Window Trim Masking.. I did it..!!

[mickbench]

I've just used Tamiya 40mm and 18 mm maksing tape, plus X 18 in an airbrush on a VERY low pressure, shot a few mists of black over the body, waited 10 mins, shot a more wet coat waited 20 mins, removed the tape, and the results are, IMO Fantastic. Not a single leak, and no snags etc.. For me, it's PERFECT.. For others the lines I made using a knife acorss the tape might not be as perfect, as it was only my third attempt at window trim masking.

My first two attempts I used a brush with masking tape. It was RUBBISH. To all newbies, DO NOT use a brush. It never worked for me. Airbrush, first time, great results.

I now know why lots of you swear by airbrush.. It's fantastic. I'm now airbrushing so much of my model parts I only need small tip brushes for details etc..!! I'm happy tonight..!!

Sorry, this is one of those success posts. Too many not worked posts, from me included, so time to post a "it worked" post..!!

[PyRoTeKniKz]

congrats....now only if I had an airbrush lol

[rx7king]

that sounds often, if i only i could get in the groove

[primera man]

Congrads on the good job.
Not all of us have air guns, me included !!
You can get just a good result from a brush if you do it correcty.
Just tape the same way as you spray, but put on a thin brush coat first. Run the brush the length of the tape, dont brush the paint up to the tape on the first coat as this just builds the paint up along the edge and will "tear" the paint leaving a jaggered edge.

[RallyRaider]

Just kiddin', good show

[mickbench]

Originally Posted by primera man

Congrads on the good job.
Not all of us have air guns, me included !!
You can get just a good result from a brush if you do it correcty.
Just tape the same way as you spray, but put on a thin brush coat first. Run the brush the length of the tape, dont brush the paint up to the tape on the first coat as this just builds the paint up along the edge and will "tear" the paint leaving a jaggered edge.

I used your method twice, and both times the tape leaked. I'm in total awe that you are able to brush paint the trims, as I just don't seem to have the skill like you do with a paint brush and masking tape.

I guess everyone has a style they like. I'll use an airbrush from now onwards, as I got on better with it. It is a shame I couldn't get the brush method working, as your way uses WAY less masking tape..!!

[sjelic]

I don't use tape at all if there is a panel line or any hard line that devide trim from body. I first make very deluted black colour (like for panel lines) an let the paint in the panels or any other lines (just be sure to hold the model in the metter that colour runs down the line. Affter that I just use very thin brush, since you allready have the border, just brush the middle part on. Of course body must have solid clearcoat on it in case you make a mess you can easily wipe it of (clear acrylic and trim enemal).
But I am happy for you that you finnaly made it right, allthou when I have to mask (no sharpe line to put deluted colour (like that trim on clear parts) Pman's way always work for me, the thing is paint should not be deluted for this metter.

[primera man]

Originally Posted by mickbench

I used your method twice, and both times the tape leaked. I'm in total awe that you are able to brush paint the trims, as I just don't seem to have the skill like you do with a paint brush and masking tape.

I guess everyone has a style they like. I'll use an airbrush from now onwards, as I got on better with it. It is a shame I couldn't get the brush method working, as your way uses WAY less masking tape..!!

What tape did you use?
I tried pain house hold tape and that did leak but once someone told me to use the Tamiya tape i haven't had a problem as long as the edges are will pressed down

[mickbench]

I used Tamiya tape. I used X 18 straight from the pot, brushed it on as light as I could, but leaked everytime. In fact my last attemt was so poor that back paint ran under the tape and left a solid black line at the bottom of the tape. It looked so bad, I had to try something else.

sjelic has a good point about diluted paint running down the line. I have actually used this before, not for window trims, but for painting round cricles in the dash etc.. Diluted paint, placed in the edge and the paint pulls around. Gives a really nice clean circle.

[Hiroboy]

Originally Posted by primera man

What tape did you use?
I tried pain house hold tape and that did leak but once someone told me to use the Tamiya tape i haven't had a problem as long as the edges are will pressed down

The diffence could be P'man uses Enamel and MikeB uses Acylics,
Must say I airbrush mine with either.
But glad it working now

[99civichic]

I'm still living in the stone age, I brush paint my window trim...without tape. It looks okay I guess...?


Needs a little touching up.

[Ferrari TR]

It's good to hear a success story!

I paint trim both freehand with a brush and with my airbrush. My preferred masking method is to use Bare Metal Foil. As always when using BMF, a steady hand and a new blade are helpful.
for the freehand work I use Model Master Black Chrome with a drop of thinner in the paint in the cap so I have just the right consistancy of paint for smooth flow. Clean the brush often or you may get lumps and let each coat dry or additional coats may lift the first ones.

[Alvindj]

umm any pics on ya masking? always have problem im masking esp on the curvy edges of the window arcrylic trims