Masking zones for airbrush

[zombiesincorporated]

Do you have any tips for masking zones that should be protected. I\'ve tried a couple specialty items that didn\'t work but I think its time to give the old fashioned masking tape of painters\' masking tape a try. I\'m assuming the lower the tack the better as it is less likely to damage the completed parts. Any tips or particular products?

 

[DaN]

I BELIEVE there is a specialist tape on the market, but I don\'t know who makes or sells it.

 

[zombiesincorporated]

I BELIEVE there is a specialist tape on the market

There are many, but I have not found one that is meant to work on 3d surfaces and will stick to the smooth surface (relative to canvas or stock) of painted figs. Is this tape you refer to supposed to do that?

 

[TaurenMoo]

Keep in mind that the \"glue\" of the tape might take off any paint job underneath...

 

[zombiesincorporated]

I will. I believe the lower the tack the less likely it is to damage the completed parts. Still, any recommendations will help.

 

[custard]

I know nothing about airbrushing, but I have watched Bob \"happy trees\" Ross on TV now and again, and seen him use a painted on, rubber type of paint. (masking fluid maybe?)

No idea if it would work on minis. Maybe worth investigating?

*just had a quick look,
this type of thing.

 

[matty1001]

Winsor and Newton make a brush on mask off fluid. So do Vallejo Game Colour IIRC

 

[zombiesincorporated]

Hmm. The problem with liquid mask is it usually needs to be rubbed off or washed off which makes me nervous when applied over finished areas. Maybe there are some more forgiving masks out there though.

 

[matty1001]

Einion will probably know a good one, just wait until he\'s around.

 

[Sand Rat]

Frisket. Specifically designed for application over painted surfaces so you can airbrush.

 

[airhead]

things to try:

Frisket - designed for airbrushing on canvas, etc.

Blue painter\'s tape - low tack, not very flexible.

Elecrical (vinyl) tape - more tack, but can be streatched for compound curves.

Transfer tape (used by vinyl lettering people, but I have not been able to get any myself for testing) - lots of auto guys use this to mask as it comes in large (18\", 24\", 36\" rolls) But remember that auto paints have better adhesion than the latex paints we use.

I\'ve had no luck with W&N liqid mask. (gray fluid) - too hard to get the mask out/off of the mini.

 

[frenchkid]

I know Jeremie somtimes uses a kinda brush on purple rubber thingy to mask painted parts. Can\'t remember the name though. But I guess brush on masking liquide is the way to go, I can\'t really see tape working.

 

[matty1001]

How about just using blue tack?

 

[Sand Rat]

Depending on the surface you are painting you could try whats called a soft mask - hold a sheet of paper over what you are painting to block certain areas.

 

[zombiesincorporated]

Grafix White Mask Frisket specifically mentions using over dried watercolor so maybe that\'s the ticket . . .

 

[Dragon Forge Design]

Tamiya makes the best low tack masking tape for airbrushing models. Any good model shop should be able to get it for you.

Some military modelers use Silly putty to mask of things to.

 

[Sand Rat]

Well, you could always test it on some sprue or some plastic card.

 

[chrispasseno]

Silly Putty

 

[PegaZus]

I was reading on a sci-fi miniatures website earlier this week that one person was using regular white (pva) glue to mask off the areas. That might be a usable thing.

He was using the glue on the gray basecoat, then airbrushing yellow over it. Then it was just a simple matter of washing off the glue. Now, you could be a bit more delicate in the washing part, but it should work.

 

[Einion]

In addition to Tamiya tape, which is highly regarded among aircraft and auto modellers, I would highly recommend getting a bottle of latex masking fluid for masking complex shapes, irregular surfaces and compound curves; plus maybe also some Parafilm M.

Einion