Masking off large Models (area) can I use masking tape?

[beowulfthehunter]

One of my clients is having me paint a large Eldar army for him. He wants Sam Han which have large black racing stripes.
I plan to prime the models black and then mask off the areas, that will be stripped and then spray red, highlight, etc....Then Rip off the tape and call it a day.

My question is what is a good masking medium that will not rip up paint? I also plan to use this stuff on windshields that will be plastic.

 

[Ogrebane]

GO to a car detailer and get some pin stripping tape. Masking tape is too sticky and may rip off the paint. You may be able to buy the pinstripping tape or similar from a local car accessories dealer. Also I believe electrical tape may be suitable also.

 

[langen]

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/div/div3020.htm

This is the stuff you want....also helps paint the canopies.

You may need to brush on a sealant before you add the substance to a painted surface, I haven\'t tried that yet. I used this to mask off the canopies on the eldar vehicles so I could spray prime them and paint them without worry of fogging the plastic.

 

[DrEvilmonki]

something I have seen but not yet tried is a paint on mask that artists use on canvas paintings. It\'s like latex and just peels off the area, leaving the paint behind. Should be available at any good art stores.

 

[lahatiel]

If you want tape as opposed to a liquid mask, then definitely avoid masking tape -- what you\'re looking for is Parafilm which I\'ve gotten from MicroMark.

 

[hubbabubba]

I used masking tape on the canopies when I varnished a couple of falcons with no problems, but I\'d go with the masking fluid from WN or Rowney if you wanna mask off something you\'ve painted. (although if it\'s only black undercoat maybe you\'re not so fussed), only thing is you won\'t get those crisp straight lines you\'re after so easily with the fluid.
If you do use the tape, then really carefully run a new scaple blade down each edge before you remove it, this should prevent the red top coat from peeling away with the tape.

 

[airhead]

masking at this scale is a pain. the paint layers are so thin that it is easy to peal off the layer on the tape.

Couple of things to try:
Electrical tape works pretty good, I\'ve used it to airbrush on helmates with. It is a bit streatchy and can be made to take a slight curve.

Pinstriper\'s tape - that is not the pinstripe like you find at wally world in the automotive section, but the masking tape that amature pinstripers use. (pros use dagger brushes and do it freehand). It come in various widths and will take a pretty good curve. 1/8\" & 1/4\" are pretty good starters. Been a long time since I bought a roll, but 3M used to be the only one worth getting.

Vinyl transfer tape is now the tape of choice for most automotive applications. You get it from vinyl sign shops (where they cut the vinyl lettering for businesses and such). Transfer tape is the tape they put on top of the cut vinyl and peel it away from the backing. Apply the whole thing to the glass, then peel the transfer tape off. Comes in widths up to 15\" last I checked.

finally, if you are using black primer then it will probably stay put. If you are using black paint - I would count on having to touch it up as the paint is very apt to come up with the tape. If this is the case, you might try a light coat of DulCoat (well cured - like 24 hours) before you put on the tape.