Paint Mask Thread.

[Big Mike]

I was hoping there'd be some tech stuff in this thread (not that looking at all these graphic creations isn't entertaining, you guys are coming up with some cool stuff) every time I try to mask off stuff on a body the paint gets under it somewhere and ruins it.

What are your favorite masking tapes? Last time I tried a green 3M tape specifically designed for masking, and the paint bled under it too. Do you have to have tape that is formulated to withstand the lexan paint or something?

What's up with liquid mask? Is it as messy as it sounds?

[Toast]

Ok, I use a product called Oramask 810 by Oracle. It is a light gray low tack masking film I get from my friendly local signwriter. Even thow it is low tack it seems to stick to the lexan really well, almost like static cling, and so far I havent had and bleeds. It is very stretchy so will go over little bumps and round 3d curves brilliantly. It cuts well and weeds easily. I recon its the best you can get as it just works. I hate paper based masking as it bleeds and shrinks under heat (I alwasy use a hot air gun to heat my bodys and paint before and during painting - never had and one chip). 810 is also very thin so you dont get that huge lip between colours youu get with paper masking.

[Double J]

Paint Scheme U.
?

[CrawlerGraphics]

There's literally thousands of masks here. Any can be used for a mask...
Have fun...

http://www.signspecialist.com/stripes/flames/index.html

[TxCruzr]

Had to bring this thread up, too good to let it slip away.

Using the following designs from Double J, I did my first paint job with actual graphics

This...


Plus This....


Gave me this....






I did have a little bleeding around the windshield from the mask starting to wrinkle up after I started spraying. I guess I just didn't get it stuck on good enough. The mask for the skull had just a little bit of bleeding but it came out sweet once I sprayed the gunmetal behind it. Gave it a nice shadow on the edges.
The paint is a metallic red and a metallic gunmetal gray so it really shines in the sun.

[TheHeadHunter]

what software is best for making these?

[TxCruzr]

A program to make the graphic designs or to print them out and make masks?
Depending on the design you want to make, you could probably use anything from as basic as paint or use something advanced as adobe photoshop if you know how to use it.

For printing/applying the graphics, I got a sheet of parma vinyl mask and printed out the designs on a normal inkjet printer on plain paper. Then just roughly cut it out and used a glue stick to glue it to the mask. Take your time cutting it out now and then apply it to the cleaned body.
Could have probably just printed the graphics straight onto the mask, one side is the vinyl which the ink might not like but the paper backing would probably work as long as the printer doesn't try to eat it.

[TheHeadHunter]

Originally Posted by TxCruzr

A program to make the graphic designs or to print them out and make masks?
Depending on the design you want to make, you could probably use anything from as basic as paint or use something advanced as adobe photoshop if you know how to use it.

For printing/applying the graphics, I got a sheet of parma vinyl mask and printed out the designs on a normal inkjet printer on plain paper. Then just roughly cut it out and used a glue stick to glue it to the mask. Take your time cutting it out now and then apply it to the cleaned body.
Could have probably just printed the graphics straight onto the mask, one side is the vinyl which the ink might not like but the paper backing would probably work as long as the printer doesn't try to eat it.

thanks !

[TheHeadHunter]

Originally Posted by Double J

another.
simple 2 tone kinda thing.


Example on an F-150. Excuse the crappy paint, it's all I had.

what can I do something like this on software wise ?>I will be sweet for just the decal design software but something like this where I can draw the body shape and try different color schemes is really what I am after ...I should have made my question clearer...

[Double J]

TXCRUZR - that came out looke really good. Nice job.


You can get the truck/car images from rcuniverse (sorry now link) a guy did a bunch of them for use. Check the paint section..

Then for the different colors you can just use paint or whatever you have available.

I'll try to find the link to the bodies.
Jj

[Double J]

Allright I found some of the body templates.

a few sites.
This one will take you forever to find what you're looking for but if you've got the time have at it.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2859508/anchors_2859508/mpage_1/key_body%252Ctemplate/anchor/tm.htm#2859508

These two are basically the same thing. Good body templates also.
http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/showthread.php?t=203503

http://rctech.net/forum/showthread.php?t=60219&page=1&pp=40


I may try my hand at making a couple of the newer bodies that came out, to try my hand at it.

[Double J]

I thought this would be a cool paint scheme.
from Grizzly chewing tabaco.

[Knoc]

Originally Posted by Big Mike

I was hoping there'd be some tech stuff in this thread (not that looking at all these graphic creations isn't entertaining, you guys are coming up with some cool stuff) every time I try to mask off stuff on a body the paint gets under it somewhere and ruins it.

What are your favorite masking tapes? Last time I tried a green 3M tape specifically designed for masking, and the paint bled under it too. Do you have to have tape that is formulated to withstand the lexan paint or something?

What's up with liquid mask? Is it as messy as it sounds?

A trick I use when using masks is to warm them up with the blow drier. This warms up the adheasive and makes them stick alot better.
Also when using masks, Ive found out that its best to go thin coats around the mask area. Let the thin parts dry then do another layer. Gets alot less bleeding that way.
As far as tape, I like to use the blue 3M painters tape. The green stuff also works well (Autobody tape) but doesnt seem to stick as well as the blue stuff. Vinyl also works well if ya have access to it. Alot of vinyl shops are more than willing to give away there scrap pieces that are to small to cut on, but perfect for rc. (At least I like to give mine away.. Clears my clutter..lol)
Liquid mask is awesome stuff. Trick is to put multiple thin even coats. I usually put a good 3-4 coats on my bodies. When there isnt enough liquid mask applied, its a real pain in the ass to get off.

Hope these tips help ya a little bit.

[Double J]

[TheHeadHunter]

Originally Posted by Double J

Allright I found some of the body templates.

a few sites.
This one will take you forever to find what you're looking for but if you've got the time have at it.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2859508/anchors_2859508/mpage_1/key_body%252Ctemplate/anchor/tm.htm#2859508

These two are basically the same thing. Good body templates also.
http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/showthread.php?t=203503

http://rctech.net/forum/showthread.php?t=60219&page=1&pp=40


I may try my hand at making a couple of the newer bodies that came out, to try my hand at it.

thanks Double J now I gotta find a baja bug on there!

[Double J]

I found and posted the Baja beetle template. Check the body template thread I started.

[Shaggy5050]

Anyone have any of the masks done in a vector graphic file?
My wife scrapbooks and she has software for her "Cricut" that will take vector graphics.
The Cricut is basically a little plotter with a blade. Great for Cutting masks and such

[bodywerx]

Shaggy, will the cutter cut vinyl ?

[Shaggy5050]

Pretty sure it will.
I've cut vinyl sticker paper. (if thats what you call it) that my wife had.
The blade speed and pressure can be adjusted.
A 3rd party came out with software that will run the cutter from the computer and allow any True Type fonts, including wing dings and vector graphics. You can also use the software to "weld" together letters

[bodywerx]

BETTER THAN A 2,000.00 CUTTER LIKE MINE!