Hello All:
The tank got a bath.
Everything was going just fine until I got to the masking part of the model.
The olive drab coat covered nicely. Then I masked off the stripes with masking
tape. OK so far. Then I painted over the olive coat with the U.S. Green. After
waiting for it to dry, I peeled away the tape...
DISASTER! I didn't pull off a piece of tape without striping off some
of the paint--primer and all--from the model. Not only that, but in
most cases the paint soaked through tape
What did I do wrong?
> At 11:12 PM 4/3/00 -0500, you wrote:
You probably didn't wait at least 48+ hours for the previous coat to dry
*thoroughly* - assuming that you are using acrylics of course . . .
> -MWS- wrote:
> You probably didn't wait at least 48+ hours for the previous coat to
Hmmmm... I didn't think it was going to take as long as that. I'm so used to
my paint jobs being done in a few hours.
Later,
> Everything was going just fine until I got to the masking part of the
Mark, you may want to use frisking material instead of taping. Frisking (if
I'm using the term properly) is using a film of sorts with cut outs to get the
paint to go down in patterns of your choosing.
Masking tape has rarely worked with my modeling as the edges tend to bleed
especially with the consistency of the paint one typically airbrushes with.
Another material to consider is something called MicroMask. It's a liquid you
brush on and let dry, cutting off portion where you want the paint to adhere.
Modelers use this item on airplane canopies to keep paint from the clear
portions of the model. This makes painting the struts easier (paint is very
hard to remove from clear plastic without damage and sealers cloud the clear
plastic if not masked off).
I hope this is of assistance to you.
> What did I do wrong?
Wrong isn't word I'd choose, but...
Try using "Removable" or "Drafting" type tape to mask. Art stores also sell
masking film, but IMO it's too expensive. These tapes have less "sticky."
Remove the tape slowly and relatively soon after painting (while the paint's
still wet). This helps prevent soak through. Be carefull not to let the edge
of the tape come in contact with the model as you remove it.
Let primer and undercoats dry for a good long time (I allow a day or so)
before adding masked areas. This lets the paint fully cure before you start
tugging at it with tape.
Hope this helps,
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