Gundam markers are fantastic tools to give your Gunpla kits a spruce. There are four types: liner, brush, pour, and eraser.
Rather than assembling your Gunpla kits as is, you can exercise your creativity and have fun with the markers. They can be used to add lines and colors, as well as produce effects that make your Gunpla kits more realistic and impressive. It is also great for customization.
So, how to use Gundam markers?
We have a complete Gundam marker tutorial below. So, read on to find out!
Table of Contents
Using Gundam Markers Guide
Step 1: Washing your Gunpla kit
Most Gunpla kits are covered with a film of mold release agent, which can impede your Gundam markers’ paint or ink. Therefore, you should give it a bath beforehand with some soapy water.
Step 2: Choosing the appropriate marker tip
Gundam markers come in a variety of tip sizes. So, to start, you need to pick the right one for the Gunpla kit you are working on.
- If your kit has smaller panel lines, you want a marker with a 0.01 or 0.005 tip.
- If your kit has larger panel lines, you can go with tips starting from 0.05.
Step 3: Test your markers
As with other markers, it is necessary to test your Gundam markers beforehand. Simply try them on your Gunpla piece. Check that the ink is not runny, and get an idea of how many applications you will need for each part.
Do not worry about ruining your piece here. You can easily erase everything with a rubber eraser or some rubbing alcohol and tissues.
Step 4: Tape up the parts you do not want to add color to
Grab the Gunpla kit you want to add paint or ink to and a roll of masking tape. Tape all the areas that you do NOT want to color. Take the time to do this very carefully. Cover all the crevices too.
The masking tape will act as a protective barrier, preventing the colors of your Gundam markers from seeping through. As a result, you can spend less time cleaning up any excess.
Step 5: Line the panels of your Gunpla piece
Now, take your Gundam marker and give it a shake if it is the liner type or pour type. Make sure you keep the cap on tightly while you shake. Then, uncap it to use!
- With the liner type marker, you would just use it like a regular marker. Trace the grooves and accents to give your Gunpla piece more depth and detail. This process is called panel lining or paneling.
- The same goes for the Gundam brush type marker. You would use it like any other brush marker. Use it to add thicker lines to the details of your Gunpla piece.
- With the pour type marker, you would have to press the tip down to release ink and color in your Gunpla piece. Ideally, you would use it on the hollows and molds.
Be sure to go in a single direction to lay the colors down evenly if you are covering more space. You must also remember not to exert too much pressure when you press the tip. If not, your marker will be damaged.
Note: Make sure you give the marker enough time to dry. Otherwise, it will smudge and smear easily. Then, you will have to spend more time erasing it and starting over.
Step 6: Remove the masking tape in step 3
After adding all the paint or ink you want, you can remove the masking tape. Wait until the paint or ink has dried before peeling the tape away. Discard the tape and move on to the next step.
Step 7: Clean up any excess paint or ink
Inspect your Gunpla kit thoroughly. Identify any spots with excess paint. Grab a rubber eraser to clean them up. You can also use a Q-tip or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
As soon as you are done cleaning the excess, your Gunpla piece is good to go! Repeat these steps for all the pieces in your Gunpla kit. Then, assemble everything to get a complete figure.
What Are Gunpla Markers for?
Gunpla markers refer to markers used to add paint or ink to a Gunpla kit, and the most common type of markers used for this purpose is actually called Gundam markers.
You can use them to outline the grooves of pieces in a Gunpla kit to elevate the detail and overall appearance of the kit. These are preferable over acrylic and spray paint because they offer users better control. They come in many tips and colors. Plus, they can be easily erased.
1. Gundam Markers – Liner Type
- Tip: Hard felt tip
- Ink: Oil-based ink
- Variations: Brown, gray, and black.
These are Gundam markers for panel lining. You use them to make sharp lines to grooves, accents, and molded sizes of Gunpla pieces. As a result, you can make your Gunpla more 3D and realistic.
2. Gundam Markers – Brush Type
- Tip: Flexible brush tip
- Ink: Acrylic-based ink
- Variations: Brown and black
This is another panel line Gundam marker, but it produces thicker lines than the liner type marker. You can use it to fill in hollows and molds too. Their tips are more flexible for reaching nooks and crannies.
3. Gundam Markers – Pour Type
- Tip: Solid plastic tip
- Ink: Oil-based ink
- Variations: A wide range of colors (Orange, green, blue, to name a few)
With runny ink flowing upon a pressing motion, these markers are used for filling in wider areas. You can use them to customize your Gunpla, making it your very own creation.
- Note: However, these will not work on painted Gunplas. They are limited to straight builds.
4. Gundam Markers – Eraser Type
This is a marker containing alcohol, which serves as the cleaning or erasing agent. In other words, the marker is an eraser in marker form. Since it has a tip, users can get more control while using it for erasing.
Some people refer to it as the Gundam weathering marker. This is because it helps in creating a weathering effect on Gunpla kits. You would use it along with the brush type marker.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long do Gundam markers need to dry?
These markers are dry to the touch after roughly 30 minutes. Liner type- and pour type markers tend to dry slower than brush type markers (the Gundam markers acrylic type).
Are Gundam markers safe?
These markers are unsafe if inhaled or ingested in large quantities. It is even more so in a poorly ventilated setting. But if you use them properly, they will not pose harm to your health.
How much do Gundam markers cost?
A single marker can cost between $3.50 and $5.00, depending on the type that you choose to get. Gundam marker sets of 6 are $18.95.
How to revive Gundam markers?
There are four steps you need to take:
1. Hold the marker vertically with the nib upward and pull the nib out.
Note: Avoid wiggling to avoid causing damage to the nib.
2. Rinse the nib with warm water. Then, dry it with some tissues.
3. Insert the nib back into the marker, making sure to fix it securely.
4. Press the nib on some tissues to test if the ink has returned.
How to clean Gundam markers?
Cleaning Gundam markers is surprisingly easy. You just need to take three simple steps:
1. Check that the marker paint is fully tried. If the paint is still fresh, it will smudge and be a lot more difficult to clean.
2. Grab some rubbing alcohol and pour it onto a cotton ball, pad, or swab.
- The cotton ball or pad is good for cleaning a large area.
- The cotton swab is good for cleaning nooks and crannies.
3. Use the cotton ball/pad/swab to go over the paint that you want to clean up.
Alternatively, you can:
- Get a Gundam Erase Type marker, which is made of alcohol.
- Press the tip of the marker on a palette to get a bit of its solution.
- Swab up the solution and use it to clean the marker paint.
Tip: With either approach, make sure you clean in a single direction to avoid smearing.
What is the best way to paint a Gunpla kit?
You can improve the look of your Gunpla kit using the steps outlined above. These use Gundam markers. You can also paint your kit using a paintbrush and the ink of these markers. If you are more comfortable with a paintbrush, this would be the best way to paint a Gunpla kit for you.
Can you use Gundam markers for drawing?
Gundam markers are made of the same ink as other oil-based or acrylic-based markers. Hence, there is no reason why you can’t use them for drawing.
You can use them for Gundam drawing easy pictures, for instance.
Conclusion
Congratulations! Now you know how to use Gundam markers.
As outlined above, Gundam markers are not too tricky to use. There are only a few steps and tips to keep in mind. Just remember to use the right type for the right purpose.
Hopefully, this has been helpful. Feel free to bookmark our blog post for future reference. If you have customized a Gunpla using our instructions, please share your experience in the comments down below! We would love to hear from you.
