lot of on my channel that answers a lot of those questions!

[@muramasa24]

Love to see you posting vids!

[@frostedsnow]

Glad you like them!

[@RX-79Ez-8]

Glad to see another video from you! Have you ever dealt with an older resin kit where the resin joint(round ball joint) did not lock in with the model kit? I'm using tack to temporarily hold the resin leg to the ankle/foot of the model kit. I'm thinking you might incorporate magnets but I'm not sure.

[@frostedsnow]

Yes, I replaced it with accessory parts you can buy plastic ball joints. Easy to find in Korea, not sure about NA

[@RX-79Ez-8]

@@frostedsnow Thanks for your response. When you clip the resin ball joint, in place for the plastic ball joint. Would an adhesive like Loctite do the job or do you need something more specialized between resin and plastic contact?

[@sooehn]

I do a similar style for clipping off the runners. The only difference is that I organize all the parts by body part. Then I put all the parts of each body into those plastic bits containers before working on the gates and nubs.

[@frostedsnow]

I know some organize by body parts!

[@chineseguy1000]

hey! love the videos. would you say sanding is necessary for paint adhesion or just to remove imperfections from the plastic?

[@frostedsnow]

Remove imperfections from plastic, surface adhesion for resin : )

[@Canigetanawwwwyyyyeeeah]

Do you know. I have some left handed godhands. Bloody love them. Use them well more than my rightys’ for getting into angles that would otherwise be awkward I’ve found them to be a smidge tougher than my rightys’ too. Still cut like them too.

[@OGGangstaT]

I'm so glad you said sanding is your least favorite part because it is absolutely my least favorite part too. I got a kit I'm gonna paint that has just been sitting there for like 2 months deconstructed because I haven't been able to get myself to finish sanding it...

[@frostedsnow]

I understand! I have multiple projects too more cuz I get distracted and tempted elsewhere easily!

[@Kraven51]

Can you find a link to the exact foam you have Frosted? I'm having trouble finding it and that foam you have in your amazon page is not the consistency compared to the one you are using. The one in your video looks very firm. Thanks to you though you made my airbrushing much better with buying the bamboo skewers and alligator clips individually and piecing them together, such a money save!

[@jeffholt9437]

Ok, I've now separated all 2340 parts for my 1/350 battleship - what next.....? 😊😊😊 Seriously, some good tips here (bagging the frame number with the frame parts, removing the unused parts first) - even for experienced modellers - thanks!

[@Ashfield122]

my issue is say when i cut out all the parts from the A runner and those runners usually have multiple colours and once you prime them with grey say how do you know what colour to paint which part now?

[@frostedsnow]

When I prime, I will line the ones in the same runners by a line of the same color. The first piece of the line will probably be the biggest and the most obvious of what that color should be. A small kit like this, easy to remember : )

[@calvin14888]

Just a heads up, the booth's base is made in plastic, any paints and solvent will melt it a bit and doesn't look as good. I normally put paper tower on top so I can replace them when they gets dirty.

[@frostedsnow]

I do plan to cover it once I start painting : )

[@arr1809]

Hey congrats for your work, is amazing. I have a cuestión regarding pre-scribing before painting. How do you do for avoiding ink spread on your pieces when you did the masking? Cheers a lot!

[@frostedsnow]

Somewhere in the long run I'll do a masking video : )

[@jackstudio1493]

I find it much easier to cut nubs when the blade is going towards your hands not away its gives you more controll

[@xnflg3074]

we clip and clean up the same way! i just do two snips because i'm too concerned about breaking my godhands.

[@stephentaylor1030]

I noticed that your using the blunt nose nippers. I have the keen pointed ones ( which are not God Hand ) and was wondering that is there a difference between the two?

[@frostedsnow]

Im actually not sure I just use standard one!

[@stephentaylor1030]

@@frostedsnow okay. I use the Madworks ones and thanks.

[@kyarameru_dayo]

Nice! Will definitely be saving this for when I eventually tackle my first painting project.. it's intimidating to think about. By the way, how's the ultrasonic cleaner? I'm also considering buying one to clean my parts and my airbrush. I'm using water-based acrylic to paint, and I hear washing your parts gives a better result.

