How to remove nub marks on Gunpla

A nub is the leftover bit of plastic where a part was attached to the runner. Removing it cleanly is what separates a tidy build from a toy-looking one.

1. 01

   Make the first cut away from the part

   Cut the gate a few millimetres from the piece. Cutting flush on the first pass stresses the plastic and leaves white marks.

2. 02

   Make the second cut flush

   Now trim the remaining nub with the flat side of the nippers against the part.

3. 03

   Shave with a hobby knife

   Scrape the last bit away with light strokes, blade almost flat to the surface.

4. 04

   Sand from coarse to fine

   Use 400, then 600, then 1000 grit. Sand in one direction and only on the nub area.

5. 05

   Fix white stress marks

   Rub them with a glass file, or carefully warm the spot with a hairdryer. A matte top coat also hides them.

Ready to show off a clean build? Add panel lines next.