How to Panel Line Gunpla: Markers, Washes and Pencils

Panel lining is the fastest way to make a Gunpla kit look finished. You darken the small grooves molded into the armor, and suddenly every plate, vent and seam reads clearly from across the room. No paint booth, no airbrush, no special skills.

This guide covers the three main methods (markers, washes and pencils), how to choose colors, step-by-step instructions for each, and how to fix mistakes.

What panel lining does

Real machines have panel gaps that catch shadow. A plastic kit has the same grooves, but in bright, single-color plastic they almost disappear. Panel lining fills those grooves with a darker color so the shadows show up, just like on the box art.

It works on every grade: Entry Grade, High Grade, Real Grade and Master Grade. Bigger kits have more lines, so it takes longer, but the technique is identical.

The three methods compared

Method 1: Panel lining with a Gundam Marker

Gundam Markers are made for Gunpla. The fine-tip panel line markers have a thin, hard tip that sits right in the groove.

What you need

• A fine-tip panel line marker in black, gray or brown. Browse Gundam Markers.
• A cotton swab or a soft eraser for cleanup.
• Optional: a Gundam Marker eraser pen for bigger mistakes.

Step by step

1. Panel line before you assemble, or after? Either works. Doing it on loose parts is easier to reach; doing it on assembled sections means you won't accidentally wipe off lines while snapping parts together. Many builders do each part right after cleaning its nubs.
2. Get the ink flowing. Touch the tip to a scrap piece of runner until the ink flows evenly.
3. Trace the groove. Hold the marker like a pencil and drag it along the line with light pressure. Let the groove guide the tip.
4. Clean the edges. Wait a few seconds, then wipe across the line (not along it) with a dry cotton swab or a plastic eraser. The ink stays in the groove and the surface comes clean.
5. Check and repeat. Look at the part under good light. Touch up gaps, then move on.

Tip: For shallow lines, a thick marker leaves a wide line that looks heavy. Go over it, then wipe more firmly so only the deepest part stays dark.

Method 2: Panel line wash

A wash is a thin, runny paint. You touch a loaded brush to a groove and capillary action pulls the paint along the line on its own. It's fast on big kits and gives a smoother, more natural look than a marker.

Step by step

1. Load a fine brush with a small amount of wash.
2. Touch the tip to the groove. Don't paint along it. Let the wash flow through the line by itself.
3. Let it set for a few minutes.
4. Wipe off the excess with a cotton swab or a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with the matching thinner. Wipe across the lines, not along them.

Safety note on washes

Enamel and oil-based washes carry thinners that can soak into plastic. On parts under stress (joints, tight-fitting pegs and polycaps) they can make plastic brittle and crack. Use a small amount, avoid flooding joints, and let parts dry fully before assembling them. Water-based or acrylic washes are gentler but harder to wipe clean.

Method 3: Mechanical pencil

A 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm mechanical pencil is an underrated trick for white and light gray parts. Drag the lead along the groove for a soft gray line, and erase any stray marks with a regular eraser. It smudges if you handle the part a lot, so seal it with a topcoat when you're done.

Choosing panel line colors

Pure black on white plastic can look harsh. Matching the line color to the plastic gives a more realistic finish.

• White and light gray parts: gray.
• Blue, dark gray and black parts: black.
• Red, orange and yellow parts: brown or a dark red-brown.
• Gold or metallic parts: brown or black, used sparingly.
• Very dark parts: try a lighter gray to make lines stand out.

If you want one marker set that covers soft lines on light colors plus easy weathering, the Gundam Marker Real Touch Marker Set includes five colors and a blending marker. Real Touch markers are water-based and blendable, so they're forgiving to learn on.

Fixing mistakes

• Ink outside the line: wipe across it with a cotton swab or eraser. For dried Gundam Marker ink, use the Gundam Marker eraser pen.
• Line too thick: wipe more firmly, or run the eraser pen along the edge.
• Wash pooled in a corner: touch a dry brush or swab to it to soak up the extra.
• Marker went on a sticker: wipe immediately and gently. Do panel lines before stickers when you can.

Seal it with a topcoat

Panel lines can smudge or wipe off with handling. A light topcoat spray (matte for a realistic, scale-model look; gloss for a shiny anime finish) locks the lines in, hides sanding marks and helps stickers blend in. Spray outside or in a well-ventilated space, in thin coats. Browse topcoats and paint in Paints.

Where panel lining fits in your build

Here's the order most builders follow on an HG:

1. Cut parts and clean nubs (tools guide).
2. Panel line each part.
3. Assemble.
4. Apply stickers or decals.
5. Topcoat (optional).

Where your markers ship from

Items marked In stock ship from our Fort Lauderdale shop in 1 business day. Imported items arrive in 3 to 4 weeks (4 to 5 weeks to Puerto Rico and outside the continental US). Economy shipping is free over $75 in the continental US, Standard is $10, and Florida residents pay $5.

FAQ

Is panel lining necessary?

No. Gunpla looks good straight out of the box. Panel lining is the easiest upgrade though, and most builders never go back once they try it.

What's the best panel liner for beginners?

A fine-tip Gundam Marker. It's clean, quick and forgiving, and mistakes wipe off.

Can I panel line without a marker?

Yes. A mechanical pencil works well on white parts, and a thinned wash works on any color.

Will panel line wash crack my Gunpla?

It can, if an enamel or oil wash soaks into parts under stress. Use small amounts, keep it out of joints and pegs, and let parts dry fully before assembly.

Do I panel line before or after stickers?

Before. Ink and thinner can lift or stain stickers.

Can I panel line a kit that's already built?

Yes. Markers and pencils work well on finished kits. Washes are trickier because they can run into joints, so use them sparingly.

Just getting started? Read New to Gunpla for your first build and our best first Gunpla kits for what to build.