[@frostedsnow]

I always used a sonic cleaner to clean my airbrush. This one works just like my old one. Nothing fancy about them tbh long as it turns on!

[@Real_Name_Redacted]

0:37 I'm pretty new to gunpla. What does she mean by "jump" or "junk" parts ? Are these extra parts? Or connection parts?

[@scorcher004]

Extra parts that are not used in the build. Lots of kits share runners and as a result, extra parts will come with your kit sometimes. They will have a big X on them in the manual

[@The_Durzo_Blint]

Junk parts are pieces that won't be used in the build process. In the beginning of the manual, they are X'ed out where it shows all runners. Some kits have none, and some have lots. Hope this helps.

[@Ashfield122]

sometimes kits come with more of the same parts or alternative parts

[@frostedsnow]

Thanks everyone with your helpful responses!

[@fattiger6957]

@@Real_Name_Redacted And don't throw those extra parts away. Keep them all in a box or ziplock bag. Maybe in the future you will want to do some custom work and those extra parts are great for kitbashing. Also you could use them to replace parts you lost. I recently lost a polycap (those small rubber parts) While I didn't have an exact replacement, I was able to juryrig a replacement from a part in my bag of leftovers.

[@starhew2868]

Thank you for this video!

[@fattiger6957]

One thing I discovered when clipping parts onto alligator clips is how useful toothpicks can be. If you have a part that doesn't have any place to attack the clip, but does have a small hole then you can stick the toothpick into the hole. Then stick the toothpick to the alligator clip. So like the "mouth" part of the rg 2.0 doesn't have anywhere to clip onto. But it does have little grills that you can fit the top of a toothpick into. Don't push too hard else you can deform the part.

[@frostedsnow]

Nice tip!

[@StorminWolf]

Godhands does a red handled version to cut runners up to 5mm. Foiund that out after I broke 2 Blue ones :/

[@christianknight9669]

How did I missed this video…..but nice video as usual

[@frostedsnow]

Not late at all!

[@ashshallowblue3500]

gday. my first time attempting to paint a kit. Do you sand every part fully? is this required? I've done one sprue fully sanded with 800 and 1000. I hven't lost much detail but wow, this will take way too long to do the full kit :O I'm sorted for airbrush and paint knowledge, I just need to nail the preparation! there's not many good prep videos. thanks, love your vids! keep em comin' :D

[@frostedsnow]

I sand only the nubs for plastic and every surface for resin!

[@chlwogh5]

즐겨보고 있습니다 앞으로 더 많이 부탁드려요!! ㅎㅎ

[@frostedsnow]

잘 봐주셔서 감사합니다! 앞으로 열심히 영상 올려 보겠습니다 ^^

[@tonchito1449]

ARGAMA HOBBY SHOUT OUT YIPPPPPIEEEEE!!!!

[@frostedsnow]

Yeaaaa they have a lot of loyal customers it seems!

[@MonographicSingleheadedM-sp2wk]

how do you set up the pipe to that painting cabin you have ? I have a similar one but I v no idea what to do with the pipe, do I simply out the end of the pipe on the floor ? do I place it outside the window ? I dont wanna paint and plastic volatiles flying outside or inside the room.

[@Alucifer555]

Hi, I’m just curious if you may have any suggestions for my situation. I live also in Vancouver and unfortunately do not have access to be able to any airbrushing/spray cans indoors and have to go out doors for it… With the rainy season here now, anything I can do asides from waiting till next summer? 😅

[@frostedsnow]

Perhaps consider getting an airbrush spray booth? You can paint indoors any season.

[@Alucifer555]

@ i have been considering that as an option. Unfortunately my garage does not have a place where I can setup for exit air from the booth. Though I have seen ideas to make a filter system with a pail and carbon filters. 😉

[@AgentHKG]

good job❤❤❤❤

[@marcelfab7551]

I go through the instuction, cut all the haed parts, remove the nubs, sand them and put them in a container marked Head! Then torso, arms, waist, legs, backpack and weapons. I can just go grab the legs box, paint all the leg parts and put them back in the leg box to keep dust away while I procrastinate before doing another section.

[@frostedsnow]

That's great you've got a process figured out!

[@marcelfab7551]

@frostedsnow I adopted this method mostly because I did not want to buy and manage a bunch of clips and stands/ foam. Back then, I lived in a small NY apartment, and you could not pick up anything in my room without finding an alligator clip!

