✨ Matte vs. Gloss: The Great Gunpla Finish Debate

If you've ever posted a finished build online, chances are someone commented: “Gloss looks cheap.” Or…“Matte is boring and hides all the detail.”

Welcome to the Gunpla Finish War. No mobile suit is safe.

🛠️ So… What Even Is a Finish?

After building a Gunpla kit, you can apply a topcoat—usually matte, gloss, or semi-gloss—to protect your paint, seal your decals, and give your build that final "anime shelf-ready" look.

But in the Gunpla world, it’s not just a matter of style. It’s a statement. And sometimes? A full-blown aesthetic duel.

⚔️ Team Matte – The Smooth Operators

Matte finish fans are everywhere, and they tend to be loud about it. Why?

✅ Pros:

• Makes plastic look more realistic

• Gives kits that “anime cel-shaded” or weathered look

• Hides seam lines, nubs, and imperfections better than gloss

• Great for military-style or weathered builds

“If I wanted a shiny robot, I’d buy a Transformer. Matte gives it soul.” — Every matte fan, ever.

✨ Team Gloss – The Flashy Finishers

Gloss fans don’t just topcoat their kits—they polish them like mobile suit show cars.

✅ Pros:

• Reflects light beautifully for photos

• Makes metallic paints pop

• Looks slick, futuristic, and high-end

• Perfect for Gundams that feel more mecha showpiece than battle-worn

“Gloss makes it look like a million Zenni. Matte makes it look like sandpaper.” — A salty gloss purist, probably.

😬 The Controversy

Blue Matte Gunpla

Custom Candy Coated Gunpla Barbatos Lupus

Why the drama? Because finish changes everything—from how light hits your kit to how your paint job reads at a glance.

Here’s why Gunpla builders argue:

• Matte hides mistakes. Gloss exposes them. Which is “better” depends on your skill level.

• Realism vs. Style. Matte gives gritty realism. Gloss turns your Gundam into a runway model.

• Cultural preference. Japanese modelers often favor gloss on showcase kits, while Western builders lean matte for a more grounded feel.

  
  

And let’s be real—some folks just can’t stand a shiny Gundam. Others think a dull finish ruins the whole point of a fancy mecha build.

🧠 So… Which Should You Use?

Honestly?

Whichever one makes you happy.

Want your build to look like it just walked out of a war-torn colony? Matte.Want it to look like it belongs in a museum exhibit or next to Char’s custom ride? Gloss.

Heck, try semi-gloss and make both sides mad.

Remember: Gunpla is freedom. Build what you want, how you want, and topcoat however your heart desires.

🧪 Pro Tip:

If you're curious, test both finishes on spare parts first. You’d be surprised how much a topcoat can transform the final look.

IF you loved reading this go ahead and take a gander at my other gunpla posts!

Gunpla Tools for Beginners

Gunpla Grades: Explained

Thanks for reading!

Tawney