What’s the best type of tape to use (painters’ tape, scotch tape,etc.) to mask or cover one part of my model while painting a different area? I’ve been using Scotch painters’ tape from Lowe’s, but I still get a little bit of seepage under the edge of the tape. I do all of my painting by brush(as opposed to airbrushing), because this is my personal preference; maybe I’m just trying to put on too thick a coat of paint?
Most likely,you are indeed trying to put a too heavy coat of paint at once so that,taking more time to dry,it does have a better chance of leaking under your tape.You could go with lighter coats of paint,that would probably help.
The quality of the tape you use may also be a cause.I suggest you use good quality masking tape(3M makes good ones).You can get them in different widths,as little as 1/8th.in.,and when used on a clean surface will stick well and are also easy to remove.Sometimes the tape doesn’t really stick very well around difficult contour shapes so pressing along its edge with a toothpick will insure you of a good seal.
get the blue 3M painters tape, best there is
Let me offer two suggstions when masking.
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Be sure to burni***he edge of your tape. By burnishing I mean to use an old had drill bit or a burnishing tool to help seal the edges better.
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If you are doing a multi-tone paint scheme, paint the color you are masking over the masked edge(s) to seal them before painting the next color.
I’ve had great results doing this with regular painter’s tape with the brand you are using!
Try an automotive paint supplier for tape used for masking things like auto pinstripes. One brand I’ve used successfully is 3M Fineline tape.
Most masking that I do is still with blue painter’s tape. If you use some balsa wood and gently burni***he edge of the tape you can eliminate nearly all of the fine wrinkles that allow paint to creep under the tape.
When you’re first applying the second color, try to spray away from the tape until you have a little paint thickness build up which will stop most bleed-through. Also, trying to spray paint that’s overly thin, or applying too much at once, can encourage capillary action along the tape. If you’re still having trouble after trying the above, you can spray an additional coat of the base color along the edges to seal around the tape before applying the second color.
Tamiya, the Military Model specialists, sell good quality masking tape in various thicknesses. It’s not cheap, but it’s crackin’ stuff.
I use a wooden toothpick to burni***he tape edges. it’s got a bit of springyness in it for raised details under the tape.
Happy painting
Jon
Thanks for the tips, especially about burnishing the tape edge. I think that will help quite a bit!