I need to tape off the engine I am painting to do the Smokebox and Firebox. I am not sure what to use. I know there is a good tape out there that won’t tear off the old paint. I know this topic was up before but I can’t seem to find it.
Thanks
perhaps the blue 3M (i think) brand tape? i’ve used it in around the house type applications (trim work on walls around doors and windows) without tearing up the paint beneath it…
that works and thin line duct tape
Blue 3M tape is worth the cost. I have heard that draftsman tape works, but have not tried it because I like the blue tape.
I still had problem with paint leeching under the 3M blue. Anybody know about that Testors model stripe painting tape? Seems to be for fine model work.
I think the trick with the blue tape is to apply your paint in very thin coats that dry almost instantly. If the paint gets too wet it will creep under the tape. If it is not wet then it can’t creep.
I’ve also used plain old scotch tape, but sometimes it leaves adhesive behind on the model. This can be taken off by touching it to the adhesive on a new piece of tape and pulling it off again, but is kind of a pain. There is less creep with this kind of tape because it is more solid, though if you build up too thick a coat you can get a ridge on the separation line.
Thin coats are generally best no matter what kind of tape you use.
The 3M blue painters tape is good, but you might also go to an automotive paint store and look for the vinyl clean edge (green) striping tape. It comes in various widths. I used this tape when I did some custom paint work on my Dodge van. It allows you to bend it in tight curves and does not pull up the paint. It does not allow the paint to seep under the edge and when pulled up while the paint is still a little wet, leaves a very clean edge. This works best if spray painting.
Dave
I use a 2" green coloured painters tape. It works well in my applications, but I have never used it to shield locomotives for paining. Hardware stores sell it.
I’ve had good results using regular ol’ Scotch “freezer tape” (looks like masking tape) from the grocery store. Seems to seal good, doesn’t pull off the underlying paint or leave an adhesive residue.
Blue vinyl 3M edge or striping tape is what the automotive painters use. It comes in 1/4" or 1/8" widths is very flexible and seals well and usually doesn’t lift the underlying paint if that paint is applied properly. use regular blue or green paper or other tape to mask off the larger areas after the edge is established. Any tape will allow creaping if it is flooded with paint especially in our case where we are frequently taping an edge over underlying detail work, but if you apply light layers as the paint people recommend, you should be fine. Don’t leave the tape on for extended periods (days/weeks) especially the paper type as much of it gets a better and better bond over time. When removing the tape you should try to pull it back on itself, not straight up. If you put the paint on really thickly, you might want to just score the edge of the tape with a sharp knife to keep it all from peeling up. J.R.
when I paint I use a 1/16" wide painters tape that I get from my local Automotive paint supply house. It is a vinyl type of tape that has a good clean edge. when I apply it I burmi***he tabe to the surface with a hard probe. If I have to go over a rivet or some other type of protrusion I will use a pencil eraser to press down on it to conform the tape to it. If I think that I may still have some bleed under, I will coat the area with another coat of the base color to help seal the tape to the surface, then paint the color coat. Here is a link to a photo that I recently did where I used the above mentioned tape when I masked the color coar and got a good crisp edge with no bleed under.
http://www.dansresincasting.com/1776.htm
Dan Pikulski
www.DansResinCasting.com
I’ve tried 3M’s Automotive Refinishing Tape and it’s okay, but I prefer Tamiya masking tape. It’s pricey, but worth every penny. Trims nicely, just the right amount of tack, and flexible.
just use everyday ordinary masking tape
place it on a piece of glass
and with a strait edge use an exacto knife to get a clean edge
and with a dull screwdriver slide it down the edge and that will seal it tight
the tape going on the glass also reduces its grip and will not pull off the other painted surfaces
good luck and I hope this helps in some small way
K
Applly the tape of choice and burnish it carefully, then thin light coats of paint sprayed just ever so slightly away from the edge will take care of the creeping. Use a hairdryer on low between coats.
then you apply the masking tape to the vinyl… to hold the newspaper in place…
Tamina or Tamia, the names something like that, makes a good modeling masking tape, It’s pricy and kinda hard to find.