painters tape

[HeWhoKillz]

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for painters tape? I want to paint stripes on my plastic model car. Ill need something that isn't going to peal the body paint off the car after i paint it. and something that won't bleed through.

[JeremyJon]

Get Tamiya model masking tape instead, or for a slightly cheaper alternative, a local draft supply shop will have drafting low-tack tape, which is very similar to the Tamiya tape, comes in differing widths the same way also, rather than using painters (blue or green) masking tape, as it still uses the same "type" of adhesive as regular masking tape, just less-tack, and can also leave residue on painted surfaces potentially
The real key, is to get a tight & well adhered leading edge, as any nearly invisible lift of the edge will cause bleed on you, I use a small rounded wood popsicle stick to gentle run along the leading edge, back & forth until the tape is firmly pressed flat and in place
I like to use the Tamiya tape to form my masked edges with, and then I use regular masking tape to top of that (but not placed near the edge) to hold the masking paper on with

[sohchx]

I second the suggestion for Tamiya tape. If you can't find that ,pickup 3M brand scotch magic tape. The upside to using the 3M tape is that since it is frosted you can literally see if your edges are fully adhered to the surface. With Tamiya you can't really tell because it is yellow. Also the 3M is thinner than the Tamiya which doesn't allow as much paint build up against your edges. To prevent paint lift always remove your tape while the paint is still wet ,not tacky, or dry. Pulling while tacky may cause stringing of the paint from the surface, pulling dry will cause lift. Depending on how your surface is prepped you can sometimes get away with pulling tape while paint is dry but it truly isn't worth the risk.

[HeWhoKillz]

1. so how do you lift the tape without peeling the paint beneath?

[sohchx]

Originally Posted by HeWhoKillz

1. so how do you lift the tape without peeling the paint beneath?

Both brands of tape adhere well but are not strong enough to lift your paint, if they do it means your surface wasn't properly prepped before painting.

[HeWhoKillz]

Originally Posted by sohchx

Both brands of tape adhere well but are not strong enough to lift your paint, if they do it means your surface wasn't properly prepped before painting.

what would you do to properly prep it? primer?

[sohchx]

Yes, Primer is essential and will give the paint something to hold onto. Have you been laying your base coat down onto bare styrene?

[Vette Modeller]

Frog Tape. If its not the same tape that Tamiya use then its a close relative even down to the orangy-yellow color. Comes in a roll that is about an inch wide and 60 yards long so one roll will last a very long time. It even comes in a nice plastic case to protect it from the dirt of your modelling bench. I pick it up at Wal-Mart in their paint department.

[cjsbosox]

I was thinking of trying Home Depot's HDX tape. The rep explained to me that its adhesive is 100% acrylic, so it will never leave any tape residue like 3m, scotch or any other tape which use solvent based adhesives. It is also low-tac

[ricrosar]

Originally Posted by HeWhoKillz

what would you do to properly prep it? primer?

Originally Posted by sohchx

Yes, Primer is essential and will give the paint something to hold onto. Have you been laying your base coat down onto bare styrene?

As sohchx said primer is key. I my also add that you really need to wash the car body with some dish washing soap and plenty of water to remove oily residue (mold release agent). Scrub every part of the body with a soft brush.

Rick

[HeWhoKillz]

Originally Posted by sohchx

Yes, Primer is essential and will give the paint something to hold onto. Have you been laying your base coat down onto bare styrene?

Of course not!...ok maybe I have. I have only done two cars. The first I just used red acrylic and a brush. I haven't had anything go wrong with it but it is kind of hard to not have streaks showing. What kind of primer works best for plastic?

[corvettekid_7684]

The blue 3M tape is NOT compatible with lacquer paints!

[sohchx]

Originally Posted by corvettekid_7684

The blue 3M tape is NOT compatible with lacquer paints!

Someone would be crazy to use that on a model lol. It's made for house painting.

[sohchx]

Originally Posted by HeWhoKillz

Of course not!...ok maybe I have. I have only done two cars. The first I just used red acrylic and a brush. I haven't had anything go wrong with it but it is kind of hard to not have streaks showing. What kind of primer works best for plastic?

Oh I see what the deal is now. You just got into the hobby? What you need is a full paint tutorial.

These links will get you on the right path.

http://www.scaleautomag.com/How%20to...0Part%20I.aspx

http://www.scaleautomag.com/How%20to...Part%20II.aspx

[corvettekid_7684]

Originally Posted by sohchx

Someone would be crazy to use that on a model lol. It's made for house painting.

I used the blue low tack "delicate surface" to hold the doors closed on my countach. The adhesive pitted the paint. I wouldn't use it for masking directly, but you dont want it touching paint at all.