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 Posted - December 24 2010 : 01:19:40 AM
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For those of you who have done custom painting, what have you used to mask off sections of your car/engine (masking tape, scotch tape, paper, etc..)? I'm painting on some thin stripes, and would like to avoid any paint bleeding through the mask. The surface of the car is relatively smooth. Thanks in advance!
cheez
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Posted - December 24 2010 : 07:56:40 AM
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Hi ya, Cheez!
Having been through the same sort of thing with US1 trucks, I've settled on suing this stuff. It is the same stuff used to mask cars for flames, scallops, or other custom graphics.
3M blue tape doesn't have strong enough adhesive to get crisp edges without bleed through.
Just make sure you work the edges and avoid having any areas where the tape isn't fully adhered to the contours of the plastic- having fingernails comes in handy to force the tape into position. Otherwise, the paint will work itself under the tape following air gaps or any place not fully seated.
Here's an example of a two-tone using 3M masking-
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farace
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Posted - December 24 2010 : 12:00:48 PM
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A tip I read recently that I haven't had a chance to try myself yet is to put down the tape, and then before spraying the next color, spray a light coat of either clear or the color you're covering. This way any paint that creeps under the edge of the tape will be invisible.
I tried the Microscale liquid masking film once and it didn't work for me. I couldn't cut an edge and peel it cleanly off. Probably didn't help that part of it was over the screens on a diesel body. I'll have to give it another try on a smoother surface.
I've heard/read good things about thin foil masking, but it seems kind of pricey. I'm going to need something good and precise because I need to paint a New Haven loco in a McGinnis scheme with all the geometric lines.
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Posted - December 24 2010 : 1:11:52 PM
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I've done a lot of expensive paint work on cars & custom mini trucks etc, and i have found the green 3M tape to provide the best results. It's a little costly at $3+ a roll but it will get the job done right the first time....
Walt
Luck, usually comes dressed in work clothes...
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Posted - December 24 2010 : 4:09:37 PM
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The only complex striping I've masked are my various Saint Canard Midland locos and cabeese, and my "catfish" Chessie Shark I painted. Plus a Canadiana shark I restored (and sent to you IIRC?)
In all cases I used plain ol' masking tape... some of the thin "professional" stuff, and sometimes blue / beige... and I've never been disappointed in the outcome. The cautions about burnishing down onto details, etc are prescient: an etxra investment of prep time will pay HUGE dividends in the end.
Another important trick to avoid bleedthrough is to pay attention to your spray angle. Try to spray at a direct 90 degrees to the surface. At the very least, don't spray toward/into/under the edge of the mask, as this would essentially force the paint under the tape with spray pressure. You'd be surprised at what you can get away with - even in tricky masking areas - when you use a skillful spray technique.
When removing the tape, pull and peel the tape back over itself along the mask edge... don't lift it straight up. The only thing worse than masking, etc is having to do both colors all over again.
Of course some bleedthrough will happen from time to time. I've had good luck cleaning up "oops" spots with toothpicks dipped in alcohol, and/or the back edges of xacto blades. Use a light touch to gently scrape away the excess without digging into the undercoat.
Hope that helps...
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Posted - December 25 2010 : 1:07:04 PM
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The green 3M tape eh? I guess I'll check out the hardware store tomorrow and see what there is Maybe I'll get some of the thin professional stuff too just for comparison.
GIC: I shall watch my spray angle...that makes a lot of sense, but still seems like something I wouldn't have thought of O_o BTW, the shark is here, yes :D It's chillin under the layout ATM with my other Tycos until I get the shelves back up.
Thanks for all the advice. Merry Christmas!
cheez
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Posted - December 26 2010 : 01:58:47 AM
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Cheez, The green 3M tape seems to be the choice of any serious custon auto-truck & bike painter. A tip to remember is not to lay the roll down on any surface that may not be 100% clean. The sides of the tape roll have enough stick to pick up any dust, hair or foreign particals on the edges. The smallest dirt on the tape edge can allow and imperfect paint line. This is kinda extreme measures but with the cost of paint & labor for auto-bike customizing, a perfect separation is a must...
Walt
Luck, usually comes dressed in work clothes...
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Pierce
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Posted - December 26 2010 : 12:52:06 PM
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I have experimented with a few differnent masking ideas from masking tape to scotch tape even tried the goop stuff and always fall back on scotch tape for trains. Scotch tape will not bleed threw and when you apply it correctly it gives the nicest edge. I use a xacto knife to get the edges perfectly seated and and the only priblem I have seen is with door hinges on locomotives it wont let the tape seat but I cut out around them to get a crisp edge and then tape over top. Like everyone else says if you take your time it will come out perfect, I have spent over an hour masking for one color.
Adam
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Posted - December 26 2010 : 5:24:24 PM
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| I picked up a roll of green Scotch 3M tape today. Tomorrow will be paint shopping and probably spraying the next colour, which means I'll get to test out the masking tape The base coat went on the first car very clean, so I'm hoping the masked section will go on without a hitch.
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Posted - February 02 2011 : 2:34:49 PM
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| I got a masking tip. One thing I've picked up from aircraft modeling is to not use the factory edge of the tape. This edge is always laying against surfaces and picks up all types of debris. What I do is cut a strip of tape and place it on a clean sheet of glass (such as picture glass). Taking a sharp X-acto blade and a metal straight edge, I cut the strips of tape. This avoids the edge debris, and gives you sharp straight edges.
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Posted - February 02 2011 : 3:58:15 PM
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Yeah Steve, I mentioned that a few comments back. I beLIEve that is why some masking tape has the plastic coating over it when new... What happens to the tape once pulled from the sleeve is up to the buyer...
Walt
Luck, usually comes dressed in work clothes...
Edited by - walt on February 02 2011 4:00:29 PM
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