Kundalini Shiva Miniature: Assembly and Painting Guide

Quick answer

Treat the Kundalini Shiva miniature as a multi-part resin kit: clean every contact point, dry-fit the arms and bike before gluing, prime in thin coats, and paint the figure in sub-assemblies so you can reach the inner arms and the motorcycle details.

Step-by-step assembly and painting process

1. Inspect and clean the resin parts: Wash the parts in lukewarm water with a drop of dish soap, scrub gently with a soft brush, and rinse. Remove mold release and dust before any glue or primer touches the surface. Common mistake: skipping the wash, which causes primer to bead and flake later. Let every part dry completely before moving on.
2. Remove flash and test-fit: Use a hobby knife and fine files to scrape away flash and seam lines. Dry-fit the arms to the torso and the rider to the bike without glue. Check that contact points meet cleanly and note any gap that will need filling. If a joint will not close without force, stop and file the contact point rather than forcing it.
3. Plan sub-assemblies: Decide which parts to paint separately: typically the torso, each arm, and the motorcycle. Keep the rider off the bike until the main colors are blocked in. Common mistake: gluing everything first, then discovering the inner arms are unreachable. Mount small parts on corks or temporary bases so you have a handle while painting.
4. Pin and glue the main joints: For load-bearing joints, drill a small hole in both sides and insert a short piece of paperclip or brass rod with super glue. Use only a tiny amount of glue so it does not squeeze out onto visible detail. Hold each joint until the glue sets. Test the bond gently before moving the part; a weak joint will fail during painting or play.
5. Fill gaps sparingly: Apply a small amount of epoxy putty or gap-filling super glue to visible seams, then smooth it with a silicone clay shaper before it cures. Common mistake: overfilling, which creates more sanding work and can obscure fine detail. Let the filler cure fully, then sand and re-check the seam under good light.
6. Prime in thin coats: Spray or airbrush a thin primer coat from multiple angles, keeping the can or airbrush moving. Aim for a smooth, even layer that does not obscure detail. Common mistake: spraying too close or too long, which pools primer in the crevices between arms and the fuel tank. If detail starts to soften, stop and let the coat dry before adding more.
7. Block in base colors on sub-assemblies: Paint the torso, arms, and bike separately with thinned base colors. Work from the deepest areas outward so you do not have to reach over finished surfaces. Common mistake: using paint straight from the pot, which clogs detail on small resin parts. Two thin coats usually beat one thick coat for even coverage.

About this miniature

• Kundalini Shiva: Kundalini Shiva is a motorcycle miniature designed for the Combat Zone, where bikes are agile and quick to turn. Plan your painting and assembly around a model that will see active tabletop use, so choose durable joins and a protective varnish.