Masking interiors for paint?

[tigeraid]

To borrow a pic from another AFer's product:



How was it done? So far the only interiors that I've managed to do with spray are single colors, but how do you mask it properly to do a job like this? This is definitely somewhere I need to improve... it seems like it's too small and has too many little niches to fit the tape into?

[freakmech]

Tamiya masking tape, toothpicks, and new xacto blades.

[tigeraid]

Damn... guess I'll have to try. Looks insane

[willimo]

WAIT!

The biggest trick to this is something no one mentions. And I don't know if it's because I am the only person that does it this way, or if because no one says anything about it for some bizarre reason.

Anyhow, the biggest trick to this whole ordeal is as follows (and, I use this trick for window trim, rub strips, any fine masking I have to do): Cut your masking tape into strips 1mm or 2mm wide. These tiny strips will conform to all sorts of curves and undulations and will be way easier to manipulate than a whole strip of tape. After placing these thin strips, add a thicker strip overlapping the first, then a thicker one overlapping the second, until it is all masked off. The thin strips of tape are a boon!

[RallyRaider]

Yes I do as willimo says, the edge first them fill in with larger stuff. Pay special attention to crevices as the tape tends to lift and will allow paint underneath. You won't ever get the masking job perfect, a few touchups are generally required. But using matt paints and if the touchups are small, they will never be spotted. As with any masking job plan your colours too, lightest to darkest.

EDIT: And make sure you fill in those nasty ejector pin marks on the floor before masking and spraying. Sorry to whoever the model above belongs to, the paint job is perfect making the ejector pin marks stand out even more! I guess they will eventually be covered by flocking or felt?

[freakmech]

yeah thats what i was getting at Willimo...

Tamiya has 2mm that i start with then bigger pieces. Use a toothpick to burnish down the edge real good. Nice new blade to cut any excess tape away.

[D_LaMz]

liquid mask but its way too hard.

[tigeraid]

Understood.

[klutz_100]

BMF is AWSOME for masking! Sounds more expensive than it really is because actually you don't use that much of it.

I use it to mask along the edges and around fine details rather as Willimo suggests and then fill up remaining areas with masking tape. It is particularly effective on 2 tone seats. It just DOESN'T bleed and doesnt leave a huge edge because it is so thin.

Also I have just discovered the joys of Maskol on large areas where precision is not an issue - just slap it on there and it peels off beautifully afterwards. It resisits Alclad so I suppose it will resisit any paint.

Try it just once and I think you'll see what I mean

Hope my 2cents help

EDIT: I don't know whose interior you showed, but I'll bet 10-to-one that the floor was later flocked and that's why they didn't worry about the ejector marks

[Ferrari TR]

Most of this has been covered...


Your can see in this shot that there was a little touchup needed.

[winstona]

I am still new to this hobby but this is something I have done correctly in the past few builds...

When "panel lines" are available between the two different colored parts, it is better that you have the entire piece covered with tape. Then, use a toothpick to go along the "panel lines" (to increase the depth of the line for better guidance when using the knife). After that, cut and remove the parts that you want the paint to be on. This is exactly like doing window frames.

When the "panel lines" are not available, you have to use the overlapping tape method mentioned earlier.

Here's a pic that shows the result of the above process. Notice that the imperfection on the right seat is not a result of poor masking. It is a result of an accident after spaying dullcote.



Winston

[D_LaMz]

Just take tape and use a toothe pick to really get it sealed, then use a sharp knife and cut where you want to mask.

here are my results: its good to have an airbrush!

[pettercardoso]

Yep, masking tape burnished with toothpick and cut with a new blade works wonders!:

[Ic3d An63L]

i think this thread can be a good how to...just a suggestion.

[tigeraid]

I too would love to see a step by step with pics