Masking

StanG · 09-09-2008

I have found out some great tricks, such as using bare-metal foil to mask the canopy prior to painting.
What I wonder is how do you mask other 'bits' that are 'paint on paint'? Say you have a black headrest and interior green around it. It doesn't seem right to mask it and then cut around it with a scalpel as you would do when masking a canopy. And when the scale is 1:72 the head rest is so small. Trying to get a masking tape around it is pretty difficult. It's not just the headrest I'm thinking of, wheels etc.
How do you create the perfect lines?

**Bunkerbarge** · 09-09-2008

Sometimes you just have to rely on a steady hand. Or you could make life a bit easier for yourself and mask only one edge so that you can concentrate on painting a fine line up to another edge.

Masking is only one means of getting paint where you want it but don't forget the old fashioned techniques as well!

StanG · 09-09-2008

I thought that I might get this answer! At least now I know how you all do it so I don't have to be thinking I'm missing something.
I noticed that some models come with masking though. Like the beautiful Eduard models. I guess that makes modellers life a bit easier.

Captain Castus · 1 Day Ago

Hi,

Thought I might as well use this thread to ask another question on masking rather than starting a new one!

I'm new to airbrushing (only got one for Xmas) and was wondering what you guys use for masking off areas for painting camouflage?

I've seen you can get special model tape for masking... But is there a good sheet masking material that can be cut to shape as required? Something a bit broader?

Any advice and links to online shops gratefully received!

CC

tansed · 1 Day Ago

hiya captain welcome to the world of airbrushing im not long at it myself and you will get all the answers you need in the fourms.. you can buy frisket film at a art and hobby shop its sticky back and low self adhesive i use that for good ol straight lines or tamiya masking tape and for camoflauge i simply draw the patterns onto A4 printer paper (can take a while) ande use little blobs off blu tak to stick onto your model.. the problem i just have with frisket film is cutting out curves sometimes the scalpel just does not cut the curves the way you want , thats only with myself and my experiance but im sure the rest of the guys here could give you more advice.. hope this helps..

p.s. use tamiya masking tape not painters masking tape

shops i get my stuff from are models in motion and hannants which are fantastic

tag · 22 Hours Ago

Arrrr Captain be welcome my hearty (sry couldn't resist it)
'Blue Tack' is very useful plus its re-usable
I have heard warnings NOT!! to use Plasticine as it leaves a oily residue
Also have a look through here some useful info

Testor's Model Workshop

You tube will probably throw up some useful tips as well

stona · 15 Hours Ago

If you want a hard edged camo like WW2 RAF or Luftwaffe "splinter" schemes you can make paper masks from regular A4 paper. Once you are happy with the shapes wet them shake of the excess water and apply them to the aircraft. I usually blow off any extra water with the missus' hairdryer and then spray away.
Not sure how practicle this would be at 1/72 but it works at 1/48 and larger.
Steve

Captain Castus · 13 Hours Ago

Thanks for the tips guys! Should definately get me started...

My ambition is to paint a fractal camo like this eventually:

I haven't even got the first clue how to go about that!! First things first I guess!

CC

dhockey11 · 11 Hours Ago

ambitious. If you get that done let us know how. I would love to try my hand at that, but i better learn a bit more about airbrushing first.

Zack