Install windows in before or after painting?

seral1969 · Post by **seral1969** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 4:53 pm

Hi,

I am sort of new to modeling.
I am currently thinking about building my Monogram Voyager kit.

But, I cannot figure out how to install the windows without getting paint on them during the painting process.

Any help?

mech · Post by **mech** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 4:59 pm

It depends, do you prefer to paint then assemble? No paint on the windows that way, but the paint job may suffer damage when glueing etc to assemble it.

If you assemble everything then paint, try some liquid masking...um...liquid.

I grabbed a bottle at the LHS and it seems to work ok.

HTH.

j

naoto · Post by **naoto** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 5:55 pm

Are you sure really want to install Windows? Wouldn't you have less headaches by installing Linux instead?

Mr. Badwrench · Post by **Mr. Badwrench** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 6:05 pm

Install the windows first, then mask them off before painting. There are a lot of options for masking. Liquid mask, as jsnmech mentioned, available at the hobby shop. Tamiya masking tape is really good, and pretty cheap. If you can't find these at the hobby shop, try using 3M blue painter's tape, at K-Mart or Wal-Mart.

CaptainHawk1 · Post by **CaptainHawk1** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:33 am

I've personally found out that a high quality electrical tape (About $3-$4 a roll) is very effective. Don't get the cheap stuff because the adhesive comes off and then good luck getting it off of the plastic. What I recommend is getting it in different colors so you can tell when to stop masking. Wth that Voyager kit you can paint the ship first before installing the windows, you just have to do it in sections.

-Shawn

CaptainHawk1 · Post by **CaptainHawk1** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:33 am

double post

TimeScape · Post by **TimeScape** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:06 pm

I also used Bare Metal Foil. A little more expensive but great results. Only problem is removal. However, I stumbled upon a solution using balled masking tape to lift a corner then tweezers to remove the foil. But you need to wait until the paint is cured for this technique as the tape sometimes lifts uncured paint.

seral1969 · Post by **seral1969** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:42 pm

Could I apply the masking liquid to an area of the window that will be exposed, and then glue the window in?

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Mr. Badwrench · Post by **Mr. Badwrench** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 5:48 pm

You could probably do that, but it might be more trouble than it's worth. If you trap any masking at all into the glue join, it will equal a world of hurt.