How to Build the Impez Barbatos Hercules-01 GK Kit: Complete Step-by-Step Assembly & Painting Guide
TakaraModel
Installation & Painting Tutorial
How to Build the Impez Barbatos Hercules-01 GK Kit: Step-by-Step Assembly & Painting Guide
Everything you need to know — from the initial wash to final assembly — to complete one of the most visually commanding MG Barbatos builds in the community.
Building the Impez Barbatos Hercules-01 is a serious commitment — this isn't a weekend snap-fit project. It's a full resin armor conversion over an MG frame, requiring careful prep, clean priming, disciplined painting, and patient assembly.
Done right, the result is one of the most visually commanding MG Barbatos builds in the community. This guide walks you through every stage.
🔧 What You Need Before You Start
Required Tools & Materials
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Side cutters (flush cutters) | Gate removal |
| Hobby knife / precision blade | Gate trimming, cleanup |
| Sandpaper (400 / 600 / 800 / 1000 grit) | Surface smoothing |
| Epoxy putty or Mr. Surfacer (filler type) | Micro-bubble filling |
| Resin-compatible spray primer | Paint adhesion base |
| Model paints (lacquer or acrylic) | Final color application |
| Cyanoacrylate (super glue) | Resin bonding |
| Warm water + mild dish soap | Initial resin wash |
⚠️ Required Base Kit: You'll also need the Bandai MG 1/100 ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos (Fourth Form) fully assembled (or at minimum, the inner frame built) before you begin armor fitting.
Step 1: Initial Wash — Remove Mold Release Agent
Why: Resin parts are coated in a release agent during casting that prevents paint adhesion. If you skip this step, paint will peel.
- Fill a container with warm water and a small amount of dish soap
- Submerge all resin parts and let soak for 15–20 minutes
- Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub each piece, paying attention to recessed details
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water
- Allow to fully dry before moving on (at least a few hours, ideally overnight)
Step 2: Gate Removal & Initial Cleanup
Why: Resin kits use gates (pour channels) to direct liquid resin into the mold. These must be removed and the surfaces made smooth.
- Use flush cutters to remove gates as close to the part surface as possible
- Follow with a hobby knife to carefully trim away any remaining nub
- Use 400-grit sandpaper to level the area flush with the surrounding surface
- Progress through 600 → 800 grit to smooth further
⚠️ Resin gates are thicker and denser than plastic kit runners — use quality cutters and take your time.
Step 3: Surface Inspection & Bubble Filling
Why: Resin casting produces occasional micro-bubbles — tiny voids in the surface that show up as small pits after painting.
- Inspect each part under good lighting, looking for pit marks or bubbles
- Mix epoxy putty and press into any voids (or use Mr. Surfacer 500 as a spot filler)
- Allow to fully cure
- Sand smooth with 600 grit, then step up through 800 → 1000 grit
- Re-inspect — some pits are only visible after the first round of sanding
Step 4: Dry Fitting
Why: Before any glue or primer goes on, verify that all parts fit correctly over the MG Barbatos frame.
- Build the MG Barbatos Fourth Form inner frame according to Bandai's instructions (don't glue anything permanently yet)
- Place each resin armor piece over its corresponding frame section
- Check for gaps, warping, or misalignment
- If parts are warped: briefly heat with hot water (60–70°C), reshape, and hold until cool
- Note any areas that will need gap filling after final assembly
Step 5: Priming
Why: Resin requires primer to accept paint adhesion. Skipping primer means paint will eventually flake or peel.
- Suspend parts using poster putty or wire so all surfaces are accessible
- Shake primer can thoroughly; spray in a well-ventilated area
- Apply light coats from approximately 25–30cm distance
- Allow to fully dry between coats
- After final primer coat, inspect once more for surface issues — primer reveals imperfections that bare resin hides
Recommended primer: Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500 (gray or white). Gray is the most versatile base for a wide range of top coat colors.
Step 6: Painting — Color Zones & Reference
The included full-color instruction booklet contains the official Impez color reference. Use this as your starting point.
