Model Glossary

I think you know how to work one of these ;) This is just everyday model nerd vocabulary, so throw a couple around to be *cool*

D E F G I M P R S T W

dremel tool: -Special tool made by the Dremel Company that comes with drilling, sanding, and cutting attachments. Excellent modeling companion

enamels: -Of all the different paints one can use for plastic models, enamels are the slowest to dry, but because of this hide brush strokes better. Their colors are the brightest, and because they do not melt away lacquer or acrylic paints (as a base), are great for panel lines and weathering. If you decide to thin these colors enough for the airbrush, they tend not to stick to the plastic however
enemy, modeler's worst

five star stories: -A movie and manga series that boasts very beautiful, very slender and very very detailed mecha named "mortar heads". FSS models are very delicate and often come with foot long weaponry. They are considered more of the medium to high experience kits
flash: -To clean up parting lines, tree attachments and any bumps from the model

gate: -The portion of the tree that connects the runner to the parts. Mainly found in plastic models. Another geeky term
gundam: -Popular robot/mecha anime of the 70's to present day. It is responsible for many of the plastic model kits put out by Bandai. Famous models from the Gundam universe are the Zaku, the Gelgoog, the Gundam itself, and, the Dom Mobile Suits (MS). Gundam models come in all shapes and sizes, and there is one for a beginner or an expert
gundam 101

macross: -Anime series that has spawned almost as many spinoffs as Gundam, if not more. It is famous for it's veritechs, or variable fighters. Macross models come in all shapes and sizes, and for a pretty sum of money, you will be able to purchase a fully transformable kit
masking: -Hiding or "masking" away portions of the model so they are not sprayed over by the wrong color or leaked into. This is usually done with a special modeler's tape that will stick, but not adhere to the paint, thus ripping it off. Masking tape is generally expensive, running 5 or more bucks for a small roll

polly s: -A model and hobby company famous for its high-quality paints and putties
prime: -A step in preparing the model for painting. It involves spraying the model with clear surfacer or a colored primer such as Soft99 or Modeler's primer
putty: -Modeler's putty used to fix imperfections in models or mold your own additions or changeds to a model such as a new horn, for example. Also used in making dioramas and textures
PVC: -Polymer Vinyl Chloride...also known as soft vinyl. A popular and pliable model kit material

resin: -"Resin" is the common name for a class of casting polymers typically requiring two parts. When the two parts are mixed, they produce a chemical reaction and generate exothermic heat, causing the material to harden and fuse into a solid form. The result is a type of plastic

sandpaper: -Helps to clean up and smoothe parting lines or dirt/paint off of a model. Comes in many grains (toughness, texture)
scale: -Indicates size of the model. Most plastic models of mecha will come as 1/100 and 1/144. Every so often you will see 1/60s which are some of the biggest available. There is also a 1/225 for truly huge models, such as the SDF-1 of Macross fame. Resins and soft vinyl kits tend to come in the 1/6, 1/8 and 1/15 variety
sealant: -Used during the finishing process on models to "seal" it away from catastrophes caused by water, use and rough handling
soft resin: -A softer, lighter version of resin. You can cut through soft resin like a hot knife thru buddah
sofubi: -Japanese contraction for sofuto biniiru or soft vinyl
surfacer: -Part of the preparation process for painting a model. See also, primer. Surfacer is usually clear, and not only helps paint stick, but prevents agains model meltdown from clashing paints and surfaces

tree: -The frame upon which most plastic and some resin models come attached to. Also known as a runner

weathering: -The act of showing wear and tear in a model for more realistic effects

D E F G I M P R S T W

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