Getting around hard paint edges when masking?

[Mistro]

Well I've been wondering if any of you have some tips on how to mask/paint without getting that hard edge on the paint where the mask was.

I realize that if i press the tape hard, there is a cleaner but harder edge whilst if I don't press hard, there is bleeding and it looks ugly.

Is there any workaround?

[mike@af]

Thinner coats of paint will avoid that. also thinner tape helps too.

[D_LaMz]

tamiya tape

[Asmenoth]

You can also use Bare Metal Foil...very thin.

[Mistro]

Ah thanks! I'll look into that tamiya tape since I've heard some nasty experiances with bmf.

I was simply using the painters tape found at your local hardware store until now. It workd pretty good since I was only using it mostly for the body and stuff. But I needed something for the hood since I was doing a little detailed design on it and I didn't want any sharp edges to show.

Thanks again!

[MPWR]

If you've been using painter's tape, you'll probably like tamiya tape alot. Tamiya tape tends to make painters tape look as useful for masking as duct tape.

[Okiemodelbuilder]

Another tip...if you don't build up the paint too heavy where you masked, clear coat and polish where the mask lines are and clear again. If you do this properly there will be no hard lines at all when you are finished.

Marc

[AstroRide44]

also try laying down ur base coat, then making off what u dont want painted again. spray another coat of the same color over the part that was painted. now spray your second color.

i find that by spraying over the tape in the same color again helps seal it.