problem with masking tape

Hi,

I am having problems with using masking tape. Paint seems to seep into the areas masked off.

Also, the masking tape seems to leave the gluey, sticky residue on the parts.

How can i prevent seeping of paint?

How do i get rid of the gluey residue and make sure that does not happen again.

What is the best brand of masking tape? I use those bought over the counter in a stationary shop.

Thank you all!

Hi,

For the paint problem, are you using an airbrush?

If yes, then the problem could be:

1. You are putting too much paint on the model. If you wet it too much, the paint seeps through. Try a few light coats instead of one wet coat.

2. You did not use a tooth pick to push along the edge to make sure that there are no openings along the side of the tape. This is a vital step to prepare the masked part for painting.

If you are using a paint brush, then the capillary action of the paint may seep through the tape if you are not careful...Therefore I usually use an airbrush if I can.

What masking tape do you have? Try use Tamiya's masking tape. I have been using it for a while and I do not have the same problem as yours. No residue at all.

Winston

I swear by 3m automotive tape. it is a green color.

always make sure that the paint you are masking over is completely cured.

clean the surface and make sure it is free from oils from your hand and any other foreign objects.

make sure the edges of the tape are pressed firmly down and seal.

finally, start by painting the base coat again. I'm assuming you are talking about masking off a body, spray the base coat first. this allows anything that might seep under to be the same color as what is masked off. and it effectively seals off the edges of the tape and doesn't allow any other seepage of the new color you are spraying.

I hope this helps

oh another thing. I've learned that pin-striping tape works quite well. it is flexible and prevents wrinkling of the tape around hard curves on large flat surfaces, say a two tone paint job on a body

Thanks for the tips.
im using paint from spray cans.
So now that the part is 'ruined'. How do I 'undo' the damage?

thanks again

Brake fluid...errr...? is'nt this where this is going?

haha

if all else fails, spray a mist coat of clear coat, let dry and spray the color. The clear acts like a sealant along the tape edge.

I'm bored at work so I took 2 mins to show how I'd paint paint w/ masking on a car, in this case, my favorite Camaro of the month. Pretend you were painting these black rally stripes and that the tan color is masking. Paint long-ways across the body while moving slowly towards the center of the body, and against the seam of the tape. Paint at this angle for the first 2 or so light mist coats. This will seal the seam and prevent bleeding under the tape. Good luck.

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/8669/paintedit6nh.th.jpg (http://img352.imageshack.us/my.php?image=paintedit6nh.jpg)

Use a quality tape (Tamiya and Nichiban make and excellent product) and spray light, mist coats to seal the masking tape edges. You can also lay down a coat of clear, let it dry and then put down the color coat. The clear will seep in and seal it from the top color, keeping it from migrating where it is supposed to be masked off...

hth,
Bill