How to Prep Your Gunpla: Removing Nub Marks and Other Surface Imperfections [Tutorial] 

This is a great guide with clear, well-shot presentation and a lot of useful information. I absolutely wish I had been able to find a guide this helpful when I was first starting out getting into the hobby a few months back. As someone who's still intimidated by doing my own painting, I've found that starting with 800-1000 grit to sand nubs down, moving to 2000 grit to smooth things out, then finishing off with 3000 grit (and possibly a little shining with a non-abrasive sponge afterward as needed) is what consistently allows me to restore the plastic to its natural slightly shiny finish without the need for paint or primer. I had wanted to ask about two issues I've run into that weren't addressed in this video. First, I've found that oftentimes gates (and therefore nubs) are placed on thin bezels on the outer edge of a part. This is good overall because they're generally less noticeable, but it can make it hard to sand down particularly stubborn nubs/stress marks/knife mistakes without messing up the thin line of that bezel. Do you have any tips in that regard? The second issue I run into as a perfectionist is after I've perfectly sanded down a nub to be flush with no stress marks... but still find that there's a dark spot of discoloration where the plastic was injected in the mold. Is this something that's even fixable without painting? i.e. can you simply sand deep enough to get to non-discolored plastic, or is that just not feasible?

Oh, wait so you telling me i could habe use nippers instead of chew away the plastic of the parts?

I'm new to Gunpla and this was one of my major headaches. I'm working on my 4th kit and I really wanted to start getting the nub removal and sanding down. I don't plan on painting anytime soon so this vid was perfect for me. You have a new subscriber.

Easily the most informative video I've seen when it comes to nub marks and stuff. I built a Deathscythe MG as my first kit a day ago and I had the misfortune if being so full of myself and assembled it all while a lot of nub marks are still on it, lmao. Anyway, I'll do my best to sand the visible nub marks and eventually top coat it. Lastly, you earned yourself a subscriber.

This is the best video I've seen on the topic of nub removal and sanding for beginners. You definitely need more views.

such a good video! I was very surprised to see the size of your channel, this is excellent stuff

Really great video. Lots of how tos kind of gloss over stuff or, honestly, take it all so seriously. This was really clear and approachable.

I have some notes.. First - Safety 3rd.. always (kidding, it should be above first), B) That is a mighty nice back log! 3rd) Safety. and lastly, This was a great video with a ton of excellent Info. Cant wait for the next one.

great video i just started buildiing so i wll be following you for sure

Clear video for eradicating all the nubs on your plamo 👍

Awesome video. Been looking for a good nub removal video. This should have more views! Keep it up. Also love the Rambo clips =]

I would like to say, using a Glass file as well over a metal file can leave a nice sheen behind since it's more pealing away the plastic then scratching it off. I use Gunprimers Raser but even some cheaper ones do a decent job.

Wish I'd seen this before building gwitch expansion set.. The situational nubmarks removal is useful asf

For part removal, one thing that I learned a while ago is that it might be worth it to grab the largest ziplock bag you can get and do the work with the sprue you're working on inside the bag...especially with smaller pieces. A clear bag because you need to be able to see through it, but it also prevents a lot of things like tension throws of parts. Most of the larger bags are heavy enough that blades don't easily pass through them unless you push directly against it, and the bag means that you don't have pieces flying everywhere.

Thanks for the tips! Ive done a few kits but now looking to up my game. I ordered some replacement blades, sanding sponges, and some other things. I can't wait to make my kits look better than ever!

Teach me the ways of the DARK ARTS!!! *Arnold voice* Common DO IT!

this video is super helpful. thank you

Great video! very helpful!

Very nice and informative video. I subscribed.

Sanding is a bothersome yet enjoyable work :)

When trimming the nubs on sandwiched pieces I don't even bother sanding them until I've welded the seam with cement. Saves me the trouble of sanding the part twice.

Great tutorial, I will deffo follow along on my next build. Have u ever done brush painting in a kit ?

The one thing I wish I had or knew about when starting, is how amazing a good quality glass file helps! Also how amazing sanding sponges are for curved pieces.

Great advice!

Good shit. Would have been useful as hell to me when I started a couple years ago.

I didn’t even know single bladed nippers where a thing !

Honestly. Glass file, all day every day. Only tool I use now. It’s like rough grit sand paper that leaves a surface so shiny it’s better than the mold itself. Every piece I have now has nub marks that look better than the rest of the plastic.

I personally use nanoglass files in conjunction with my God Hand nippers to remove nubs pretty easily. The DSPIAE siren, and the gunprimer raser 2 are my particular goto Glass files. I tend to like glass files much better than metal ones, and even sand paper, since they do not leave harsh abrasion marks on the plastic and gives a slight sheen to them that can easily be removed via a buffing stick. However, a tip for all who use these nanoglass files in particular. The best way to clean away the excess plastic powder built up on the file that you rubbed away is to use some scotch tape and pull away all the powder in one pass. I used a toothbrush at first, but as a PSA ... don't be me. Don't breath in microplastic bro, it's not fun. I personally think that using one of these glass files will significantly be a great alternative to whoever may not be completely comfortable with a hobby knife yet. They have certainly helped me.

Can you please do a showcase of your build space and how you did it? I need to upgrade mine lol😊

going chaos side : using nail nipper instead

Quick tip, if you want to speed up the cleaning process, just cut the part directly off the runner with a nipper if that part won't be seen anyway. Like for example on 3:33, it's just a joint piece that won't ever be seen so there's no need to spend extra time cleaning it

Subbed!!! Now teach us the dark arts plzz!

Would you be willing to provide tips on removing plastic flash?

I'm kinda new to building gunpla but is there a difference between the expensive branded sand papers and some regular cheap sand papers found in any hardware store?

can u do tutorial top coat next ?

6:19 which olfa blade fits the tamiya holder?

👍👍👍👍

Nub marks guide for titanium finish gundams?