Collector guide
Garage kit painting brief: parts, assembly, and finish
Have an unpainted resin kit? Prepare part photos, assembly details, condition notes, and finish references before a painting assessment.
An unpainted garage kit starts with physical parts. Before a painting assessment, show what is in the box, what has been assembled, and what finish you want. A kit with parts already glued or painted needs a different preparation discussion from an untouched kit.
A kit, a print file, and a repaint are different starting points
| You have | Your brief should establish |
|---|---|
| Unpainted kit parts | Part inventory, condition, assembly status, and paint references |
| A digital sculpt | Model source, print suitability, intended dimensions, and production roles |
| An already painted figure | Existing finish, material if known, and the changes to preserve or replace |
For a digital file, use the model-readiness checklist. For an existing finish, use the repaint photo brief.
Photograph the entire kit before assembling it
- Lay out the supplied parts and photograph them together.
- Show the instructions, parts diagram, and packaging label if available.
- Photograph the face, hands, joints, and delicate accessories closely.
- Point out missing, damaged, warped, or previously repaired parts.
- State which parts are glued, pinned, primed, or already painted.
Keep all supplied parts and information together. Do not make irreversible assembly or surface changes just to prepare an inquiry; explain the current condition and let the studio assess the work.
Say whether assembly is part of the request
Painting a completed object and finishing separate parts are different jobs. Specify whether the request includes assembly, a base, seam cleanup, paintwork, or assessment of a problem. The studio confirms what it can accept before you ship the kit.
A manufacturer description can clarify what was sold. For example, VOLKS describes its Shantae product as a resin kit for assembly. That describes this particular product; it does not establish the contents, materials, or readiness of another kit.
Choose a finish with labeled references
Identify the pose and costume version, then separate paint references for the face, clothing, accessories, and base. Say which surfaces should read as matte, satin, metallic, or graphic. Use the paint-direction guide if a style label alone is not enough.
Keep the CFS scope focused: one agreed finish and a clean base. Missing-part reconstruction, a scenic base, lighting, or extensive modifications should go to the premium Luminary assessment.
Include assembled dimensions, not just the box size
Report the kit's documented assembled measurements and what they include. If the dimensions are unknown, say so. A packaging measurement cannot establish how the finished piece fits your shelf. Use the display planner once you have overall height, width, and depth.
A kit brief you can use
I have [kit name and source]. The parts are [unassembled / partly assembled / assembled]. Known issues are [condition or missing parts]. I want [assembly and finish scope] using [labeled paint references]. The documented assembled dimensions are [measurements and units, or unknown]. Delivery is to [country]. Can you assess the work before I ship anything?
Build a kit brief