DeToyz Journal Launch

 

Hi, I’m Chong.

Welcome to DeToyz Journal — a space I’ve long delayed opening.

Not because it’s unimportant, but because I wanted it to begin slowly.

I didn’t start this journal because I think I’m a great writer.

I started it because I often forget — why I began building these things in the first place.

I’ve been building models for a long time — Gunpla, Star Wars kits, sci-fi, car models, military kits… you name it.

But over time, I realized model building isn’t just a hobby — it’s how I interact with the world.

When life gets complicated, I reach for tools. When I lose direction, I open a kit box.

 

Back in 2019. Dusty desk, taped parts, and messy tools. I wasn’t even planning to take this photo — but now I’m glad I did.

 

I’ve always documented my process — through photos, handwritten notes, or posts on IG.

These records help me stay grounded — to see that I’m still creating something.

I’m not an expert. I often hit walls. But I enjoy that journey — from confusion to clarity, bit by bit.

Why Start a Journal?

 

Because the process is the heart of creation.

Most of my builds aren’t finished in one go.

Some get stuck halfway, others are rebuilt three times, or left for years before I return to them.

You could call that procrastination, but I prefer to think: some creations need time to ferment.

That’s why I started this journal.

Not to show off finished work, but to document the ups and downs of the creative process:

the inspiration, technical challenges, brush experiments, material choices, problem-solving, and the occasional happy accident.

I’ll try to be honest. No filters, no fancy wrapping.

This journal won’t update fast, and I’m not here to chase algorithms.

I want to write these entries as a slow, honest record — a gift to my future self. And if it helps you in some way too, that’s a bonus.

 

What You’ll Find Here

Right now, the Journal starts with two series:

• Falcon Rebuild Diary — a long-paused Star Wars project finally coming back to life.

 

• Color Field — my ongoing experiments with color and brushes.
The first post in this series — Color Field #01: The Silent Cold — explores five cool-toned colors often used in mechanical builds.

 

I know many of you follow me for Gunpla — and trust me, they’re still part of this journey.

This Journal just happens to start with the Falcon, but it’s not where it ends.

Whether it’s a Star Wars build, a Gunpla kit, or something in between,

I’m always exploring the craft — and figuring out what connects it all.

A quiet moment — soldering an SME-sized LED during a Gundam saber mod. It was really stress, the LED is super small and the hair-sized wire is very close to the arm. But when the light came on, it felt worth it.

 

Later on, you might also find:

• Modeling Notes & Reflections — not always tutorials, but lessons I collect along the way.

 

Some knowledge isn’t immediately useful — but it becomes long-term nourishment.

Hopefully, this journal becomes a quiet reference space for you too. Maybe even a spark for something new.

A Small Invitation

I know the internet moves fast — and I tend to move slow.

But if you’re willing to pause and read through these entries, I’m truly grateful.

I’ll write as honestly as I can, and I promise not to sound too poetic (I’m not good at that anyway, haha).

Not everyone in the modeling world is chasing perfection.

Some enjoy dissecting structure, some find joy in trying again after failure, some just want their hands to be still for a while.

This journal is for people like that — like you.

Feel free to stop by again — even if it’s just to scroll through the latest work-in-progress photos.

You can find me on IG [@detoyz], or leave a message to let me know what you’d like to see more of.

 

Next up…

In the next post, I’ll dive into the first technical challenge of the Falcon rebuild: the cockpit restoration.

Let’s just say… those fiber optics almost broke me.

If you’d like to follow the journey a little more closely,

you can also subscribe to my newsletter —

occasional updates on builds, color notes, and whatever else comes up at the workbench.

No spam. Just honest updates, in case you want to build alongside.

 

— Chong

DeToyz Journal · May 2025