Masking sharp curves and 3D corners?

[Captain Mark]

Hi all,

I've got some quite sharp U-bends and three dimensional curves to mask (or template for carbon fiber decals). I'm really at a loss and somewhat daunted by the task - I've just got no idea for an easy-ish way to do it.

I'm not after a quick fix as such, just a 'fix' would be good. Masking tape just won't bend around these corners.

And if I'm to make a masking tape template for the CF decal, I'm worried about destroying the nice surface of the body when I cut the template away.


Ideas anyone?
Cheers,
M

[nniemi]

Don't know about the templates, but my solution for masking those tight curves where masking tape doesn't work is bare metal foil. Sure it is a bit expensive stuff to use as masking tape, but it works.

-Niko

[Captain Mark]

How exactly would you go about using it?
Doesn't it come in big sheets?

Now that you mention it I have heard of this method before, but I'm still not sure exactly how people do it.
Any advice on this would be great.

[klutz_100]

BMF is awsome for masking difficult and small areas where tamiya tape is too thick - cut a pice off the sheet and burnish it down as you would regular tape and trimm off if necessary.

However, based on my limited experience, it's not going to work very well for making a template. It'll go on the part fine but it'll probably tear when you want to pull it up and transfer to your CF decal - BMF is ULTRA thin and doesn't take well to being handled too much If you already have some BMF givet it a try though, i'd be interested to hear how it went.

IMO if the parts you want to CF are so small, you might be better off just freehanding a small piece of CF and dry testing to the part?

Sory I can't be of more help

[sjelic]

Only one solution, liquid mask, there are several products from Gunze to Revell.

[mickbench]

Masking is hard to get right, and even harder to make a template for laying down on CF decals. I use Liquid Mask in SMALL amounts when masking tape won't lay down just as I want it. Such as a tight corner. I lay the tape down as close as I can get it, and then apply some liquid mask. I learnt this trick not long ago, when I asked the same as you. I was struggling with masking really bad.

Liquid mask won't be much good for a template though. If the part is small, try painting the part semi gloss back, then place mesh over it, hold the mesh down tight, and then airbrush gunmetal over the top. Remove the mesh, home made CF. I tested these out when I read it on the tamiya tips site, and it works. But use a low pressure and hold the airbrush further away to stop it moving the mesh. Perfect for small hard to CF parts.

[klutz_100]

BTW don't forget that microsol is really good at getting your CF decals to set into place