[@cryaboutitwhydontya]

You are amazing ❤

[@Scorpionork]

Is painting directly after sanding parts possible or should I just stick to priming before painting?

[@frostedsnow]

Best to prime!

[@yungpropaganda]

can i ask where can i find that foam you use to hold your bamboo sticks?

[@frostedsnow]

All my Painting Products listed on my Amazon storefront! Link in vid and description

[@AC-dy1hp]

So do you recommend sanding all parts 400 - 800 - 1000 before primers ?

[@frostedsnow]

I don't sand every part with all 3 grits, especially the ones that don't show much.

[@victorg7036]

I usually group parts by runner and color. I try to do all the same colors at once

[@trungdo1199]

ultrasonic cleanser, I need to buy one.

[@frostedsnow]

go for it!

[@willieko]

What are your go-to shops in Vancouver? I've been going to Hobby Bee and MetroHobby the most (seems like the best price-wise), but curious what you think?

[@frostedsnow]

I don't shop in person much. I'm really an online shopper, mostly cuz I need paints and most in person shops don't have them.. oh and we don't have a car yet so!

[@willieko]

@@frostedsnow follow-up question! Which online stores? I've only shopped in preson so far (fairly new hobby for me, just started in August) and would love to know what good options there are for Canadian shoppers

[@frostedsnow]

Atm I'm sponsored by Argamahobby.com so I do all my shopping with them! Esp paints which r hard to find elsewhere

[@selay333]

My method is a little slower since I have a bit of tape on the sticks with the runner letter and number on it.

[@frostedsnow]

Whatever you are comfortable with is ok!

[@Lando00100]

I like to cut and build at the same time. Then break back down to paint and by that time I have better understand were everything gos.

[@frostedsnow]

That's great you got a process figured out!

[@eliashd196]

Where to Buy this iluminación desk for gunpla

[@SilentBlade009]

I do the same process as u but I separated them in a sandwich bag or some sort of container😅

[@frostedsnow]

Works great too!

[@matthiaszapf1171]

iam watching this will airbrushing my astray heresy of fate(yes the daban one) into an blue frame astray.and then iam gonna build it !

[@frostedsnow]

Awesome!

[@Gunplahrazzi]

Team NEWTYPE

[@frostedsnow]

Hiya my friend! Thanks always for stopping by!

[@decisive_battle3565]

am watching this while building my rg 2.0

[@frostedsnow]

Nice!

[@DomVonDoom]

One step @frostedsnow doesn't seem to do is pre-build then disassemble for painting. "Straight to Sticks" is what I call this method.

[@fattiger6957]

That's how I do things. I think it gets me more familiar with the model. So it's easier for me to rebuild it after painting + finishing.

[@frostedsnow]

I was gonna address this but the video was already long! Maybe in the future : )

[@moenator509]

It also makes it easier to design new panel lines on the kit

[@andrewfok007]

When you air brush, do you wear a mask?

[@frostedsnow]

Yes!

[@jacobfowler4873]

You don’t preassemble before painting?

[@frostedsnow]

Not for original paint jobs cuz there's no need imo : ) I'm gonna talk about this in a future build : )

[@musicpoolchannel8602]

won't sanding that way make you breathe the microplastics? I mean yeah you use a mask but won't the microplastics go everywhere in the room anyway?

[@Somnifuge]

Now I wonder how people who prebuild and then disassemble the kit entirely before painting go about organizing the parts, that seems like it'd be a nightmare. (Also I'm more of an all dressed guy, but ketchup is still up there.)

[@frostedsnow]

They would clip the parts for paint by body parts : ) Check out the comments there's a lot of tips from viewers there! I'm not a fan of all dressed myself XD I switch between ketchup and BBQ : ) Also, can't stand vinegar!

[@TCTheGreat]

U make sanding looks fast 😢

[@frostedsnow]

It's miserable in real life :X

[@Mattitude420]

You make my least favorite part of Gunpla look fun.

[@frostedsnow]

Sanding is my least favourite.. the rest I don't mind!

[@bennyngxingzhi]

I planning to buy this RG Gunpla no chance to pin the Gundam first time building 😅😅😅🥰🫡🇲🇾