Mr. Hobby Mr. Color GX 18ml – High-Gloss Lacquer Paint and Clear Coat

Mr. Hobby Mr. Color GX 18ml – High-Pigment Gloss Lacquer Paint Range

• Stronger Hiding Power – Bright primary colors fully cover gray primer or dark sprues in 1-2 thin coats where standard Mr. Color C-series often takes 3-4. Thinner total film keeps panel-line detail and surface features visible.
• Wet-Sandable Mirror Gloss – Lays down with strong gloss straight from the bottle. Under a clear coat, the cured film responds to 2000-grit wet sanding and polishing compound for the kind of polished finish associated with model car bodywork and contest builds.
• Toluene-Free Lacquer – Mr. Hobby reformulated the entire GX range to remove toluene while preserving the fast flash-off and durable cure that lacquer modelers rely on. A respirator and proper ventilation are still required, but meaningfully easier on lungs and workspace than older formulations.
• Brushable Without Spray Equipment – The higher pigment load produces cleaner hand-brushed results than the standard C-series. Two thin coats outperform one thick coat. Best results still come from spray application at 15-20 psi.

📝 Product Description

The Mr. Color GX series is Mr. Hobby's high-performance gloss lacquer line — a step above the standard Mr. Color C-series in pigment density, color saturation, and film durability. The range covers six saturated gloss base colors (GX1 through GX6) for primary paint work on Gunpla, scale aircraft, model cars, and figures.

The practical argument for GX over standard Mr. Color is coat count. Fewer coats to reach full color means thinner total film, which preserves fine surface detail and reduces the risk of paint obscuring panel lines, rivets, and raised lettering. The film itself cures harder than C-series — more resistant to fingerprint marks, masking-tape pull-up, and handling wear on articulated Gunpla joints.

🎯 Color Selection Guide

GX1 Cool White — The benchmark gloss white for scale modeling. Noticeably stronger coverage than Mr. Color C1 White over gray primer or dark plastic. Used as a finished color on aircraft, sports cars, and bright Gundam mech kits, or as a base layer where pure white opacity matters.

GX2 Ueno Black — Deep saturated gloss black, named after Tokyo's Ueno district. Particularly suited for model car body work where a deep reflective black matters, and as the foundation coat under metallic and candy paint jobs.

GX3 Hermann Red — Saturated automotive-style gloss red. The signature GX color for sports cars and racing liveries, also used for warning markings on military aircraft and Gundam Char-themed kits.

GX4 Chiara Yellow — Bright pure yellow that solves the opacity problem yellows traditionally have over dark base colors. GX4 reaches full coverage in 1-2 coats where standard C-series yellows often ghost after 3-4. Used for warning stripes, racing colors, construction equipment, and yellow-themed mech kits.

GX5 Susie Blue — Vivid mid-tone gloss blue. Sits between the lighter aircraft blues and the darker primary blues in the standard Mr. Color C-series. Common applications include model car bodies, Gundam mech kits, and any subject where a saturated, slightly cool blue is the target.

GX6 Morrie Green — Saturated mid-tone gloss green. Brighter than military olive greens and cleaner than the deep racing greens. Used for sports car bodies, Gundam Zaku-style kits, and any build where a vivid, modern-reading green is wanted.

💡 How to Use

For spray application of GX1-GX6, thin 1:1 to 1:2 with Mr. Color Leveling Thinner (T106 or T108) and spray at 15-20 psi. Apply 2-3 thin coats rather than one heavy coat — the higher pigment load means each coat covers more, but flooding the surface causes orange-peel texture. Allow 10-15 minutes between coats. Full cure for handling is typically 24 hours.

For brush application, thin closer to 1:1 with standard Mr. Color Thinner (T101 or T104). Two thin brushed coats produce a cleaner finish than one thick coat. Lacquer chemistry still lays down best with spray equipment, but GX's denser pigment makes hand-brushing more forgiving than the standard C-series.

For converting gloss to matte, mix Mr. Color Flat Base directly into the paint at 5-10% for semi-gloss, 10-20% for full matte. No separate top coat needed when blending this way.

Always work in a well-ventilated area with a respirator rated for organic vapors. Toluene-free does not mean fume-free. Spray booth or outdoor work strongly recommended.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mix GX colors with standard Mr. Color C-series?
Yes — both share the same lacquer chemistry and mix freely. Common practice is to use GX as the saturated base and add C-series for tonal shifts or pre-shading.

Why is yellow so hard to paint and how does GX4 fix it?
Yellow pigment is naturally less opaque at the molecular level and requires higher pigment loads to cover darker base colors. GX4 Chiara Yellow uses a denser formulation that reaches full coverage in 1-2 coats where standard yellows ghost after 3-4.

How long does an opened bottle last?
Properly capped and stored cool, years. When the paint thickens from solvent evaporation, add a few drops of Mr. Color Thinner and shake vigorously to restore working consistency.

📐 Specifications

• Brand: GSI Creos / Mr. Hobby
• Product Line: Mr. Color GX (high-pigment gloss lacquer, 18ml format)
• Formula: Solvent-based lacquer, toluene-free
• Volume: 18ml glass jar (per variant)
• Available Variants: GX1 Cool White, GX2 Ueno Black, GX3 Hermann Red, GX4 Chiara Yellow, GX5 Susie Blue, GX6 Morrie Green
• Compatible Paints: Mr. Color C-series, Mr. Crystal Color, Mr. Super Metallic, LASCIVUS, Mr. Metallic Color GX, Mr. Clear Color GX
• Compatible Thinners: Mr. Color Thinner (T101–T104), Mr. Color Leveling Thinner (T106/T108)
• Compatible Additives: Mr. Color Flat Base (C30/C188/C189)
• NOT Compatible With: Aqueous Hobby Color (water-based), Acrysion (water-based), Vallejo, Tamiya Acrylic
• Country of Origin: Japan
• Hazard Classification: Flammable lacquer. Use in well-ventilated area with respirator rated for organic vapors. Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flame.
• Best For: Gunpla, scale aircraft, model cars, AFV builds, figure painting, and any build requiring bright saturated color or polished gloss top coats