RE/100 MSN-04 “Custom Colour” Nightingale

 Switching from the standard red to a white, blue, and gold scheme for Char’s MSN-04 Nightingale presented several challenges, particularly in paint coverage and surface preparation.

The most persistent issue was eliminating the original red plastic colour. Achieving a pure white finish required multiple layers: two coats of white primer followed by two coats of Vallejo “Premium Color” white, yet even then, traces of pink hue remained, necessitating additional coats to fully mask the red.

Painting the feet and lower leg sections involved a complex process. The feet base required a satin black primer topped with steel from Vallejo’s “Metal Color” range. The ankle joints, being single moulded units, lacked separate detail parts, so brushwork was needed to add piston detailing. Care was required during assembly to avoid scratching the freshly painted surfaces.

Metallic finishes on the lower leg thrusters were achieved using AK Xtreme metals, but there was hesitation to use full lacquer-based paints due to confidence and handling concerns. For the engine verniers, achieving a convincing metallic red effect involved layering K Color Ruby Red and Red Quantum over a red primer base. This process was effective but required careful colour balancing to harmonize with the new white main colour.

A recurring problem was seam lines, especially on the side armour pieces. Despite careful assembly, these parts developed visible seams that required extensive sanding, filling, and masking before repainting. This was particularly frustrating given the “snap fix” nature of the kit, as visible seams, to me, detracted from the clean look I desired in this custom build.

Other detailing challenges included filling and sanding simulated knee covers without losing panel lines and selecting a pale gold for the hip joint to avoid an overly shiny or unrealistic finish. The sheer size of the kit made handling and assembly more difficult, especially when fitting large armour panels and ensuring no paint was damaged.

In summary, the main issues were persistent colour bleed from the original red plastic, problematic seam lines on armour parts, and the need for careful handling to preserve paintwork. Despite these challenges, the custom colour scheme was ultimately achieved, resulting in a striking and unique model.

Here are the links to the blog posts in making the Nightingale…