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Prices
To keep financing this hobby, I am offering my services but also because there are a tons of kits I would just like to paint for fun or as little challenge, allowing me to try out new methods. So feel free to contact me, if there is anything you would like to have painted, I also have started a list of kits, I definitely would love to paint but did not buy, because if I buy every kit I like, no space and money. Space is also a big reason I end up selling some kits I painted for myself, as said, some I just like to paint for fun - So you can occasionally check here, if you want to buy one.
I've started this hobby at the end of 2023, so sometimes I still feel like a beginner. If you are a big perfectionist and desire a true professional, please search elsewhere or at least check my works and judge yourself how satisfied you are with the end results. Since this is also my hobby (the time spend on it is no loss for me, or not as much), I rather use fixed prices, because I doubt anyone would be willing to pay me per hour, it would end up quite expensive, especially with my still limited skills.
Authentic / original Garage Kits from the sculptors can be bought during Wonfes, or on booth, Y!Auctions, Surugaya, Mandarake, though be careful as some sneak in recasts / fakes.
There exist plenty of Garage Kits I would just like to paint for fun or as challenge, but that would destroy my wallet, reasons I am open for commissions, as I love painting them (even if it can be hella frustrating) and include them to my little portfolio.
Price: heavily depends on the complexity and state of the kit, like the amount of parts, the scale size, the condition if a lot of sanding is required due to mold lines, or filling air bubbles with putty, or even fix some parts with putty or sculpt something additionally to the kit. Then there is also the painting part, like if a lot of masking is required by complex outfit designs with many different colors. Also if any decals are included for eyes or pattern. My prices range from 100 - 400 Eur, usually it's somewhere in the middle, like a figure in a bunny suit, it is usually a bigger scale but design wise not too complex.
Shipping: I live in the EU / Germany, so depending where you live it can go from ca. 8 Eur, to 17 Eur, to 50 Eur, all via DHL. For protection I use foam, which is not cheap either, usually around 30 Eur, but such material you can also provide to me, when you ship the kit to me first. Cheaper methods like bubble wrap (+ 0 Eur, got enough stored) is also possible but only advised by simple kits, with nothing too thin with high risk of breaking.
Base: If not included in the kit, an acryl base usually costs around 10 Eur or more with shipping, again something you can also provide to me if you ship the kit to me. Wood is also possible, just had less luck to find ones. Some shops offer acryl bases with special effects or different sculpts. I can also paint on the base to give it color, or decorate it.
Materials: I use mostly Mr Color Paints (Laquer), for eye painting Tamiya (Enamel), mind you they are bit limited in the colors they offer there. Chameleon Paints (pearl, shiny effect), Primer (Tamiya), Surfacer (Mr Hobby). Vallejo (Acryl) for rare handpaint occasions. Varnish (Mr Hobby), Brass rods, magnets, sanding paper / sponges (various brands), various files, electric tools, masking tape (Tamiya), Mr Tool Cleaner, Isopropyl, Nail Art Deco, Glitter & rhinestones, UV Resin, Putty (various brands), steel rods, acryl rods, degreaser, real jewelry, chains, etc ... so you get an idea of the costs as well, considering how much is required.
Time: Depends on work and my schedule, so hard to measure, when I have vacation I can be faster, but lets roughly say 1-3 months.
Garage-Kits: Either you ship them to me, or I can actually buy them, though only after payment for the kit's price + shipping. So if you see any new kit, feel free to contact me, though ofc I cannot guarantee of acquiring it, so usually it is better to just buy it yourself. I can also paint pre-painted scales or Nendoroid Parts, maybe you prefer them in a different color, or want more shading?
Process
Process
Sadly a Garage Kit requires far more work than just painting.
You have to sand the kit as it usually got mold lines, or print lines (if 3D-printed) which you have to sand down so the surface is smooth again. Some kits got airbubbles or other issues which need to be filled with putty and smoothed down too.
Then these kits need to be washed with degreaser, otherwise the paint won't stick to the surface.
So the kit keeps itself together metal pins / rods are required and or magnets, whatever works best depending on the pieces. Most also require a base, where acryl plates are mostly used. Wood works too.
Once all is smooth is pinned, the kit can be primed (which is required for the paint to stick) and during that stage some airbubbles can be seen better or other flaws, which need to be fixed again, before a new primer layer can be added.
Then finally, once all is smooth, the painting can start and depending on the kit's design, masking with tape can be required too, if there are more different colors on a single piece, like a skirt with stripes. Everything needs to be protected with varnish, which can be matt, satin or glossy, whatever fits best. Like skin is matt, Latex Boots glossy.
For the eyes there are either water decals included, or they have to be handpainted, where I personally use the enamel method.
Shipping
Shipping
some examples, first being with foam and the second was with bubble wrap and a mix of other soft materials like peanuts.
Both arrived safely, generally I still recommend the foam method though, especially for thin and fragile parts.
Parts
Parts
During the pinning process, I vaguely decide how many pieces I'll keep separate or better glue together later. I want the kit to be easy to put together but also arrive safely.
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