Matte, gloss or semi-gloss: how to top coat Gunpla
A top coat is a clear spray that protects your kit and changes its finish. It's the step that makes a straight build look finished.
Which finish to choose
- Matte (flat): removes the plastic shine, hides seams and stickers, and gives a scale-model look. The most popular choice.
- Semi-gloss: a soft sheen, good for a clean anime look without the toy shine.
- Gloss: a shiny, car-paint finish. Also used as a base layer under decals.
How to spray
- Finish everything else first. Panel lines, stickers and decals go on before the top coat.
- Take the kit apart into sub-assemblies and mount them on clips or skewers.
- Warm the can in lukewarm water for a few minutes and shake it well.
- Spray from about 20–30 cm in short passes, starting and ending off the part.
- Apply two or three light coats rather than one heavy one, with drying time between.
- Let it cure before reassembling, ideally overnight.
Common problems
White fogging is usually caused by humidity. Spray on a dry day. A rough, grainy finish means you sprayed too far away. Drips mean too much at once.
Always spray outdoors or in a well-ventilated area and wear a mask. Mask joints and moving parts if possible: coated joints can wear and leave marks.