Have you ever found yourself thinking how nice it would be to have a nice, shiny model kit without all that difficult painting?
"Hey, this R34 is really cool," you think, before picking up the package and seeing all the required paints listed. And back on the shelf it goes...😭
"I don't have an airbrush..."
"If I used a brush it'd just end up a patchy mess..."
"I don't wanna mess it up!"
We've all been there! Really, we have.But these days, things are a little different...
Today's model kits are insane.
In fact, there's a model kit line out there that'll absolutely smash all your painting worries.
It's It's Aoshima's Rakupla Snap Kits! 🚗✨
Using the legendary Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R, we'll show just how to you can snap together a professional-looking model kit with nothing more than a couple tricks that anyone can do -- and no paint!
By the time we're done, you'll be positively itching to hit that Buy button. Come on, let's dive on in together! 💨
Table of Contents
😲 The model magic of Aoshima's Rakupla... 🧩 Let's get right into it and feel the satisfaction of snapping something together! 🪄 Here's where the magic happens: two little tricks to make models come to life. 🧽 Step 1: Un-shine those tires with a matte finish! 🖊️ Step 2: How permanent markers and erasers can pimp your ride (don't be afraid to mess up, either) ✨ All done! It's a paintless R34 GT-R! 🏁 Use your weekend to build a cool car for your desk!
😲 The model magic of Aoshima's Rakupla...
Our subject today is every gearhead's dream: the Aoshima Rakupla Snap Kit Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R with custom wheels in bayside blue!
The moment I opened the box, I let out a gasp. "Wait, it's already painted!?" 😲
But nope, it's not paint! The plastic itself is that beautiful, bayside blue color! It sparkles with a metallic sheen in the right light. It almost makes you want to display it as it is! The future of models is really here.
Even better: no glue is required! You simply snap all the pieces together, meaning your house won't have that paint thinner smell after.
No more complaints from the family!
Now that's how you model kit in the modern day!
🧩 Let's get right into it and feel the satisfaction of snapping something together!
Let the build begin!
Ah, you just need two things to start: nippers and tweezers.
Don't get too worried about the tools! ! Just pop on over to the dollar store if you don't have some on hand. Nail clippers will work in place of nippers in a pinch, but nippers will make a huge difference in the final polish.
All set? Let's open up our kit.
I was surprised at first by how few parts there seem to be.
For the inside, you just fold everything up and SNAP, SNAP, SNAP! Man, that's satisfying. 😆
Use the included decals for emblems and gauges. With tweezers, anyone can add them right where they need to be.
After about an hour, it started to look like a car. Here's how things went just following the basic instructions.
Now that's one good-looking vehicle. ✨ Maybe too good-looking? Honestly...
It looks a bit like a toy, doesn't it?
It's a bit too shiny. Too plastic-y. But that just means it's time to get serious. 💪
🪄 Here's where the magic happens: two little tricks to make models come to life.
If you want things to look more realistic, or you're not satisfied just putting it together, you can use one little item you have at home to really up the quality!
🧽 Step 1: Un-shine those tires with a matte finish!
Model kit tires always have that plastic sheen to them that really makes them look cheap.
Melamine sponges to the rescue! 🧽 Yep, those things you use to clean the kitchen. Careful not to rub them on our teeth!
All you need to do is carefully rub the tire's surface with a melamine sponge.
Veeeeeerry carefullyyyyyyyyy...
Surprise! No more shiny tires! Just a nice, soft, rubbery matte finish. 😲✨
Just a little detail like this makes a huge difference in how real the whole thing feels. And it was so easy too!
🖊️ Step 2: How permanent markers and erasers can pimp your ride (don't be afraid to mess up, either)
Let's put a "smile" on that face. Without shadows in the gaps between the doors and hood (panel lines), the entire thing just feels a bit flat.
The magic trick here couldn't be more mundane: markers and erasers.
First, draw a line along the panel lines. Don't worry about coloring outside the line, either. In fact, feel free to go crazy!
Once the ink dries, it's the eraser's time to shine -- literally. Rub it across the lines, and...
The ink outside the lines is gone, but it's still inside the panel lines!
This is called sumi-ire ("inking"), and it instantly deepens the contours of your model. Now that's a handsome-looking vehicle! 😎
Before erasing
After erasing
If the areas where you used the eraser look a little dull, try rubbing them with a dry tissue. They'll shine like new in no time. ✨
It's nice to know that even if you mess up, you can just erase the mistake, huh?
✨ All done! It's a paintless R34 GT-R!
Tires: matte. Shadows: inked. GT-R: finished!
Look at how it sparkles! ✨🚗✨
Matte tires and contoured lines really make this car stand out, huh?
Can you believe how PRO this looks compared to when we'd just snapped it together? And all it took was a little bit of rubbing and inking!
Before
After
Because I customized it myself, it really feels like it's mine. It's not just a model kit I got at the store. It's something I put real effort into, with my own two hands. This is the whole point of model kits! 😍
🏁 Use your weekend to build a cool car for your desk!
So, what do you think? Model kits don't have to be hard. With the right kit, you don't need any special tools or skills. Just a little curiosity, some basic writing supplies, and an Aoshima Rakupla kit, and you're good to go!
Put down your phone and make something with your hands! The sense of accomplishment is truly a reward unlike any other! 🎁
First step: browse the kits available on viviON Blue! The R34 comes in more colors than just Bayside Blue, you know. There's also Athlete Silver, Black Pearl, and White Pearl, too.
Not an R34 enjoyer? We've got a stacked lineup of cars like the Lamborghini Aventador S, Toyota GR Supra, and Subaru Sambar minitruck!
Your desk is just begging for a cool car! 🚗💨
Finally...
Which car do you want to make next? Let us know on social media, and tag us with your best shots via #viviONBLUE hashtag. See you on the track!