Intricate tape and masking lines for paint
 

I initially posted this under Paint and Body, but seems appropriate for Tools and Procedures threads as well.

I'm working on painting my '73 Proline Bronco body. I'm doing the flares in a different color than the body. The lines and curves of these are fairly tight and fine. I attempted to use narrow Tamiya masking tape (1/8"), but every time I tried to make the radius of the fender line it would crinkle up and not fully adhere to the body. Plus all those little wrinkles and crinkle lines are going to let that paint just bleed right under. No bueno.

I ended up going to my local auto parts store and picked up some vinyl pin striping tape. (also about 1/8") The vinyl tape easily allows you to make nice tight radius's and turns and remains flat with no wrinkling and crinkling. It also adheres really well to the lexan. So, my procedure was to do my outer most edge of the line with the vinyl tape to get a nice, clean and crisp line, then go back and do the broader masking with blue painters tape as per usual. I was also able to do up in the roof line and windshield line with this method since these areas were pretty tight as well. A roll of the pin stripe tape in this size was $2.59, so pretty good deal to boot!"thumbsup"

Re: Intricate tape and masking lines for paint
 

I generally use liquid mask for this stuff. I like the idea of the pin striping though.

Re: Intricate tape and masking lines for paint
 

Liquid mask works great if you have patience.

Re: Intricate tape and masking lines for paint
 

I prefer to use 3M fineline tape, then the Tamiya 6mm. But if I’m doing 3 or more colors I use the fineline and liquid mask.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ed8a6b0420.jpg


Hang up and Drive

Re: Intricate tape and masking lines for paint
 

I always cover the areas with tape and then draw on my design and use an Exacto knife to cut out the design. That way, I can peel away the tape, spray one color, layout the next lines,cut and repeat.

Re: Intricate tape and masking lines for paint
 

Spray it on, 4 even coats dry and ready in 6 hours

Re: Intricate tape and masking lines for paint
 

That's the easy part. Cutting it out with a knife is the tedious part.

Re: Intricate tape and masking lines for paint
 

I found a new #11 blade, not in a handle, but wrapped with tape for a grip, easy to spin and follow curves


Hang up and Drive

Re: Intricate tape and masking lines for paint
 

A great trick I learned in the 1:1 world if you are doing hardbody is to put on tape and spray with the original color you put tape over. Then spray the new color. This way if you get ANY bleed under tape it will be original color. Also if you let it dry totally the tape may lift some of the paint anyway. Remove tape while paint is still slightly wet, or cut at edge of tape with razor so it will be a nice clean edge. Caution cutting on lexan if you go into the body it will probably crack there eventually. Good luck.

Re: Intricate tape and masking lines for paint
 

We’ve always used a clear intercoat after taping. I use HOK S100


Hang up and Drive

Re: Intricate tape and masking lines for paint
 

Has anyone used knifless tape to make designs?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FknbgFrUALI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xUfikwcWA4

Re: Intricate tape and masking lines for paint
 

I have a vinyl plotter I use to cut whatever I want so I cheat a little.