Airbrushing Approach
- Start with the lightest color
- Mask completed areas before next color
- Work darkest last when possible
- Apply gradients from outer edges toward panel lines
Hand Brush Approach
- Apply base color in thin coats — patience over coverage
- Allow to dry fully between coats
- Use smaller brushes for detail areas
- A final clear coat will unify brush strokes
Community Color Inspiration
- ▸ Official reference scheme — booklet's suggested colors, battle-tested and high contrast
- ▸ Cyberpunk black & neon — all-over dark gray/black base with cyan or purple accent lights
- ▸ Mercenary weathered metal — steel/iron base tones with heavy weathering and chipping effects
- ▸ Crimson berserker — deep red primary with black secondary; channels the "war god" design philosophy
Step 7: Applying Water Slide Decals
- Apply to a gloss-coated surface (decals conform better to gloss than flat/matte)
- Cut each decal close to the printed edge with a sharp blade
- Soak in clean water for 10–15 seconds, until the decal slides freely
- Slide the decal onto its target location and position carefully
- Use Mr. Mark Softer or similar setting solution to help the decal conform to surface details
- After drying, apply a final flat or semi-gloss clear coat over all decals to seal and protect
Step 8: Final Assembly & Display
- Attach finished armor parts to the MG Barbatos frame section by section
- Use cyanoacrylate (CA glue) for permanent bonds between resin parts and the plastic frame
- Work from large structural pieces inward to smaller detail pieces
- Attach weapons and hand parts last — test multiple grip positions before committing
Display Tip: The heavy warhammer pose reads best with the weapon lowered or raised at a 45° angle — straight horizontal or vertical tends to look static. Experiment with weight distribution before gluing the display peg.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Prevention |
|---|---|
| Skipping the mold release wash | Always wash before priming |
| Cutting gates too fast | Use quality flush cutters, trim slowly |
| Skipping dry fitting | Always dry fit before final assembly |
| Painting directly on resin | Always prime first |
| Applying decals to a flat surface | Gloss coat the surface first |
| Forcing warped parts | Use hot water reshaping method |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to build the MG Barbatos before starting this kit?
You need the MG Barbatos Fourth Form at minimum assembled at the inner frame level before fitting the Hercules-01 armor. You don't need to fully complete the Bandai kit first, but the frame must be structurally complete so you can test-fit the resin conversion parts accurately.
Q: What's the best glue for attaching resin to plastic?
Cyanoacrylate (super glue / CA glue) is the standard for resin-to-plastic bonds. Use thin CA for strong bonds on clean, flat surfaces. Avoid plastic model cement — it works by melting plastic and has no effect on resin.
Q: How do I fix a resin piece that broke during prep?
For clean breaks: apply thin CA glue to both surfaces, press together, and hold for 30–60 seconds. For complex breaks or thin parts: use UV-cure resin for a stronger bond that allows repositioning before curing.
Q: The included cutting mat — should I actually cut on it?
The Hercules-01 cutting mat is a collectible item printed with the kit's line art. Most builders choose to use a separate working cutting mat and keep the Hercules-01 mat for display.
Q: What primer should I use for resin?
Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500 (gray or white) is widely used in the GK community. It provides strong adhesion to resin, fills minor surface imperfections, and gives excellent tooth for topcoat adhesion. Other resin-specific lacquer primers from Tamiya or Gaia Notes are also reliable.
Q: Can I weather this kit?
Absolutely — the heavy armor and cyberpunk aesthetic lend themselves well to weathering. Panel line washes with dark brown or black enamel, dry-brushing metal tones on edge highlights, and chipping effects on high-wear areas all enhance the "battle-used machine" character.
Q: How do I use the paint bottle included in the kit?
The honeycomb-design paint bottle is a practical storage accessory — you can use it to mix or store your custom-mixed colors during the painting process. It's not pre-filled with paint.
Shop the Impez Barbatos Hercules-01 GK Kit
This kit requires the Bandai MG 1/100 Barbatos Fourth Form as a base (sold separately). Masking tape also sold separately.