Reading the Instructions
Get Google Translate on your phone and use it often. I keep my phone next to me while I build.
There are standard symbols used in every instruction booklet. With the help of Google Translate you'll quickly get used to them. There are also nice references out there like this.
If in doubt, snap a pic and ask a gunpla friend!
Making Sense of the Instructions and Knowing What to Do Next
There can be a lot going on in the instructions. Look over all of it first. Use Google Translate. Read through the individual steps before cutting out any pieces. Pay close attention to the sequence of assembly.
If you're like me, you'll build in unpredictable, irregular times, and it can take a bit of effort to remember where you were and what to do next. Some strategies: complete whole steps in a build session, leave a note on a sticky, mark your progress as you go (maybe take a picture at the end of a build session). Don't leave it up to chance that you'll remember, make a note. If you do have to pack-up halfway through a step, store the unassembled parts in a small envelope or wrap them up in a piece of paper. It is really easy to lose track of parts.
Cutting Out Parts
Keep the box, use it to store everything as you build. Plus, the box art is pretty nice.
At the start of every major part, the instructions will tell you which parts sheets you'll use. Pull those ones out and set the rest in the box.
Before cutting out a part, make sure you know what it will look like after clean-up. Check the instruction diagrams. Make sure you can tell the difference between the sheet supports and the part itself.
Cut out parts as you go, just the ones needed for the current step.
Some parts have little nubs that make it hard to tell where the support ends and the part begins (esp. in RG). The trickiest ones usually get a call-out symbol in the instructions. But sometimes (esp. when it's late at night) a small piece of the part will look like something to trim off. The only way to avoid that is to check the diagrams in the instructions.
After removing a part from the sheet, first use your cutters to trim off any leftovers of the support. Then use a blade to smooth it off.
Trimming off the supports is the key to getting perfect fit between parts. If things don't fit well, check for any support leftovers you might have missed. In rare cases, the plastic molding process might have been a little off and you'll have to trim the part itself to get things to fit. Triple check before you do, maybe even ask a friend, because it's hard to recover from cutting through a part.
Assembly
The model designers have designed the parts to look different from each other and avoid symmetries. In any given box of the instructions there will be only one way the parts should fit together. If in doubt about any of it, ask for help.
If you do assemble a piece incorrectly, you can wedge them apart again with a "part separtor" which is a plastic wedge. You can make your own by trimming the corner of an old plastic gift card. Hobby shops often have part separators for sale.
Minimum Tools
- side cutters (aka nippers, clippers, hobby cutters)
- X-Acto blade
- Tweezers (for stickers and tiny parts)
Other Tools
- Decal Tweezers (for water decals)
- Model Glue (for repairs and attaching tiny parts that could get knocked off)
Get to Know People at Your Local Hobby Store
Nothing is better than local support. The owners of local shops can help you recover from all sorts of tough mistakes in a build. They're also the best for knowing what to do next. Yes, you can sometimes save 10%-15% by buying from online-only retailers, but then you don't get that local connection.
Asking for Help
Don't be afraid to ask for help from your roommate, partner, friend, child, anyone. Just the trying to ask for help often helps you figure out what to do. And they might be glad that you're sharing your new project with them.
If you're stuck, take a picture and call up a gunpla friend. If you don't have a gunpla friend, send me a message on twitter, I'll try to help 😄.