Homegrown solutions for putting straight lines on greeblies?

badlandsghost · Post by **badlandsghost** » Sun May 20, 2007 12:46 pm

Short version is that I actually had a neat idea for the AMT tie interceptor I've been working on lately, but the stumbling block has become the paintjob. Specifically, it's going to have a design on the outer wing panels, thats going to have to cross over the center mounting area, so far, nothing in my arsenal (small though it be) has worked decently for getting straight lines over these detail heavy areas. (one wing is on its 4th stripping, and the other just got its second base coat

)
The only approach I have handy that I havent tried yet, mainly out of fear of screwing the kit up, is thin sheets of sculpey. I'm planning on trying tamya tape, next online order I make, but I'm not really sure it'll do that great either, so...
What other inventive ways have you folks found for masking complex/detailed surfaces?
(I just had an idea before making this post, anybody tried that press-n-seal saran wrap stuff? does it stick to styrene?)

Let the ideas flow,
Thanks
J

Jonas Calhoun · Post by **Jonas Calhoun** » Sun May 20, 2007 2:08 pm

I've had trouble with press 'n seal forming over lots of greeblies.

Tamiya tape is your best bet. Some might recommend Parafilm, but I've yet to be successful with it.

If the masking is to be somewhat irregular, Silly Putty is also pretty popular.

Dan

Slide · Post by **Slide** » Sun May 20, 2007 2:51 pm

what about that blue poster tack stuff? would that work? it's also cheap too!

Jonas Calhoun · Post by **Jonas Calhoun** » Sun May 20, 2007 3:31 pm

I'd think the blue-tack would take paint off.

Dan

Post by **TER-OR** » Sun May 20, 2007 7:00 pm

I've had Press-n-Seal tear paint off. It's much more dangerous than blue-tak. And it's fairly stiff, so may not conform to details.

But, better options are Silly Putty and Parafilm. If you're coming to Wfest I can show you how to use the Parafilm - or if Tom Grossman is teaching the class again, he's the Dood with the stuff.

Lt. Z0mBe · Post by **Lt. Z0mBe** » Sun May 20, 2007 8:56 pm

I second Silly Putty. I have used it several times. Armor guys use it over heavily detailed areas of tank exteriors.

I hope this helps.

Kenny

Mr. Badwrench · Post by **Mr. Badwrench** » Tue May 22, 2007 3:58 am

I'll third Parafilm. And yeah, Tom is the Parafilm God.

Stu Pidasso · Post by **Stu Pidasso** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:24 pm

What about this stuff? I love it!

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:07 pm

Stu Pidasso wrote:What about this stuff? I love it!

Hate it. Never had good results. End up peeling leetle tiny shards off the model.

How about Silly Puddy & a sharp exacto? Mash it on then trim off. You just have to spray quickly as Silly Puddy will droop over time.

Stu Pidasso · Post by **Stu Pidasso** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 12:49 am

Kylwell wrote:
Stu Pidasso wrote:What about this stuff? I love it!
Hate it. Never had good results. End up peeling leetle tiny shards off the model.

Usually a pencil eraser will help that.

SpaceDuck · Post by **SpaceDuck** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:39 am

I only use 3M brand but it's the stuff you can get from a professional auto body/paint supplier. PN26334 is lime green and says Scotch brand inside the roll. It's kinda low tack (compared to others) but stays put without residue and it's flexible so just feed it into cracks and crevices and burnish the edge as you go. Silly Putty will leave a soft or hard edge depending on how thick a glob is in that area and Tamiya tape doesn't stretch enough to conform to small details while Parafilm doesn't stick well enough to stay put from my experience. But this stuff works. Besides the method of masking remember to paint perpendicular to your edge to avoid paint getting under whatever you use. Oh, cut the tape down to about 1/16th or 1/8 inch and that smaller size will help you put it where you want it. Then after the border is set, just backfill.

Good Luck