How to Paint Gundam Kits with Born Paint Shine Bronze

Quick answer

Airbrush Born Paint 023 Shine Bronze thinned 10:10 to 10:15 with Born Paint 027 Base Color Thinner, then build two or three light coats at low pressure. Mix the paint thoroughly first, and keep the surface clean. Because the paint resists clear coat, you can seal it without dulling the metallic particles.

What makes Shine Bronze different from a standard metallic

Born Paint 023 Shine Bronze is a fine-grained, high-brightness metallic pink bronze. Its hiding power is high, so it covers bare plastic and primer in fewer passes than many craft metallics. That matters on Gundam kits where you want a clean color shift without burying panel lines or surface detail.

The paint is formulated to resist clear coat, so the metallic particles stay put and keep their original coloring after you seal the model. That is the opposite of many hobby metallics, which turn gray or lose sparkle under a hot clear. You still need to apply it correctly; a wet, heavy coat will pool the particles and flatten the effect.

Thinning and airbrush setup

The label recommends a 10:10 to 10:15 dilution ratio with Born Paint 027 Base Color Thinner. Start at 10:10 for a 0.3 mm airbrush and move toward 10:15 if the paint sputters or dries on the needle. Stir the bottle before measuring; metallic pigment settles, and a quick shake is not enough to bring the fine bronze back into suspension.

Spray at low pressure, roughly 12 to 15 psi, and keep the airbrush 3 to 5 cm from the part. High pressure blows the metallic particles around and creates a grainy, uneven surface. Test on a plastic spoon or a spare runner before committing to a painted kit.

Surface prep and priming

Wash the parts with mild soap and water to remove mold release, then let them dry completely. A primer helps the bronze read consistently, especially over dark plastic or putty. Use a light gray or white primer for the brightest pink bronze; a black primer pushes the color toward a deeper, antique bronze.

Do not touch the primed surface with bare fingers. Skin oils create spots where the metallic paint pulls away, and those defects show up clearly under bright light.

Applying the color coats

Apply two or three light coats rather than one wet coat. Let each coat flash for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it looks dry to the touch, before adding the next. The first pass should look thin and slightly uneven; the second and third build the metallic depth.

Keep the airbrush moving in overlapping strokes. Stopping in one spot dumps too much paint and creates a dark, runny patch that no amount of clear coat will hide. If you see a run, stop, let it cure, and sand it back rather than trying to spray over it.

Curing and clear coating

Let the paint cure fully before handling or masking. Born Paint 023 is resistant to clear coat, so a compatible gloss or semi-gloss clear will protect the finish without changing the metallic color. Apply the clear in thin coats; a heavy wet coat can still distort the surface even if the pigment itself holds up.

If you plan to panel line or apply decals, do that after the clear coat has cured. Solvents in panel line washes can bite into uncured metallic paint and leave a cloudy ring.

Step-by-step: airbrushing Shine Bronze on a Gundam kit

1. Mix the paint thoroughly: Stir Born Paint 023 until the fine bronze pigment is fully suspended, then thin 10:10 to 10:15 with Born Paint 027 Base Color Thinner. Checkpoint: no pigment streaks or sludge at the bottom of the mixing cup.
2. Prepare and prime the parts: Wash parts with mild soap, dry them, and apply a light gray or white primer for the brightest pink bronze. Avoid touching the primed surface. Checkpoint: an even, matte primer coat with no glossy or oily patches.
3. Spray light coats at low pressure: Airbrush at 12 to 15 psi, 3 to 5 cm from the part, building two or three light coats with 5 to 10 minutes of flash time between them. Checkpoint: the coat looks thin after pass one and evenly metallic after pass three, with no runs or dark spots.
4. Cure before handling: Let the paint cure fully before masking, decaling, or panel lining. Handle parts by the runner or with clean gloves. Checkpoint: the surface is dry to the touch and does not smell of solvent.
5. Seal with a compatible clear coat: Apply thin coats of gloss or semi-gloss clear. The paint resists clear coat, so the metallic color should hold, but heavy wet coats can still distort the surface. Next step: panel line and decal after the clear has cured, then display the finished kit.

Product facts

• Born Paint 023 - Shine Bronze 15mL: Born Paint 023 Shine Bronze is a 15 mL fine-grained, high-brightness metallic pink bronze with high hiding power and high resistance to clear coat. You can seal the model without the metallic particles shifting color, and fewer coats are needed to cover primer or bare plastic.
• Side-F Limited 1/550 NZ-333 α-Azieru [Metallic]: Side-F Limited 1/550 NZ-333 α-Azieru [Metallic] includes a dedicated display base and a ν Gundam of the same scale, with 9 funnels on the skirt, movable sub-manipulators, detachable Sturm thruster units, and landing arms that extend into landing configuration. A kit with this many small, separate parts rewards a controlled metallic finish, and the included base and companion figure give you a place to show the result.
• 1/32 Subaru Sambar Truck (Sterling Silver Metallic) (Aoshima The Snap Kit Series No.05-SS): Aoshima The Snap Kit Series No.05-SS 1/32 Subaru Sambar Truck is molded in color, snaps together without glue, and builds from 26 parts. It is a low-risk way to practice thinning, distance, and coat control before spraying a more complex Gundam or sci-fi kit.