10 Gunpla mistakes beginners make (and how to avoid them)
Everyone makes these mistakes on their first kits. Knowing them in advance saves parts, stickers and frustration.
- Cutting parts flush on the first cut. Cut a few millimetres away from the part first, then trim the rest. A flush first cut leaves white stress marks.
- Twisting parts off the runner. Except for Entry Grade kits designed for it, always use cutters. Twisting can tear the plastic.
- Cutting every part at once. Cut only the parts for the current step. Many pieces look alike and runners have letter and number labels for a reason.
- Ignoring the part codes in the manual. A code like B-12 means runner B, part 12. Check both before cutting.
- Pressing parts together at an angle. Line up the pegs and press straight. Forcing a crooked fit can snap a peg.
- Building both arms on the wrong side. Manuals often show left and right parts that are mirror images. Check the diagram before closing them up.
- Peeling stickers with fingers. Use tweezers or the tip of a hobby knife. Oils from your skin weaken the glue.
- Using a dull blade. A dull knife tears plastic instead of shaving it. Blades are cheap; change them often.
- Working on a cluttered table. Small parts vanish. A cutting mat and a small tray or bowl solve this.
- Starting with a kit that's too hard. A Perfect Grade or Real Grade as a first kit is a common way to quit the hobby. Start with an HG.
Already snapped two parts together by mistake? A parts separator or a flat plastic tool slipped into the seam will open them without scratches.