Masking tips and tricks

[Tomy]

I'm about to paint my first body. I've been practicing on coke bottles trying different masking tapes. So far the results haven't been satisfactory. I've had a lot of bleed through and I'm not able to achieve sharp lines.

So how do you mask a narrow and sharp line around the windows for example? I haven't tried a liquid mask yet. Is that the way to go?

Thankful for tips, as I want to get at least a decent result.

[STANG KILLA SS]

MASKING tape is junk.
get your self a good quality vinyl or pinstripe. then youll have crisp clean paint breaks with 0 bleeding.

[Robbob]

yup skip the masking tape, if it doesnt bleed then youll have rough edges if not even paint build up around them.

personally i use Liquid Mask for years. a new x-acto blade, a steady hand and not much pressure it works out great.

[goldmember]

Won't you mark the lexan with the exacto blade cutting out the liquid mask?

[RockAddict75]

Try "FROG" masking tape. It is a new product sold in the paint dept. at Home Depot. Basically is the same as traditional blue mask, only the adhesive is 100% better. I use this tape on my bodies, IMO it works as well as vinyl at half the cost. Leaves sharp clean lines, easy to score/cut, easier to get into those tight spots.

[Tomy]

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

get your self a good quality vinyl or pinstripe

Sorry, but I'm not sure what you mean with vinyl. Any links to a web page?

Thanks!

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by goldmember

Won't you mark the lexan with the exacto blade cutting out the liquid mask?

not if you dont press hard, with a sharp blade you can cut the mask without knicking the lexan.

use to do nascar replicas in the oval days before vinyl printers came down in price, never had a fender fall off using a blade.

[goldmember]

Good to know thanks!

[MonsterAnt]

I use automotive green masking tape. It has a low stick to it and it leaves real clean lines and you can get it for like $2.50 a role they have wide and narrow works great

[vegaracer]

To mask a window off on the inside of the body, lay your masking tape on the opposite side window on the OUTSIDE of the body and run a pencil or ball point pen on the detail lines. Remove the tape, cut out the shape with scissors and stick it on the inside and burnish the edge well with the back of your fingernail.
On the subject of masking materials, if you use masking tape, use a high grade 3M product not a .25 cent a roll bargain tape. And some but not all sign vinyls can leave alot of adhesive residue. Good to test it first. Most sign shops throw away alot of vinyl scraps and would save some for you if you ask.

Steve

[Tomy]

Thanks for all the tips and tricks!

I finally started painting the body today. It's not finished yet, but so far I'm happy with how it looks. The design is very simple though, nothing like the artwork most people do here.

I tried book covering film as masking tape and it works great! I use it like a liquid mask. First I cover a bigger area, then I mark how I want to cut it, remove it and cut and put it back. Window masks are easy to do and so far no serious bleed throughs.

EDIT: And here it is. It's not perfect, but I'm satisfied with my first paint job ever.

[1rcmonster]

Nice looking very clean first paint job.....

I LIKE IT

[hyhflo]

not bad like the color combo

[RC Shocker]

Looks good for a first time paintjob. Now sticker it up just a little bit. But dont over do it. It will really "pop".

Good job

[pedemaster-rc]

looks good bro i like it

[MonsterAnt]

if you are using waterbase paints a good little trick you can do is if you have some small bleed throughs get you a toothpick and lightly wet it and scratch it off.