MG Ver.Ka · Gradation Painting & Subtle Weathering
24 days from opening the box to the finished build. A close look at the assembly, paintwork and lessons behind this detailed Master Grade.
The MG Nu Gundam Ver.Ka is a substantial build. My goal was to preserve its recognizable white, navy, yellow and red colors while adding depth through gradual airbrush shading and restrained weathering. From the initial test assembly to the final top coat, the project took 24 days.
This overview focuses on what the finished model looks like, which steps required the most attention, and what I would approach differently next time. The detailed Japanese build record and the English step-by-step guides are linked below.
Keeping the original colors, adding depth to the armor
Instead of dramatically changing the color layout, I worked with the original scheme. Shaded white and gray surfaces give the armor more depth, while dark navy sections keep the familiar Nu Gundam silhouette. Small weathering effects add a sense of use without hiding the paint underneath.
Why test assembly mattered on this large Master Grade
There are a lot of runners and small parts. Just getting through a temporary assembly while cleaning nub marks took me about five days. Organizing runners by body section kept the workspace manageable and made it easier to plan paint and disassembly.
Separate the runners needed for the head, torso, arms, legs, backpack and weapons rather than covering the desk with everything at once.
Six fin funnels, a rifle, bazooka, shield and beam sabers add a significant amount of work beyond the main body.
I also added a few small plastic-plate details and limited panel-line scribing. The intention was to enrich selected surfaces, not redesign the mobile suit.
Gradation painting: white armor versus dark navy panels
The main technique was an airbrushed shaded build-up: leaving some darker base color visible around selected edges and recesses while bringing brighter tones toward the center of the armor panels. The white and gray armor was painted over gray surfacer; the navy began over a black base.
Rather than using the same background color for everything, I adapted the base coat to each area. The frame received pearlescent and metallic accents to suggest differences in material.
Two days of decals, then restrained wear
Applying the many small markings took approximately two days. For large decals on curved calf armor, I used decal softener to help the film settle. I then applied a light matte clear coat to protect the markings before weathering.
For chipping, I lightly dabbed thinned dark-gray enamel paint onto selected wear points with a corner of a melamine sponge. Tamiya Weathering Master C Gun Metal added subtle metallic texture to some of those marks. I also used heavily thinned dark-gray paint through the airbrush for final shadow adjustment before the last matte top coat.
The goal wasn’t to make every surface dirty. The underlying gradation, markings and weathering needed to remain balanced, especially on the bright white armor where even small marks show clearly.
Fin funnel balance and the optional LED
With the fin funnels attached, the weight shifts toward the back of the model. A more symmetrical funnel arrangement may feel better balanced, but the included display stand is a sensible choice for long-term display.
The head-lighting photographs use a compatible optional Bandai LED unit placed in the kit temporarily for photography. This was not a custom electronics modification or permanent LED installation.
Four detailed build guides
This build is divided into four practical English articles. Follow the links below to explore each stage of the build.
Runners, a five-day test build, detail work and preparing parts for paint.
Shaded airbrush painting of the beam rifle, bazooka, shield and six funnels.
Armor colors, pearlescent frame accents and the effect of matte coating on shadows.
Panel lining, decal protection, sponge chipping, shading and the final top coat.
24 days of work, and a display worth the effort
Building and painting the MG Nu Gundam Ver.Ka required patience, particularly during test assembly, the repeated fin-funnel work and the large quantity of decals. But the finished model has a strong presence, and the combination of shading and restrained weathering gives the familiar colors more character.
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